What to look for when visiting nursery?

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Hello all,

I'm visiting a nursery tomorrow. My baby is currently five weeks old and I don't plan to go back to work until about nine months but I need to start getting my head around leaving him somewhere

Does anyone have any tips on what to look for/what to ask tomorrow?

Many thanks.

Absolutely no to choosing a nursery without seeing it with the children and babies there - can't believe they would expect that!

You need to watch them interact - and see the atmosphere etc and whether the children seem happy

Here is a tip - when I took my then 14 month old son for his first visit to one nursery they told me to stand back and watch while he played - instead of watching how they interacted with him I chose another child to watch. As I expected my son had lots of attention as I was there - but the other little boy I focused on wandered off unwatched -it wasn't a bad place just a bit disorganised -

So you absolutely have to visit and spend as long as you want watching what goes on

Also trust your instinct - if you don't feel comfortable go elsewhere

I chose a childminder and she is amazing - the little group of 3 toddlers are like brothers and sisters now - and when her own children come back from school they all play together - her house is spotless she cooks lovely food - bit mostly she adores each child and my son gets the kind of care he would get from a close relative

Good advice from waterrat, especially about watching a different child.
I go with gut feeling.

As someone else has said, might a childminder be better for you initially? Ds has been with his since 9 months and has developed a lovely bond. He has thrived within the family environment as it's like home from home. He will be going to nursery 2 days a week from January now that he's 3. I loved that they are completely child centred, look at how they all learn rather than what they learn, allow rough and tumble for older children and have free access to their wonderful garden which has lots of activities and things to do. He is going to love it!