what to look for/ask at a nursery visit for FTM

[Eggbert12345]

FTM and I need to start exploring childcare options for January 2026. Really limited options in town where I live and some well regarded nurseries in local villages have long waiting lists with unborn babies on etc. Please could I have suggestions for what to look for when viewing nurseries and/or childminders? And any specific questions to ask?
Baby is only 3 months old and I'm finding it stressful to think about returning to work already but the upcoming funding increase to 30 hours seems to be causing panic amongst parents locally. Please don't tell me I should have had baby on waiting list from conception which with hindsight I now know and feel bad that I wasnt across this sooner! Stressful, anxious IVF pregnancy and I couldn't think much past thier safe arrival.😬 Thank you

How long the staff have worked there. That would be top of my list.

First Aid training
Daily Routine
Ratios
Food
Outdoor space

I asked my ddcwhovworks in a nursery.
To look at
Staff interactions. Are they appearing to over act it or be over the top a it may be put on due to show round. Do the interactions look natursl.
What type of activities they have out. Dies their seem to be anything that looks like spontaneous activity eg a colouring activity and does it look refreshed. Messy play is it well set up or does it looks as if it's been out for ages.
Older rooms from age 1 up is there any play dough out as it is apparently a heavily suggested unless there's contagious disease like chicken pox in the room. It helps develop motor skills and can prepare with skills for writing. and is something Ofsted apparently pick up on.
Sleep space - preferably separate from the main room. Babies unable to stand should be in cots. Their should be space around each bed/ sleep space with no cot etc pushed iup against a wall.
Questions to ask.
What is their room ratio - if they dither it can be a red flag. What is max capacity in the room and how many do they have on average.
What do nursery provide and what do you have to provide.
What is the feeding schedule - do they follow yours or have set feeding times.
Allergies.
Comforter policy eg dummy, special toy item for sleeping etc.
Do they allow your own nappy cream - some won't accept medicated creams like sufocrem or metanium because they're medicated.
Policy on sickness. What is their exclusion policy on certain illnesses eg chicken pox or hand foot and mouth. Calpol policy when and for what do they administer it.

My most important questions for nurseries for babies would be - how many babies are in the room? What's their max number? (Anything over 9 would be a no for me personally but 12 is probably ok).

How often do babies move rooms? If they're expected to move frequently eg 3-12 month room then a 12-18 month room then a 18-24 month room it suggest the nursery doesn't understand or value attachment for babies.

How long have the staff been there, and specifically how long have the staff in the baby room been at the nursery, what are their qualifications - some nurseries view baby rooms as being the least important/most boring job so it tends to have a high turnover of staff and new/ least qualified staff, apprentices - they can work their way up to better gigs with older children and then the staff in the preschool room will be the most highly qualified staff.
Again, just gives you an indication of whether the nurseries values and prioritises babies.

With childminders it's more about whether you get on with them personally and whether your parenting style aligns, so ask about whatever is important to you (outside play, safety, discipline, food, TV) and just see if you click.
Where will babies sleep, what's her normal routine, do they do school runs, do they walk/drive.

For childminder, talk to the staff at the school nursery class your child will go to. They know who is best.

Thank you all, really helpful suggestions 😊

Read all the Ofsted reports.
You get a gut feel for both nurseries and childminders. Watch the nursery staff and see how they interact with children. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even what you think are stupid questions. The reactions to questions or how they answer them will give some indication of the type of setting they are i.e. if they are dismissive of your question or don't answer it compared to someone that is completely open and answers everything.