Mumsnet newbie, please help!

[JoMonty22]

Hi mumsnetters! My mummy friends have raved about this site so thought I'd give it a go. I have a question for you all...what do you look for in a nursery for your little one? Say, the 3 most important things? If you could suggest an improvement to your child's nursery what would it be? I'm asking because I'm going to need to place my child in nursery and have no idea what to look for but know I don't want a big room with a load of children shoe horned in. If I'm going to pay that much money I want something a bit different!
All help welcome. Thanks everyone.

Committed professional staff firstly
Secondly committed professional staff
And thirdly committed professional staff
:)
The building, the resources are not important
Its the attitude of the staff and you can't measure that

Personally, I would never put my children in a nursery. Home/family environment of a CM for me every time.
If my kids can't be cared for by their own mum, I'd far prefer them to be looked after by someone else's mum to a school leaver doing an NVQ in child care. (I know I exaggerate, but you know what I mean).
(Also know this is not what you asked).

I sent my daughter to a nursery that was lovely and nurturing, and it was fantastic for her from 2-3, but in retrospect as a winter born girl she was bored for the last 12-18 months before school. So I'd want to know, as well as all the lovely cuddly stuff for the tiny ones, what do they do for older ones who want to learn?