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Day Nurseries

Day nurseries care for and educate young children during the normal adult working day. They may be private or state run and cater for children from 3 months until about 5 years when they are ready for school.

Things to consider when choosing a nursery

Welcome - Are the staff warm, friendly and welcoming to you and your baby/child. Do the staff seem happy, relaxed, calm, confident and well presented? Do they seem enthusiastic and really engage with the children?

Key people - Will your child have a key worker that will oversee your childs welfare and wellbeing and help them to settle in. What is the ratio of staff to children?

Location - Is the Nursery close to you or is it on route to your work? If not, do you really want to traipse across town and back every morning before work?

Children - Take a look round when they are working so you can see the children being cared for. Do they seem happy, content and well occupied? Are the staff involved in the childrens play. What ages are the children being looked after? How many children in each age group?

Day to Day - What will be you baby/childs daily routine at the nursery? How is lunch/tea milk time/sleep time managed? What activities take place, how will your baby/child be stimulated, will they have story time. What is the general structure of the day? Is water freely available though the day?

Meal times - What sort of meals are provided for the children? Are they healthy and well balanced? Are the menus changed on a regular basis? How do they deal with fussy eaters or children that don't want to sit still?

Behaviour - How do they handle unacceptable behaviour? Do they praise good behaviour and when your child tries hard.

Cleanliness - Is the nursery clean and well maintained? This includes general areas, kitchens and toilets.

Outdoor space - Is there a safe enclosed garden or outside space with toys for the children to use? If not how do the children get fresh air and play outdoors?

Play facilities - Is there a good selection of  play equipment (sand pit, painting areas etc.) toys, books and dressing up for your child to play with.

Daily record - Will the nursery provide a daily record of your baby/child's day. This should include what they have done, eaten, when they slept, how much milk they had, dirty nappies etc. etc. 

Safety and security - What are the Nurseries security procedures?

Settling in - Do they offer a settling in period so you can leave your child for brief periods?

References - Written references are good but you also need to speak to a previous parent and a current one.

Ofsted Reports - All nurseries are inspected by Ofsted you can view their reports here.

For more information take a look at the National Day Nurseries Association, a national charity supporting day nurseries across the UK. Or at Hertfordshire's Children's Information service.

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