Choosing a nursery is one of the biggest early decisions for parents returning to work. Here's how to approach it.
Ofsted ratings
Check the nursery's most recent Ofsted report at reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Outstanding and Good are the ratings to look for. Read the actual report, not just the headline grade — the narrative reveals a lot.
Questions to ask on visits
- What is the staff-to-child ratio?
- What is the staff turnover rate?
- How do you communicate with parents day-to-day?
- How do you manage transitions (drop-off/pick-up)?
- What is your approach to discipline and behaviour?
- How do you support children with additional needs?
Red flags
- Staff seem stressed, disengaged or ignoring children
- High staff turnover
- Reluctance to show you around fully
- Vague answers to specific questions