How To Choose The Right Nursery For Your Baby Or Toddler

The day your baby or toddler starts nursery will be emotional for the both of you. Whether you're going back to work after maternity/paternity leave or you simply want your child to experience the developmental benefits of nursery, it is something worth considering. While preschool is by no means mandatory, many parents choose for their little ones to attend for socialization and school readiness; but how do you choose the right setting?

Many factors influence a parent's choice of nursery, including budget, location and curriculum. Above all, you will want to pick a setting with your child's best interests at heart, so consider the following guide to choosing a nursery.

Location

Location is one of the first things you will consider when looking for a nursery setting. While you may be comfortable with going out of your way for the perfect setting, opting for a nursery close to your home or workplace is generally advisable. Not only will this make drop-offs and pickups a lot easier, but you will be closer to your little one should they need to be collected due to illness.

Free Childcare

In the UK, all 3 to 4-year-olds are entitled to 570 free hours of childcare annually, spread out as 15 hours a week over 38 weeks of term time. Your child may even be entitled to 30 hours per week, depending on your household income, employment status and other circumstances. While some childcare providers may be able to offer you the full 30 weeks of free childcare, other private settings may only provide the option for 15 hours due to budget constraints.

OFSTED Rating

It is always worth reading a setting's latest OFSTED rating before you make a solid decision. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills, or OFSTED, is a non-ministerial UK government department responsible for regulating childcare and educational facilities. Nursery settings will be inspected once every six months to gather information regarding the quality of care and education provided in accordance with the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage. Upon inspection, OFSTED will publish a detailed report available to the public, along with a rating from grade 1 (outstanding) to grade 4 (inadequate).

Welcoming Atmosphere

First impression count. Consider how you and your child are greeted upon arrival to a potential setting. Good nursery staff will greet prospective families with an open, warm and friendly attitude. You will generally be offered a tour of the setting to gain an understanding of daily practices and procedures. During a tour, staff should explain the function of each room and introduce you to the childcare practitioners who will be responsible for the care and education of your child.

Excellent Facilities

During your tour of a potential setting, you can gain insight into the quality of care your child will receive. Consider the setting's facilities by asking yourself vital questions; for example, “are the toilets safe and accessible for potty training children?” and “is safe sleep practiced with breathable cotton baby blankets ?”

Furthermore, consider whether or not children have access to a safe, enriched outdoor environment. Regular outdoor play is crucial for childhood development in terms of motor skills, creativity and understanding the world.

Attentive Staff And Happy Children

The staff define the quality of a setting. A high-quality environment will pride itself on the presence of caring, attentive and professional childcare practitioners. Most settings will assign a Level 3 qualified key worker to each child, and ultimately, your child's key worker is who they will go to for comfort, reassurance and any other of their physical and emotional needs. While you are receiving a tour of a setting, consider how the children and staff interact with each other - do the children seem comfortable and happy? If so, you can rest assured your child will be left in good hands.

Educational Activities

While the base requirements for nursery settings include providing a safe, comfortable environment for children, development and education are equally important. A worthy setting delivers a range of enjoyable educational activities tailored to each child's unique developmental needs. Nursery activities will generally cover one or more areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum , from Communication and Language to Mathematics.