Nurseries

[bigbee]

Hello lovely ladies,

We've left it a bit late, and are only just starting to research nurseries in our area.

I am planning to contact a couple next week to see if we can have a look around and then get on a waiting list.

Sooo, my question is - what should I look for in a nursery? The one I'm interested in has a 6 star rating, but apart from that, what else should be important?

Thanks x

 

[kumber]

They should have an open door policy, you should just be able to turn up and have a look around. Be wary of anywhere that requires you to book an appointment. There's a curriculum they should follow depending on age but I can't for the life of me remember what it's called. You also just get a feeling for a place, follow your instinct.

Ohh, and ask about their Calpol policy too.

 

[caseysmummy11]

When looking at nurseries for my son. The one I picked just felt right. They had good staff who all speak to me and are really friendly (the one I had to send my son to before while he was on the waiting list for his current nursery the manager was awful and some staff just ignored me and didn't do half the stuff they said at initial walk through). Also another thing is to check the first aid training, paediatric first aid training is a must for me. But overall it's what your gut tells you xxx

 

[hayes]

Defo go with ur gut instincts u will know what feels right fir you.

I worked in a nursery fir 13 years n I'm now a childminder. I have to totally disagree with kumber we cud never have had an open door policy booking was a must as it ment someone was free( normally me being supervisor) to personally show them round. Ask any questions u want write them all down before hand if u want they won't mind or shudnt mind u asking anything.

They will prob have information to give u n shud explain how they follow the curriculum as everyone must do learning journeys on each child's development n follow the early years foundation stage.

Above all see u makes u n ur child welcome n relaxed, n don't forget childminders we r fab too lol.

Michelle.x

 

[iWitch]

What do you mean by 6 star rating? Who's the rating by? We only have the ofsted reports to go on here.

All should display their policies etc so they're available for you to read.

Remember just because a place is new or newly refurbished does not necessarily mean it's good and clean. Better nurseries may have decided to spend their money on other important resources...you can tell if a place is clean or not.

Their security is obviously an important factor for everyone. I would have liked to have been able to drop in randomly when i was looking but for security reason ours do not allow unscheduled appointments to look around. When I thought about it I preferred that.

What activities do they do? Do they have outdoor provisions (My lo loves to play outside!).

How long are they in the baby room for? Is there any wiggle room if you feel your child isn't ready to move up to the next bit?

An important one for us was the separate sleep room! There was no way my lo would have slept if he was able to nosy at everyone!!

Like Michelle says your gut will tell you what you need to know

 

[Pumpkin9]

I agree with Hayes and Iwitch.

I would recommend trying to see them all in a short space of time so they are fresh in your memory. We picked 4 we wanted to visit and did it over two days. The nurseries we visited wouldn't allow us to visit during certain times (mainly meal time as it was disruptive) but were very open and honest about how everything worked.

Security, health and safety and food provision were all very important for is as were the play facilities and how the nursery staff came across. In the end it was a close call as to which one out of two we picked so I went with my gut instinct and Picked the purpose built nursery with a good ofsted report. Turns out the other one which was in a much older converted building gets damp and winter and some parents had complained.

 

[Mummybexee]

The curriculum is EYFS - early years foundation stage !

Agree with iwitch

I too disagree with kumber. My son goes 4 days a week and I have comfort in the fact only booked appointments are allowed in nursery. I don't want randomers on an 'open door ' policy strolling around the nursery taking the time of staff that should be spent being attentitive to my son.

Booked show arounds shows organisation and planning - all of which are key to a nursery.

The children's engagemebt in what they are doing will also show you if they are enjoying it - if the kids look bored or upset there's something not right

All the usual policies, ask for copies, Google their ofsted reports, ask for activities they do, day diarys etc? I have one each day that tells me bottles food sleeps activities etc

Good luck - you'll know in your gut

 

[Mummybexee]

Yup and agree with pumpkin ! Food was a biggy - all home made on site - I have a monthly menu in advance for his lunch and tea - breakfast he has porridge and toast because of meds - otherwise I'd have a menu for breakfast aswell

 

[Mrs_T]

I made an appointment to look round my sons nursery, i preferred that to just showing up as the room manager showed me round and answered all my questions.

Things I'd ask
- food and menu
- are things like nappies and sun cream included?
- where/how do babies nap?
- are babies' nappies changed as and when required?
- when do they move rooms?
- are parents free to look at learning journeys (the paperwork they complete to show how each child is progressing according to the EYFS curriculum) xx

 

[Mrs_T]

I made an appointment to look round my sons nursery, i preferred that to just showing up as the room manager showed me round and answered all my questions.

Things I'd ask
- food and menu
- are things like nappies and sun cream included?
- where/how do babies nap?
- are babies' nappies changed as and when required?
- when do they move rooms?
- are parents free to look at learning journeys (the paperwork they complete to show how each child is progressing according to the EYFS curriculum) xx

 

[littlemonkey]

Don't forget childminders! I'm totally biased though cos my son goes to a childminder!

For all the ratings, reviews etc I have to admit that gut instinct was probably the biggest deciding factor when we picked our childminder. I just didn't feel comfortable with leaving my son in the nurseries we looked at. There were little things like at one none of the staff other than the manager would speak to me, that rang alarm bells straight away.

I always remember the first time I met with our childminder, I just knew straight away I was happy and comfortable with my son going there.

 

[Mummybexee]

Mrs T - it's highly advised and encourages by all bodies that a child's EYFS folder / development is discussed regularly with parents. There should be no reason at any setting to side this! It's very standard across nursieres - I think id struggle to find a nursery that didn't share the child's development with the parents :/ if you know of any - I'd advise reporting to local authority as its against child's interests x

 

[Mrs_T]

Lol ok so it's a very bad sign if the nursery doesn't do this OP

Thanks mummybexee I was just reeling off as many things as I could think of xx

 

[bigbee]

Thank you all!

I am going to see one tomorrow. They do have an open door policy (apart from meal times!), I get what you are saying about booking an appointment though...

Will update you all tomorrow. thanks again!

 

[Mrs_T]

Good luck!