Viewing Nurseries

[elliej83]

I'm going to view two nurseries for my little boy who will be going from 6 months. Both ofsted outstanding.

What questions did you ask / wish you'd asked when you viewed?

I wished I asked more about if they do schedules or they change babies when their nappies need changing. I wish I spoke more with the workers in the room that baby would be in and I wish I would have sat in that room for a lot longer to watch how things are done. Also, ask about curriculum etc.

From working in a nursery for 12 years, I would also say stay as long as you possibly can and then longer! Staff can be on their best behaviour for a while but stay as long as you can and watch how they interact with the babies. Do they respond to the babies needs straightaway?
Do not be impressed by lovely premises, look at how long the staff have been there, a high turnover is not good.
Check their staff ratios are good and not all trainees, any trainess we always had as over and above the minimum required ratios.