What to look for in a nursery?

[Clipsy2121]

Just looking for some advice and ideas really.

My daughter is 3 and has been at nursery since she was 11 months old. She’s had phases where she’s enjoyed it, particularly as a young toddler, but has often had times where she really doesn’t want to go - now being one of them.

I’ll admit that the setting isn’t the best for her. It’s very big and noisy, and she’s a quieter, more reserved kid. But it was also the only one nearby with space at the time.

We’re moving to a new area soon and so I’m looking at new nurseries for her. It’ll be her preschool year so she should spend it just in one room rather than being moved about (this has happened every 6 months at her current nursery, due to the size).

What should I being looking out for? What did your kids enjoy about their nursery? I feel like I didn’t really know what to ask first time round and would love us all to have a happier experience this time.

At 3, it would be how much time do they get outside? Do they go outside in all weathers and not just once a week in the winter if it’s been raining? Do they have a forest school? Is it a calm, warm, nurturing environment?

She’ll be going to school soon and things will change a lot them, more structured, less time outdoors, less free play. I’d want wherever she is now to be very child led, with lots of time outdoors, not an academic setting. She’ll be drowning in phonics in a couple years. Outdoor free play would be what I’d be looking for and an environment that feels warm, calm and nurturing.

Bonus if they provide a hot cooked lunch and communal meals and it’s not too much of a pain to get to.

Outside time and facilities, trips out, staffing & their qualifications (we had a trained teacher in the preschool room and she was great), what they do to prepare for school (independence, not necessarily learning), what sort of activities they do, what the toilet facilities are like.

Ask Ofsted about correspondence they hold about the setting which isn't shown on the website.

Could you imagine spending several hours each day there yourself? Does it feel relaxed and cheerful? Do staff seem happy and as if they like children? If those things apply ask the other stuff.

Thank you all so much, this is really helpful!

Makes me realise our current nursery is doing lots of good stuff (child-led, plenty of time outside) but it’s still just not a great fit. Weirdly I think my daughter probably likes the structured activities bit as she’s quite shy and gets a bit lost during free play.

As for whether I’d want to spend time there - I think I’d quickly feel overwhelmed by the amount of bodies and noise being made! So maybe it’s about size and space.