Sending DC to nursery without meeting/visiting first?

[FTEngineerM]

Our DC is just about 7 months old and will start nursery next month for at least 1 day/week then move up to full time.

But.. they won’t let us in to meet them/see the facilities. We’ve had pictures but that’s all. They’ve also offered a chat over the phone but, I really wanted to see the ‘vibe’ before sending DC there, it’s not our only choice.

This one is more suitable location and availability wise, so I’m really keep to get him in it. Whilst he’s so tiny and can’t communicate things to me I think it’s even more important that we check it out ourselves.

What has everyone else done? I can’t wait for CV19 to go before sending him, I need to at least go back by May at the latest.

No way would I send my baby somewhere I hadn't viewed. When we visited ours we had masks on and could only go in the corridor and then look through the windows to see the rooms.
We did get to go in the baby room and see the garden as no babies were in.
A lot of places are offering online tours or after nursery hours visits but I don't think you can get a feel for the place unless you see it "in action."

I’m just reading up on all of this as I’m in the same position. No idea what you’re meant to do, seems like such a huge decision to make without seeing the facilities but so many of them aren’t offering tours right now

@Annabell80

No way would I send my baby somewhere I hadn't viewed. When we visited ours we had masks on and could only go in the corridor and then look through the windows to see the rooms. We did get to go in the baby room and see the garden as no babies were in. A lot of places are offering online tours or after nursery hours visits but I don't think you can get a feel for the place unless you see it "in action."

That sounds like a very sensible approach your nursery have taken....At the moment unfortunately there’s no way can nurseries let prospective parents and children look round when children are present..... parents trust these nurseries to keep their children as safe as possible in these Covid times.

I'm sorry, but good nurseries will find ways around this problem. We have a virtual tour on out website, and invite parents to see us in the garden. We make sure we social distance, but it gives them the chance to meet some staff, get a feel for the place, and look into the rooms through the doors.

Nurseries are allowed to have essential visitors in. So we do let one parent in, with a mask, for the initial settling visit. It is vital for children and babies development to settle well, and they need to see the parents being happy in the room to feel safe. They won't feel safe being handed to strangers at the door, they need time to meet us and get to know us a little.

We keep other children in the garden, or a different part of the room.

After that parents dont come in again.
I cant wait till we can welcome them in properly again, but until.then we have to do our best..

My mum works in a nursery and said the children who are starting at the moment (with no settling in sessions with parents) are actually settling really well - better than expected :) hope that helps x