nursery checklist

[StarMeKitten]

I'm going to look at nurseries for my 16mo next week & am going to make a list of questions to ask, so what should I be asking?

Ask ALL the staff things.

Bear in mind that the member of staff showing you round will be hand picked for their ability in getting parents to join up. Just because they know what they're doing and is a nice kind and caring person doesn't mean all the staff are. At most nurseries a call will go up as you approach the building "PARENT!" at which point all the thick, useless, mean and just plain ugly staff will get shoved into a cupboard, only to be let out when you've gone.

Ask different members of staff things like:
Why do you work with children?
What happens if my DD/DS has an accident?
What is the sickness/diarh runs policy?
What do you do in the garden?

Don't forget to look at the other rooms your child will go in when bigger.
Keep counting children and staff.
Babies up to 2 1:3 ratio.
Aged 2-3 1:4
3+ 1:8

Avoid nurseries with more than 12 babies in a room or 16+ toddlers. Avoid nurseries that mix 2 - 5 year olds.

What's the daily routine? When us naptime, where do they nap, when are mealtimes, where do they eat? Is there daily time for music, reading, outdoor fun?
How do they communicate with parents?
What's the safeguarding policy?
What's the food like? See menus
How do they deal with biting, tantrums etc
Is there space to leave a pram if you need someone else to pick him up?
What is the annual staff turnover like?
What do Ofsted say?

Thank you both, very helpful!