To ask what you value in childcare/childminders?

[m4rdybum]

Sorry, shamelessly posting for traffic as the childcare forum has zilch replies.

We are due to go and look at a few local nurseries in a couple of weeks, in preparation for me going back to work at the end of my maternity leave.

I just wondered if there was anything that I should ask, or look out for at the tour? So far I have;

• What body are they registered under and how good are they on that scale? (We're in Wales, so I think they have something equivalent to OFSTED).
• Earliest drop off and latest pick up times
• Cost
• Info on meals provided
• Info on activities
• Are children separated into ages?
• Schemes like childcare vouchers

Would it be unreasonable to ask if they offer a couple of hours free as a 'taster' for my DD? There was mention of this at one when I called to book.

Anything else?

How they communicate with parents. We get a daily email listing key info (what they are, when they napped, what snacks they had) plus some photos

• nap policy - do they stick to set nap times or can they accommodate your home routines, also what will they do to settle a child down for a nap
• screen time - how much each day and what is it?
• behaviour policy. Do they use time out. What would they do about biting.
• have a good look at the outside area and ask how long children spend outside, and do they still go out if it is raining

Also ask to see their complaints book, every oftsed registered place should have one.

Nurseries tend to over exaggerate how often they go outside, it's a lot of their policies to go outside every day come rain or shine but few actually do.
I'd ask about the key person system and how that's set up ie is the key person assigned before the child starts or do they wait and see who the child goes to more.
I'd ask how observations are done and about focus weeks.
Ask how toys are chosen ie do they plan for the toys out each week and there isn't much lenience or do they ask the children what they want out every time a new toy or activity is chosen.
Nurseries will always try to show themselves in the best light and say all the things that they aim to do but in reality that's quite different usually so I'd try to watch what's actually happening as well as listening to what they're saying.
In the south west settling in sessions are offered usually for free and that gives you a sense of how your child will take to nursery (although remember if it's your child's first time they will be teary no matter what and often won't go bounding in smiles on their face first session).

I always make a point of asking how long the people I'm speaking too have been there. Generally in chit chat, but finding out about staff turnover can tell a lot.

Nappies & wipes - do they store a bundle at the nursery or do you have to provide them every day

Do they operate their ratio per room or overall through the building?

Do they bring in outside activities (jo jingles, rhyme time) and if so how often? This can be a big extra cost if they do a lot.

Do they take the children out for walks etc and if so how often?

Also key for me is their policy on hugging/lifting children. One locally has a policy where staff absolutely do not touch the children at all and it's the coldest place I've ever encountered.

Also - do they have a social media page/pages and how do parents access that and is it private or public?

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have used 2 childminders for my now 9yo DD since she was five months old. Both had their own children there as well and were caring and it felt like she was with family. She has been with the current one since she was 3.5 and started nursery attached to school. Childminder has child the same age. She is very active and constantly at the park, allotment, activities etc. Lots of activity which i really value. Is strict but also very caring. I feel so lucky to have found two that I trust so much and I wanted a "home" environment rather than than a nursery but that's just me. I am also lucky that in nine years I have had the childminders unable to take my DD on 3 occassions - once as her dad died and twice for illness (once her own and once he child's D&V) which I know can be a big consideration.