Visiting is the best way to get a feel for a nursery. Try to see at least two or three, and go at a busy time of day if you can. You can save the ones you like with the ♥ button and compare them side by side.
People
- Who would be my child’s key person? How long have staff been here?
- What are the staff-to-child ratios in each room, and how do you cover breaks and sickness?
- What qualifications and training do staff have, including paediatric first aid?
Daily life
- What does a typical day look like? How much time is spent outside?
- How do you handle naps, nappies and potty training?
- Is food cooked on site? How do you manage allergies?
- How will you tell me about my child’s day?
Settling in and support
- How do settling-in sessions work, and are they charged?
- How do you support children with special educational needs or disabilities?
Money
- What are the fees, and what’s included? What extras do you charge for with funded hours?
- Do you accept Tax-Free Childcare? Can funded hours be stretched across the year?
- What notice do I need to give, and do you charge for holidays, bank holidays or sickness?
Before you visit, read the nursery’s latest Ofsted report and parent reviews on its NurseryHop page.
Sources
This guide is general information, not advice. Rules can change, so always check gov.uk.