Questions about nurseries

[Nursery20231]

I went to view a nursery today for the first time for my little boy. He will be 22 months when starting in January. I plan on viewing a few more but just wanted to ask here to see what’s considered normal/good.

1. Since my son will be nearly 2 when starting, would it be a big transition for him to go from the baby room (0-2) to the main room (2-4) ? I looked at both rooms and they seemed so different. Apparently the main room is a lot more structured and since there is older children I’m not sure how well he would transition from the chill baby room to that and was wondering whether he’d be bette off just starting in the main room.
2. Which leads me to my next point, is it bad/good/neutral that he would be with pre schoolers at just 2?
3. There was no open access to the garden. They have a massive, lovely garden but I guess they must use it at structured times. I’ve read that ‘good’ nurseries have open access, is this a big deal if it doesn’t? I understand the benefits of outdoor time but not sure if this open access thing is actually common practice.

First time mum and I don’t know much about all this but want to make the right decision so any insight/opinions would be greatly appreciated:)

Our experience was the transition from baby room to toddler room at age 2 was a big change. Our DD had been there since she was 6/7 months and never had issues at drop off but the change in rooms really threw her. They said it's common for them to struggle with it at that age. She settled after a couple of weeks but it was difficult. If they are proposing he starts in one room and moves to the other 2 months later I'd be inclined to start him later straight into the toddler room if you can, just to avoid more change. If you can't though, so be it, they should support you with it.

Re the 2-4 group that's not how ours is set up. Pre-school is separate so they move to that from the toddler room when they turn 3. It does seem quite a big age bracket to keep all together. Are other nurseries around you set up the same?

I love the free flow outdoor aspect of our nursery. They seem to be outside all the time so long as it's not torrential and she comes home filthy and happy. However, so long as they have the space and can demonstrate how frequently they use it I don't think the lack of free-flow itself is a major issue. Did they give you a reason why they don't have free flow access? Personally I'd want assurance re the amount of time they have to access outdoors daily as I think it is important for children to be outdoors, active and learning about the environment/nature from a young age. Different priorities for different parents though, depends on how much value you place on it really as to whether this is a deal breaker.

It is a tough decision but I would suggest visiting a few and go with your gut. It's not always the smartest ones with the best facilities on paper that feel like the best place for your child. You do get a sense of knowing whether a place is right for them I think.

What time of day did you visit?

I've worked in several nurseries for children aged 2-4. In each of them there was 'free flow' between inside and outside, throughout the day, but there were times when outside was not available eg before 9.30, when all the children were arriving and getting settled, 11.30-12.30, when children were washing hands, singing songs, having stories, eating lunch etc. and then again towards the end of the pre-school day to allow time for organisation of those children going home.

So the majority of time free flow was on offer, but not all the time.

@SErunner Thank you yes, I can see from observing today that the vibe of the baby room and main room are completely different so can understand how your little one struggled transitioning, and I expect my boy may as well. His current childminder is leaving end of this year so have no childcare Jan-Mar if I wait till 2 so not really an option although it is awkward as most nurseries here do baby room 0-2 so he will be moved soon regardless.
Outdoor time is definitely important, I’ve studied the benefits and noticed them myself in him so we always try to spend at least an hour or two outdoors a day. I would be disappointed if he wasn’t getting this or more at nursery, especially since it’s £120 a day! I didn’t ask why they don’t do free flow so kicking myself now.

Free flow as in they can just wonder off? Ours has a garden, cordoned off per age group, and the kids (including the babies) can insist on going out (on top of morning and afternoon garden time), but the staff put on their shoes/weather appropriate clothes first. Wouldn't be keen on my 2 year old pootling off to play in the puddles in December with no shoes on because she was excited and forgot!

2-4 is a huge age gap, is that 100% right?! Ours has babies, then 2s, 3s and 4s - roughly according to development. For example, our oldest didn't start eating until almost 2, so he was kept with the babies a bit longer for the much smaller groups at meal times, with the staff who knew him best.

@Littlefish I was there 14:45 - 15:35. So obviously not that long but it didn’t look like anything was going on during that time for them not to be outside iygm?

I prefer childminders the children get out more and get to go to different places.

In a 2-4yr olds' nursery, if lots of the children were doing a standard sort of school day, then that's the sort of time they may not be outside.

It's definitely worth asking the nursery to clarify how much time the children are offered free-flow.

Ah I see. I would ask the nurseries you're viewing how they will support the multiple transitions he will have to make in the first few months then. Hopefully their responses will be helpful in your decision making.

I think out of what you've said the 2-4 grouping would concern me most. Is it a small nursery? They are such different ages - I imagine needs would be better met in a setting that separates them more if that was an option. Worth seeing the set up of other local alternatives?

@Blessedbethefruitz the staff monitor the free flow and support with shoes, wellies, coats etc as needed. I've never seen a child wandering round cold and barefoot at our nursery! In fairness once they are able enough to get out quickly most of them know the drill of shoes and coats on as needed. I would press them a bit harder on outdoor time to get the detail of what they do. If it's very restricted or I didn't have confidence it was a priority for them, that would make that nursery a 'no' for me personally.

Ours has free flow so they can go outside when they want to (or at least most of the time, with shoes and coats on!). Ours also has more rooms than that (0-1, 1-2, 2-3 and then 3+ for preschool) but they have some sessions where the rooms are mixed. Each transition takes a while to settle so maybe fewer would be better but I think 2-4 is pretty big... Is that when they turn 2 or when they are nearly 3 though? If it's when they are nearly 3 that might be ok?

I would definitely look at others. Ours had baby room (baby to 18mths confident walking to move up) 18mths -2.5/3 moved when ready so around 2.5 but some later dependent on needs (pre school didn't have daytime nap so was often a factor). Ours also did a transition for as long as needed. Started by visiting and playing in new room with staff from baby room then as settled spent more time there. They knew when they were ready as the child would choose to start their day in new room and didn't want to go to baby room anymore! It was really seamless and dd was happy at each transition.