How to choose the perfect nursery

Choosing the right nursery for your child is essential to his or her early years development.

To help you do that, we’ve compiled the following tips. It’s not an exhaustive list, if you have any to add please do so in the comments below!

Research

Speak to friends with children in nurseries and your health visitor, local children’s centres etc. Online directories (e.g. daynurseries.co.uk), parenting sites, nurseries’ websites and social media are also helpful.

Write a check-list

Create a check-list before you visit so you can ask the same questions at each visit and then easily compare after.

Visit multiple nurseries

Visiting a few different nurseries will help you to compare and get a feel for which one is right for your child. You can learn a lot just by calling to book a visit. Were they friendly and professional? Answered all your questions? Accommodating with dates and times? During your visit make sure you look at all rooms, not just the one your child will start in. This will give you a good feel for the nursery and how children move through it as they get older.

Allow time

Give yourself plenty of time to research, visit and choose a nursery. Some nurseries have long waiting lists so check this as early as possible.

Trust your instinct

You know your child best so trust your feelings and instincts to help you choose a nursery they will thrive in.

What to look for:

Clean, safe and stimulating environment

The nursery environment is crucial to your child’s happiness and learning. Is it clean, bright and airy? Well laid-out? What resources/activities are available? Too many toys and displays is distracting – children should be able to make their mark on the space. Look for natural materials such as wood or hessian rather than too much plastic. Ask about outdoor space and if this isn’t available check there are regular visits to local parks.

Happy and well-qualified staff

Look for fun, friendly, and approachable staff. Find out how they’re encouraging the children’s learning and development. Ask about qualifications, staff training, ratios and the key worker system. Observe the children currently at the nursery – do they seem happy and well cared for?

Healthy food

Ask to see a sample menu, and whether food is prepared freshly on-site each day. Check that dietary requirements will be met. If the nursery doesn’t have a chef, do they provide healthy snacks and teas? Breakfast?

Safe surroundings

It goes without saying that your child’s safety is priority. During your visit ask about their safety precautions. Answers should cover age appropriate toys and equipment, staff ratios, risk assessments, cleaning procedures and safeguarding policies.

Connection with the community

Children should feel part of their local community and understand their place within it. Ask how often children on outings and where they go. For example, LEYF nurseries make regular visit to local shops and businesses, community centres, elderly care homes etc.

Partnerships with parents

You should receive daily updates about your child’s day and regular communication on their development and progress. How and when does this happen? Are take-home activities provided to develop learning at home?

Approach to learning

All early years providers follow the government’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) so the nursery should explain this and how children’s development is recorded and planned for. Ask how activities in the nursery are chosen. Are the children involved?

Find your local London nursery with the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) www.leyf.org.uk/find-a-nursery