Nursery viewings - what to look out for and which questions to ask?

[Cinai]

I’m expecting my first baby and I have some nursery viewings booked. They told me to ‘come armed with questions’. Being a first time mum (well, not even that just yet), do you have any advice what I should look out for and ask?

Most importantly to your gut. Visit again once you have had your baby as what you think you may want before your baby is here may not be the most suitable for your child’s personality.

Definitely go with your gut. I just kept it simple - was the nursery clean? Would they keep my child safe - excluded a couple on those grounds. I am a big nursery fan (childminder years were grim) and found two great ones on instinct.

I'd look at distance from where you live (walking distance is best if possible), look at Ofsted ratings, ask for them to point out some babies the age you plan yours to be when you go back to work (e.g. 12 months, or however old, so you can visualise yours a bit), check about flexibility of days (do they have the days you want?), look around at the babies and toddlers, do they look alright? Do they have snotty noses, are they crying, how do the nursery staff talk to them, does the place look clean? Go with your instinct but it's alright to do a second viewing nearer the time once you know your baby! We chose my eldest babies nursery cos he was an outdoor boy, and they did lots of outdoor play. My younger one is less interested in being outdoors so this was less important.

Yes, I was thinking I should go again once child is here. I’d probably have a lot of questions around how a nursery can meet my child’s particular needs once my baby is here, but it all seems a bit theoretical at this stage.

Do they follow your routine or their own?

Do they support baby in going to sleep at nap time, so holding baby if needed?

What if baby needs more than one nap a day by the time they start - how flexible are they?

How do they manage allergies?

Can you drop off and pick up at any time?

Whats their sickness and calpol policy?

How many children in the room?

How much time do they spend outside?

Do they help teach them how to use cutlery and cups?

If you’re still breastfeeding, what’s their policy on giving breastmilk?

Opening and closing times
How many first aiders on site
Number of qualified and unqualified per room
Adult to child ratios
Do children go offsite for outings?
What is provided by nursery and what do families have to provide (food, nappies, wipes etc)
Staff turnover