Don’t love any nursery… which factors are more important when deciding on one?

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Please help me figure this out.

option 1: fun, friendly and warm staff members. Small rooms with limited accessible toys, toys and rooms are a bit worn out/grubby. They go outside daily (garden and out and about in the community). Room ages are 0-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4. Some apprentices but never counted for ratios.

option 2: much larger rooms, more accessible toys and feels like the rooms are set up better for the children. Staff are less warm/friendly and more professional in nature (though my child does reach their arms out to keyworker and doesn’t cry on drop off or collection). Limited/no daily outdoor time. Higher turnover of staff and a fair amount of apprentices / agency staff. Sometimes has 5 hours between nappy changes. Room ages are approximately 0-15 months, 15m-2y, 2-3, 3-4

I have reservations about both nurseries but options are so limited in my area, i have to pick one. What factors matter most do you think? Would you pick option one or two?

If you look up their inspection reports, can you see how many children they are licensed for in each age group? That would take into account the floorspace requirements. Care Inspectorate reports in Scotland show these, but I'm not sure about the rest of the UK.

In general, though, I'd agree, happy, consistent staff make a huge difference, and good outdoor time is really good for them as well.

There has to be a certain amount of of space per child and this changes through the age groups.

Engaged, caring adults are the most important resource in a nursery so nursery that has well established staff is better than brand new toys but transitional staffing.

Outdoor space is so important for children, especially when they aren’t at home moving between rooms, but in one room all day long.
I asked what would happen if my child was crying and so were 2 others, the nursery worker replied that she had 2 arms and would call a colleague for help. In the second nursery I was told, you get to know which ‘children cry for nothing’ which ‘children always demand attention’ and which ‘children only cry when they’re really hurt so need picking up’. It was many years ago but I remember going home and saying to my OH that I didn’t know if our baby was going to cry too much or just the right amount!
You can guess which nursery he went to!
Happy staff usually means happy babies/children and, therefore, happy parents/carers!

Option one all day long. It sounds very similar to the nursery we ended up using. I think adults notice tired rooms and toys but kids don't really. It's all about the people around you when you're small and some fresh air. The tired/ smallish nursery we used with the amazing staff were even better than we'd expected- they put huge amounts of energy and love into activities and I was constantly amazed by the extra things they'd do. The kids would run in happy every morning to cuddle them.