[BNM] [OT] nurseries

[Jason Bailey]

> Does anyone know of any child-care/nurseries they'd recommend, or avoid -
> either Brighton TC or out to the east?

Hi

Realising that I'm probably saying the same as others.

++1 for book early on anything. You probably need to book now or earlier 
for September.

You can get child care vouchers from your employer. Providing they've 
signed up to it. If not then I think you can ask them. Basically you can 
get something like 50-60 quid a week (per child???) in vouchers. The value 
in vouchers is taken off your gross salary before you pay tax on it. So 
you're paying less tax as you've taken a salary cut (but you're getting 
vouchers).
<http://www.childcarevouchers.co.uk/index.asp>

Also there's some tax credits stuff which others have mentioned and I still 
haven't worked out the interplay between tax credits and child care 
vouchers.

The term *following* your child's third birthday you are entitled to 
paid-for sessions. I think it's six or five. Generally they don't cover 
lunch and I don't think the session is the same as what a nursery might 
think of as a session. 2 paid for sessions may (not sure) cover a whole 
morning and afternoon (oops someone has already said that sorry). Our 
nursery is sorting it all out for us.

I'd recommend the SureStart in Hollingdean but I'm not sure it's TC or East 
enough for you. It's got a brilliant offsted report. It's not very hippy or 
right-on (no green nappies and you might describe the area as, ?errr? well, 
not Hanover but I did hear some well-to-do parents talking about it on 
Sunday in Queen's park of all places. Sorry I'm getting all 
working-class-hero now but it's a good place with a real mix of children.

Our friends are currently looking at 5-ways nurseries and I think this has 
had the best ofsted mark for teaching and learning out of the lot.
See: 
<http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/portal/site/Internet/menuitem.7c7b38b14d870c7bb1890a01637046a0/?event=getReport&urn=EY284309&inspectionNumber=141442&providerCategoryID=2&fileName=\\ey\\CB\\INT_EY284309_29122005.xml>
(Not sure why it says Broadstone Christian Nursery in the browser title 
bar???)

"...The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Staff have an 
excellent knowledge and understanding of the Curriculum for the Foundation 
Stage and the Birth to Three Matters framework. This results in children 
being offered and benefiting from an extensive and comprehensive range of 
worthwhile, interesting and stimulating activities and being able to use an 
excellent range of good quality toys and resources...."

Really nice space and lots of space outside. Unfortunately the cafe has 
closed which used to supply good food. The nappy supplier also went bust 
too. About 10 minutes walk (up big hill) from Moulsecoomb station. 8 till 
6pm if you want it.

jas