What to look for at a nursery viewing??

[ZingingCutie23]

Hello, hoping someone can help me out with what to look for / look out for at a nursery.

My son is 2.3 and has only ever been looked after by me. He is my PFB and was a very much wanted IVF baby (our last chance, so our only child) and I'm far too over protective of him due to this. However I am going back to work for 2 days a week in September and my mum will have him for 1 day but we need a nursery for the other day.

I have a viewing to look around one that is very conveniently located. What are the kinds of things I should be checking for, asking them, looking to see that they do or don't do? I am clueless! And very apprehensive about leaving my son with someone that I don't know!

Thanks in advance for your help.

When I have viewings at he nursery I work in I try to tailor them to the needs and concerns of the parents
So I will find out before they come the age and if they have been in a setting before or if they they have any allergies etc
Then I can reassure them about their biggest concerns
Whether that is being left for the first time, settling in, sleeping, eating etc
So have a good think about what your concerns are and ask about those things that may worry you

Happy children, and nursery staff who are actively engaging with them.

Everything else is secondary!

I think you need to start off with finding out if they allow 1 day a week places. Many places require 2 days minimum to help settling in.

Thank you for your replies.

The nursery know that I'm only after one day and were fine with that. I don't want to (and can't afford to, when my mum looks after him for free) do anymore than one day - I hope that won't be a problem for him. It's just to help him socialise really - I though it would be good for him.

I'll write a (long!) list of my concerns and try and not sound too crazy when I talk to the nursery about them!

Thanks for your help - much appreciated.

Happy, engaged kids. If there are any kids that are upset that they aren't being ignored.

Happy kids and attentive staff. Open space and outside space and a variety of activities/toys out

I think you just get a feel for a place. The first place I looked at was quite corporate and talked a lot about ofsted. I'm a teacher and couldn't give a shit about ofsted. I just want my dd to have fun and be cared for. They seemed to have a set spiel as I alluded to my lack of regard for ofsted when they first brought it up but she kept bringing it up. Place she's gone is in a kind of portakabin type building and she loves it there. Staff turn over is a good indicator too.

I think if they have 'come visit any time, but avoid our busy times of day like lunch' is a good sign. It would put me off if I had to book an appointment.

Usually the standard spiel will cover the basics about the rooms, how they handle the basics of food/sleep, how they structure the day, what types of activities the children do etc.

I always ask about staff turnover, how many staff are NVQ qualified, how much time the children spend outdoors, how they cater for dietary issues, how they move between age groups, how many children are at the nursery / in each age group etc.

And I look at how happy the children are, how the staff are interacting with the children, how clean it is, how orderly it is (not neat, but children need to be able to find things), how many children are playing independently, how relaxed it feels, etc.

You do get a gut feel I think.

Ive worked in nurseries and those that do one day only struggle to settle than those doing more days, do.u hAve the option of two half days? So ur pfb settle quicker

I always look for happy kids and lots of outdoor space for them to play in. Not cramped into small rooms. I also ask about what kind of food they serve, if it's made on the premises etc.
You tend to go with your gut tbh