What would you change about your childcare setting? research help wanted

[newslady]

Dear Mums and Dads,
For those of us out there who use nurseries, pre-schools or any form of childcare for their 0-5 year olds? I would really love to hear from you. I am currently doing some research for an article about childcare settings and I would be really grateful if you could send me your views.

I want to find out one or more things, no matter how trivial they might seem, that you would change about you childcare setting?
Examples, other that the cost of course, could be: themes, activities, energy levels, how the rooms are divided, toys, staffing ratios, feedback on your childs? day/session etc etc?

I would like to put some research together on childcare settings and I want to get you, the parents, perspective on what matters to you and the choices you make for your child.

please get in touch - thank you

[ivy30]

Apart from staff who are kind and caring (and that is the most important thing), my thoughts are:

• staff ratios 1 adult to 6-7 children for preschool and 1 to 3-4 for toddlers
• meals cooked on site from fresh ingredients (supermarket pasta souces do not count as such)
• separate area/room used for sleeping only (even in preschool) with beds or proper mattresses
• large outdoor garden (children should spend at least couple of hours outside every day, unless it is raining)
• everyone (staff and children) HAVE to change shoes/ stay in socks indoors, even in summer. Outdoor shoes should be for outside only

I was happy with the range of activities in my child's nursery.I would only add that children should have some one-to-one time with the carers.

[ruddynorah]

i think you're supposed to put this in media/non media requests.