What to consider with a nursery?

[AGoody]

Hello

First time posting! I'm due in September and have started looking at nurseries. We've just moved to Fetcham, near Leatherhead. What are things I should be considering? Any top tips? Any local experience would be great too.

I've viewed two so far, one independent and one small chain. The independent one concerned me that babies sleep in a separate room where you can't see through the door. They had a monitor but the two staff members in the room weren't actively looking at it or had it near them. The larger nursery had a sleeping area with glass walls so you could see in.

Am I being overly anxious? (First time mum and it's not been easy to get to this point, so conscious I may be a little anxious over things!).

Thanks!

They will be checked regularly. Don't forget these babies/toddlers are older so as long as safer sleeping guidelines are followed, they will be fine with regular checks. Do you plan on watching your 1 yr old constantly when they sleep?

No, I don't plan to, but the difference in approach between the two nurseries just made me question what is normal in nursery settings!

Oh it varies wildly, I don't think there's a normal, really. My DS's nursery doesn't have a separate sleeping area! Whereas another locally had a separate room blacked out with a fan and soft music playing. However, it also strapped the children in to chairs for lunch time, which I didn't like the look of. The one we went with manage to feed a gaggle of babies and toddlers without restraints.

I think the main things to look for is happy children and staff turnover. They'll all look a bit scuzzy but that's also normal.

Everything else is a preference - do you want them to provide lunch or would you rather send your own in? Is an app important to you? How far are you willing to travel? Etc.

Ok, you said it concerned you. I just wondered why.

Most differences are just personal preference about overall which setting suits you, and your baby, best.

Comfort and instinct were my key decision makers. If something felt off even if I couldn’t quite understand why it was a no for me. Also staff, if I didn’t like them then I wasn’t letting them take care of my DDs.

My oldest had a childminder before we moved her to a nursery/preschool so she was able to say what she liked enough for me to take note.

Dds 2 & 3 both moved nurseries, first because the nursery lied to me and gave her food I’d strictly said no to. My youngest moved during covid after her nursery closed down, but I was already considering moving her and had her on another waiting list. It was a very sought after nursery, but very cliquey, children excluded if the parents face didn’t fit and I wasn’t in love with the setting, it always smelt damp. She never fully settled but as soon as she moved she loved her knew setting, she was 2yo.

we visited a lot of nurseries, many ruled out simply because I didn’t get a good vibe from them.

You need to look at how their "philosophy" (for want of a better word) matches yours. If you want your child to spend a lot of time outdoors, whatever the weather, pick one that allows that. If you aren't happy with them going out of the nursery to the park etc, don't pick one that does that regularly. Look at how they do routines and room moves, age groups etc

Also remember you are looking for your baby, your toddler and your preschooler unless you plan on moving them. They will have different needs.

Finally, look at childminders as well... neitheris better really, it all comes down to preference.

Thanks all for your input, really appreciate it!