Childcare Directory - How to choose

Finding a Nursery for your Child can be difficult and stressful. This guide will help make the process easier. Our goal is to provide the information needed to make the best choice for you and your Child.

It is always a good idea to start early. Give yourself at least three months or more, if possible, to find the right Nursery to suit you and all the needs of your Child. Some Nurseries have long waiting lists. You are the best judge of your Childs needs.

First of all ring round a few chosen Nurseries and vet them over the phone. Have a list of questions you want to ask. For example,

These are only a few examples. If they gave you the answers you wanted to hear then make your decision as to which ones you would like to visit. Inspections and accreditation are no substitute for your own judgment.

When you do visit, ask plenty of questions. We recommend that you visit the Nursery more than once and at different times of the day. The first time on your own so you can focus your complete attention on the Nursery and its provision. Take your Child with you on the second visit so you can see his/her reaction to the provision and how he/she interacts with the staff and other children and observe first-hand activities for your Childs age. The second visit also allows you to ask any questions you forgot to ask on the first visit.

This part is available as a downloadable document (click here) which you can print and take with you when you visit your chosen Nursery.

Is the Nursery bright, airy and colourful?
Does it look clean?
Does it have orderly, clean work areas?
Are there safe indoor and outdoor areas?
Is the outdoor play area fenced in and has a variety of safe equipment?
Can the Staff see the entire outdoor play area at all times?
Are there defined areas for resting, stories, art and craft activities, is there enough space for the Children in all these areas?
Are Children supervised at all times in the toilets and at nappy changing times, do the toilets smell clean, is the changing mat disinfected after each use?
Is hand washing practiced, is there liquid soap, is there a towel or are there paper towels to dry hands?
If a towel is used, how often is it changed?
Are there separate cots for babies and separate beds or mats for toddlers?
Are the room temperatures comfortable?
Are healthy snacks and/or meals provided?
Is the Kitchen clean?
Are cleaning materials and medicines kept out of reach of Children?
Do you agree with the discipline practices, how is good behaviour encouraged?
Is the Nursery Ofsted Registered and is the certificate displayed?
Are surprise visits by Parents encouraged?
Ask to read all policies and procedures?
What is the process with regard to illness or the Child is picked up by a person other than the Parent or late collection?

Are the Staff warm and welcoming?
Do they greet your Child and discuss your Child with you?
Do they treat the Children with respect, flexibility and patience?
Do the Staff get down to the Childs level to speak to them?
Is there enough staff in the room to meet the needs and serve all the Children?
Does each member of staff have a Childcare Qualification?
Are Staff trained in First Aid?
Will staff always be available to answer your questions and deal with your concerns?
Are Parents ideas welcomed; are there ways Parents can get involved?
Will Staff tell you what your Child has been doing every day?
Do the Children enjoy being with the Staff?
Is there a low Staff turnover?
Is there a Key Worker System, how many Children does each Key Worker have?
Do Staff regularly attend courses to further their Childcare qualifications and keep up to date with all Childcare issues?

Are the activities suited to each age group?
Is there enough equipment in the room suited to each age group?
Are the toys and equipment safe and clean?
Is there a balance between play, structured play, story time and rest?
Are the toys and equipment kept on low shelving for the children to choose what they want to play with or kept stored away and only a few things got out at a time?
Can you see a weekly plan of the activities displayed on the wall?
Are there activities that help fine and gross motor skills, creativity, cognitive skills and social skills?
Is Children’s work displayed on the walls?
Is rest time supervised?
What is the daily routine?
Do all Children participate in all activities, are any left out?
Do you see laughing, caring, sharing, and generally happy Children?
Will your Child be happy there?

Trust your feelings and observations. In the end it is the Nursery in which you feel most comfortable and your Child seems most positive about.

Once you have selected a Nursery, work closely with the Staff. Talk often and ask about your Child’s progress, what activities he/she enjoys, and how he/she gets along with the other Children to make sure your Child enjoys the best Childcare experience.

Thank you for all your positive feedbacks to date. Please don't forget to add any comments or suggestions you may have. Liz.

Feedback given on 06/06/08
Usefulness : ,,,5
Comments : These are fantastic questions and observations parents should be making when deciding the best nursery to put their child in. Personally speaking i am a nursery manager for children 6 months - 5 years and all the questions outlined above are available in our prospectus which we give to parents on their first visit, we also recommend they come back with their child a second time and also spend a morning or afternoon with us so they can see our routine first hand. We have a very good keyworker and buddy systym in place at our nursery where parents can talk to their child\'s keyworker as and when they wish for that extra feel of trust and security. Generally speaking go with your instinct when you first walk into the nursery you will know what i mean. A home from home environment with friendly qualified and approachable staff is always a good starting point and also reading a settings Ofsted report will rule out the nurserys good and bad points. Hope this helps

Feedback given on 23/01/08
Usefulness : ,,,5
Comments : as a first time mum this time in my daughters development is crucial and can become quite stressful and emotinal trying to do the best for her, but the infomation on your site has really supported me and will help towards finding the right placement for my princess. thank you. Emma Mum TO Harley-jay

Feedback given on 07/11/07
Usefulness : ,,,5
Comments : a good checklist pointing out common areas of concern as well as those less obvious ones.

Feedback given on 6/11/07
Usefulness : ,,,5
Comments : Useful info, should have had this at my first visits to the nursery but a second visit will be arranged with my daughter as suggested and I will take my list! Thanks Claire

Feedback given on12/09/07
Usefulness : ,,,5
Comments : Hi im a first time mum and very nervous about sending my little girl to nursery but this site has built my confidence as i now know hat exctly to look out for to be asured that my daughter will be well looked after. Thank you i will keep u updated on my progress...lubna

Feedback given on 21/08/07
Usefulness : ,,,5
Comments : FANTASTIC. SOME OF THE QUESTIONS YOU WOULDN\'T EVEN THINK OF. I WILL PRINT IT OFF AND TAKE IT WITH ME.THANK YOU

Feedback given on 02/03/07
Usefulness : ,,,5
Comments : Thank you for an outline of what to look for reading through this list i would not of thought of half of these points

I have lots of feedback but many don't leave comments so Thank You to those who have. It is great to have your comments. Thank you. It would also be nice to put a name to them too!
If you leave a message here asking a question, I'm afraid I can not reply because I don't know your email address. If you have any questions at all about the list of questions above or anything else to do with Childcare Directory please click on the email link at the top of every page. Many thanks Liz