How to find a good nursery
Finding a good nursery can seem like a daunting challenge, and it can be difficult to know what to look for. Follow our top tips to help you find the right nursery for your child.
There are several different types of nursery. These include workplace nurseries, state-run nurseries, private day nurseries and nurseries attached to independent schools. In England, all registered settings that care for children under the age of eight must be regularly visited by Ofsted inspectors, who produce reports that you can view. See www.ofsted.gov.uk . This also applies to day care provided by maintained and independent schools.
All day care nurseries must also be registered with the local council, which inspects them annually.
Many nurseries are fully booked years in advance so it is advisable to think about finding one as early as possible.
The average cost for babies based on full-time care is £100-£200 per week. Most nurseries should have flexi-hours and part-time care available, and should have an open door policy, welcoming parents who turn up unannounced.
When starting your search, it’s good to check for:
• A good reputation (word-of-mouth, Ofsted registration and inspection reports)
• Established ground rules and policies
• A stimulating and structured environment
• Curriculum guidance being followed
• Qualified, caring staff
• Clean, safe facilities
• Current registration certificate
• Key worker system in place.
When judging the child-to-carer ratio, the Children Act recommends:
• One carer for every three babies under two years
• One carer for every four children from 2-3
• One carer for every eight children from 3-5.
An on-the-spot visit to a nursery may be a good idea to get a feel for the way a nursery runs when visitors are not expected. Children should be happy and content, in a clean and welcoming environment. Gut feelings and instincts are important to go with, no matter what the nursery says in order to sell itself to you.
Things to look out for and questions to ask while visiting a nursery should include:
• How do the staff behave around the children?
• What kind of meals does the nursery provide?
• How will you make sure I know how my child is getting on?
• What is the staff to child ratio?
• What is the cleanliness like?
• Is there structured management available to talk to if I have any concerns?
• Is the play area clean and safe?
• Where will my child rest?
• What will you do if my child is naughty?
• How do they react to your unexpected arrival?.
You could also talk to other parents at the nursery to get first-hand comments from them.
An undercover nursery school investigation broadcast by the BBC in August 2004 showed staff at an Ofsted-approved nursery shouting at children. So even if a nursery looks good on paper, it is important to go with your gut reaction when you go for a look around.
"I couldn't work out why my daughter had chronic nappy rash"
Esther Smyth, 32, a website editor from Surrey, knows only too well how dishonestly nurseries can operate. “I couldn’t work out why my 12-month-old daughter had such chronic nappy rash, which the doctor told me was the worst he’d seen,” she says.
“I changed her nappy regularly at home, and also gave the nursery more than enough nappies to change her regularly.
“But one day I arrived at the nursery early to pick her up. The staff were very insistent that they should change her nappy before I took her home. I said it was fine as I only lived around the corner. When I got her home and took off her nappy, it was like a leaden weight. It clearly hadn’t been changed since I had dropped her off seven hours earlier."
Although there are negative stories, most nurseries in the UK are of a good standard.
The best nurseries provide structured care for each age of child, and allow for one-to-one interaction with even the youngest babies. Most are open 7.30am - 6pm, allowing for most parents' hours. At least half the staff and all supervisors must be qualified.
"The staff couldn't be friendlier"
Victoria Peters of Chorlton, Manchester, is very pleased with the nursery she sends son Thomas, 18 months, to.
“The staff couldn’t be friendlier and seem to genuinely enjoy what they do. I work erratic hours and don’t always have the chance to phone the nursery first if I come in early to collect Thomas, but I’ve always found him clean and happy – and not too impressed that I’m taking him away!”
www.nurserysearch.co.uk is a useful nursery directory for quickly finding a selection of nurseries in your area.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
Published August 2008
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Last Modified: 04/08/2008