How to choose a nursery?

[MeganC20]

Hi all. How did you go about choosing which nursery to send your child to? Did you just Google to see which were near you, use a comparison website or ask a friend?

Are they normally hard to get into?

Thanks in advance!!

Googled nurseries near me and then arranged viewings. I have two children who attended different nurseries (as we had moved house by time DD2 started nursery) and on both occasions I knew straight away when I had found the right nursery, was a bit like viewing a house when you get that feeling you know you've found the one you're going to buy.

Some do have waiting lists so it's best to view and get your spot/days secured.

Thank you! Super useful. And I suppose you just had to take the chance that they had a place?

Similar to @MBM18 , looked up those around us, checked generally what they offered (good garden space was important to us, for example), asked around a bit, but the visit is key. View all the rooms – your baby will soon become a toddler and then a preschooler. Are the children busy, happy, and engaged (most of them, obviously the odd one might be upset )? Are the staff engaging with them? Those two are top for me, although of course you also want to see that they have suitable toys and activities, a good nap space for the tinies, etc.

Spaces depend on the nursery and the part of the country, but given the pressure on the childcare sector, I'd get your child's name down as soon as you can make an informed decision. Certainly places got tighter at our nursery between DD1 and DD2.

Googled what was near me, requested viewing of them and then went to see them. Asked about their safeguarding policies, how they managed difficult behaviours, what approach they took towards learning, how they decided to move children between rooms, menu, indoor and outdoor facilities and toys, how clean and organised it was, how happy and confident the kids there were and how the staff interacted with ds, asked about price and if they do wraparound care for any primary schools in the area.

I googled and spoke to local mums.
The first I visited it felt like I was given a tour by a female car salesman, like i was a number. Nope.
The second had all the bells and whistles, Forrest school, Pet rabbits, baby sensory, but hundreds of kids (20 in the under 1 group, eg). I thought it was a yes.
The third, the staff showed my DD round and played with her. It was much smaller (6 under 2s) but it was the staff interest in my DD that did it for me. They may not have had forest school or all the mod cons, but they were interested in her. Until I saw it, I didn't realise it was what i was looking for. Almost a year on and she loves it there.
My advice is visit loads and keep an open mind.

As others googled and then rang up to view!

I seen 3 and my gut was with one and it's been amazing.

With the new funding I'd enquire about a place as soon as you decide. I've just had to pay a reservation fee for my baby starting next Feb!