Visiting nursery: what questions to ask?

[Wombat33]

Hi all, I'm visiting a nursery for the first time this morning looking for childcare for my dc1 who will be 12 months when they start. What questions should I be asking when I visit? It's so difficult to know who to leave her with :(

Bump

I didn't want you to go unanswered as I know how difficult this decision is. I'm no expert, but I looked at the rooms - do they look fairly clean and nicely decorated with displays of children's artwork etc.? I also looked at the interactions between staff and children, and whether the children seemed happy and confident. I asked about whether the children are free to move between activities, what adult led activities do they do, whether things like nappies and food are provided, and looked at menus.

Too late for this morning's visit but hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along soon to help in time for future visits. I found that I could discount some nurseries just based on a gut feeling that they wouldn't suit DD, but I was left with a few that seemed ok and it was really hard to choose between them. We ended up picking the one with the best food and the most space as we didn't know how else to choose, but now I'm thinking of changing as in hindsight I think one of the others had a friendlier, more caring atmosphere. Not much help but I just wanted to let you know you're not alone in struggling with the decision!

Personally I wouldn't worry too much about what you should ask, because they should be able to tell you everything you need to know without being promoted..
But you will know weather or not you like it after about 10 mins.

A bit late for your visit but you might have some more lined up.
The one thing that should be in your mind when viewing nurseries is would I want to come here if I was a child?
Each nursery has a different 'feel' about them. The nursery should feel welcoming, homely, friendly and fun. If you don't get that feeling, then walk away.
Practical questions you might need to ask may concern
opening hours
bank holidays
menus
fees
activities offered
whether nappies and wipes are included
how much deposit is needed
and whether they have a waiting list
you could also ask them about their latest ofsted report and when the next one is due

Is the Manager approachable, friendly, open to ideas! Actually there..
A good nursery is led by a good manager, likewise a satisfactory one is led by a satisfactory one, basically a nursery is only as good as its leader.

Thanks all. Very useful advice! Still a difficult decision though. Basically I don't want to leave her at all

I'm in the same boat as you... but for the fact that I have now seen 11 nurseries! They've all been good in some ways, but not good enough for me to leave DS there.

I'm beginning to think the most important thing is the staff. Look for a good manager, as nurseryvoice says. If they're bang on it, the chances are the rest of their team will be. I've been asking about tea breaks and lunch hours (some lovely "outstanding"don't give their staff proper breaks... quite shocking really. Nursery workers are paid naff all anyway, and to think they don't even get a cup of tea? I wouldn't want someone who's been on their feet with 8 preschoolers for 4 hours on the trot looking after my boy that's for sure). You get a pretty good idea whether the staff are happy when you ask that one.

I'm also looking for good staff retention. The place I liked the best (loved it actually, despite the physical building being quite crap) had a manager who'd been there for 14 years. She was amazing, and the place was too. As we walked around she held the hand of one of the little girls and made paper planes with some of the other children. Nothing seemed like too much trouble to her. That's the kind of thing I'm looking for.

Good luck with your search, it's not easy is it?

Once your hold settles in nursery you wont want to change, so try looking into the future a bit. Ask about outside space and how much time the children spend outside. My eldest child went to a very posh nursery ( they offered ballet and French and computing) but they had set outside play times. My youngest has a nursery where the doors are open all day and they are free to play inside or out as they please.. For him its perfect - he plays out all day. I would ask about about their educational provision. Some daycare settings take it more seriously than others. Also ask about outside trips. My eldest sons nursery they went on little trips to the zoo and did a nativity play. None of that sort of thing at younger child's nursery.

Also ask how many children would be in a room maximum. it can be quite scary how many they cram in some places..

Don't go to a nursery with more than 12 0-2 year olds, or 16 2-3 years olds in the same room.
Don't go to a nursery that mixes 2-5 year olds.
Don't go to a nursery that can only let you look round on specific occasions.
Don't go to a nursery that take your child off you at the door and take them to the room because it's their policy not to let adults into the baby room.
Don't go to a nursery that talks for more than 20 seconds about Learning Journey books.
Do not go to a nursery with no outdoor space,
Or with an outdoor space which hard to access.

Be very wary about nurseries with interactive white boards.
Be wary about ones that have 3 or 4 rooms for one age group. (Apart from dedicated sleep rooms).

Check to see if their colouring pencils are all blunt.
Check to see if their books are in good shape.
Look for unwiped noses.
Ask as many staff open questions as possible. They will ALL be looking after your child.
"Why did you want to work with children?"
"Why are you doing that?"
"What would happen if...?"

Ooh Tiggy great tips. What are learning journey books? The ones where the staff write about the children? I am so with you if so. And I would add, don't go to a nursery where they show you one belonging to one of the current one there, where you can see the child's name clearly marked.

Also, don't go to a nursery where the manager tells you that once a term they have a parent's day where everyone gets pissed .

I went to one nursery where a staff member actually wiped my son's nose on a visit. Reading this, I've just moved that one back up the rankings!

Tiggy I'm wounded
"Don't go to a nursery that mixes 2-5 year olds" why? I do it great!!

perhaps ask how they deal with complaints/queries/issues.

I love that at my DDs nursery, she is greeted by name when she arrives, no matter who is on door duty. The manager is very hands-on and my DD often stops for a hug from her as we leave.

If you're considering the same nursery until your child starts school, then ask about wrap-around care, before and after school clubs, trips out etc

Learning journeys are children's development/ proof of learning books. It should be a small part of a nursery, but some nurseries are Learning Journey factories which look after the children second.

ask how many unqualified agency staff they use!!!!this is very important at this time of year!!!! check the toys are all in good clean condition see what the outdoor area is like. Do unannounced visits watch your child play from a distance and how the staff interact with the children. Ask what the behavior policy is. That is all i can think of for now oh and how often the nappies are done if this has all been covered sorry

i worked i a nursery and two very young staff members were telling each other to shut up across the room where the children were eating it went you shut up no you shut up etc.....i wondered who the children were !