What questions should I ask the nursery - going to view a few oin a couple of hours

[MammyShirl]

going to place my dd in a nursery for two days a week and going to view a few today for the first time, can you tell me what questions i should ask...
security
how many carers per child/same one?
what are their meals?
routine?
sickness/hoiidays

thanks

useful guidance on how to choose here .

Have they got a place free???!!!
It seems to always come down to that in the end.
No seriously, I think ask all you think of, but in the end you're likely to go by instinct, we certainly did. But do consider the convenience of getting there and back each day too - it is actually owrth going to a slightly less nice one 5 mins walk from home or work rather than the poshest one possible 30 mins drive away and more at rush hour, in my opinion (obviously there is a minimum standard you'd accept though).
Also price - there can be huge variation, and take into account things like whether you pay for holidays etc.
V. pragmatic me!!!

mammyshirl, as well as asking questions, make a mental note of what you see/hear - we went to one nursery where it was v quiet...a bit spooky! so didn't send dd there. we were v happy with our choice and now both dd's go there, 3 yrs on and I help out on the management committee there.
I would also ask about how feedback is given, how much children play outside (if they have an outside..), and how challenging behaviour is dealt with (!)

Good luck. In the end it was just the feel of the place that did it for us. We liked the friendliness of the staff and children. We didn't like the one where staff were gossiping and ignoring the children!

You'll base your decision on the feel of each place, but look out for:
daily report cards (what they ate, times of sleep, nappy changes)
named keyworker for each child - and how much interaction you can have with them
Staff turnover v. v. important - also how much staff like working there. I figured our nursery must be good when I found out lots of the staff do a 1 hour commute because conditions are much better than their local places

Look at the loos

Do the staff and children seem happy, are they smiling etc

Age/experience (i.e. not JUST qualifications) of the staff?
Staff turnover? (probably one of the best indicators IMHO)
How much time the children get to spend outside?
What's their policy on colds/minor ailments/medicines/sending children home?
Turnover of children? How many get moved to other nurseries rather than leaving to go to school/moving house, etc.

Can I just add that for us having young staff was a good thing to look for and has proved to be an asset. DD adore them and them her. They are young, full of ideas and energy and don't mind getting stuck in with the kiddies. I think looking at staff turnaround is more imprtant than staff age IMO.

Do you get any 'free' holiday time?

Look around and see what 'feel' you get. Is there children's work adorning the walls - even in the baby and toddler rooms? Are the children happy and enjoying themselves? Are the staff smiling and enjoying themselves?

How did it go MammyShirl?

Just to add. When we trawled nurseries last year for dss, we came down to two and found it difficult to choose between them both. An experienced carer (ex nursery manager, and childminder) suggested calling at the nurseries unannounced to see what their reaction was. One nursery would not let me in at all even though the manager knew me and I had visited the day before. The other one couldn't have been more welcoming at a really inconvenient time (lunch). We obviously choose the welcoming one and have never regretted the decision. Feedback from other mums also confirmed our choice.

BTW I agree that young staff are an asset as they have loads of energy. Th staff at our nursery are mainly early twenties and I have yet to see a change in any staff member which is brilliant.

Good luck.

When I looked at local nurseries I didn't go in armed with any particular questions, but just being there and observing prompted lots of questions and told me a lot. The first one I visited belittled a crying child (unhappy, not a temper tantrum) and explained that he was upset because he had had to sit for an hour in the lobby in his soiled pants the day before waiting for his mother to pick him up because he had had an "accident" and they don't change dirty underwear. Needless to say, I didn't pick this nursery. The next place was filthy and looked at me in horror when I suggested that I would prefer my ds have fruit instead of sweet things for dessert. The third place had everything in sight mispelled and again wouldn't let my ds bring in a healthy lunch instead of the junk they had on offer. I left him with the lovely childminder instead.

misspelled even

Mammyshirl, I have left you a msg on your other thread where you are asking about suitable nurseries. It is re my nanny who may be able to help you if you would prefer that option.

hello everyone

i checked out two yesterday

cybertots in ealing ,drayton-on-the-green
its brand new, the webcams wil not be installed for anpthr 6weeks (i did like the idea of checking my little baby through the day).
when i got there i was immediately disappointed by the lack of security, there are two gates that any adult can open, they are not locked, the nursery is a hut on the green. the main door is just a normal door like you would have inside your house with a key lock and thats it. you buzz and they open the door, as soon as you walk in the baby room is on your left and the toddler on the right. as a mother youjust think madman could easily get in here...
anyway the manager was not what i was hoping... i was hoping she would be warm, bubbly, smiley just lik ea loving mummy really. she seemed a bit cold and serious and was quite surprised when i got my list of questions out. she was nice but i dont think i will choose that one. also none of the children wher there, they had been takenout for a walk, it was all nice andnew. i think maybe if i went backin 6 months to see it worn in i might change my mind.

leapfrog in chiswick was a much warmer environment, the lady who showed me around was so informative and helpful, they kind of got 100% in my questions except it was a bit shabby and dirty expecially the changing areas, everywhere smelled of pooey nappies a bit!!! also i di dnot notice many toys not sure if they had been cleared away, ill mentionit to her wheni speak again, the security there was great! i guess a bit of dirt wont harm my baby, all the children seemed happy except i did notice one toddler having a tantrum and the nanny was holding him on her lap with his back toher and she wa snot comforting him... not sur eif im picking now?!?! leapfrog is a maybe.
one more thing - i feel really bad saying this but all the carers looked really shazzy, plastered in makeup - i know that sounds really bad of me but they all seemed like that!... god everyoneis going to tell me off now i bet...

anyone i still dont know what to do but thank you for your help yesterday, there where so many questions i would of not of thought of asking.