What to look for when searching for a good nursery??

[sus19]

Is the Ofsted report the most important thing to look at?

Arrgh no! Personal recommendation and visits. Ended up being a SAHM, but I visited one nursery and wanted to leave DDs there and then, others I just wanted to cry.

And good food too, not a sample menu that uncludes jam sandwiches

nope. not in my opinion.
I think the absolute most important thing is gut feel. mother's instinct if you like.
it counts for a lot. somewhere with lovely staff, who are friendly and interact well with the children.
somewhere you'd be happy leaving them.

it might not sound much but you;'ll know what I mean once you start looking around

Personal reccomendations, low turn over in staff, being able to just turn up to come and see rather than book an appointment, happy children and gut instinct.

I didn't even look at the Ofsted report. We just made an appointment to visit 4 local nurseries and went by gut instinct.

Two we liked equally but one of them was more convenient for work (and happily the cheapest of the 4). One we expected to love and hated it. Despite all its fancy equipment and beautiful gardens all the toddlers looked like scared rabbits and the girls in the baby room (a) didn't smile at us and (b) were ignoring 2 crying babies

you may have things that are important to you, like particular opening times, a garden, a chain/ independent, the menu, so you may find that one ticks more boxes than another.

It was little things yep. A settling in young toddler had a worker just for them the whole time they were there. They had strange mats with little legs to sleep on and the owner ran with a joke about the 2-3 yr olds sleeping in them while they were stacked up. The children wore slippers while there and the nursery staff looked at me funny when I asked if they would apply the children's sun cream (as in, 'of course'). Parents were encouraged to attend staff meeting and make suggestions or even pop in to do an activity. All added up.

somewhere that doesn't make you view by appointment. i.e. is happy to show you around whenever you pop in and doesn't put on their best show for visiting parents.

fantastic tips thank you all so much for replying - gut feel the way ahead and go and see as many as poss. Thanks again

Beehive Which nursery is this - I'd like to sign up