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Deciding where to send your child to nursey is a big one, whether it’s due to you going back to work or deciding it would be a good idea for your child to socialise with other children. Not only will picking a nursey impact their development and future but also the person that they grow up to be. There are a number of things to consider like how they will get there, the daily routine they follow, facilities available and the support that they provide. It can all seem overwhelming so here are some of my top tips for choosing the right nursery for 4 year olds
Location
The most obvious consideration is location. You will need to ensure that your child’s nursey is accessible, with good transport routes and links. While these seem like small details, they can impact your attendance and punctuality at work.
Nursey Inspections
When choosing a nursery first check that the nursery you choose is registered with Ofsted. (The registration certificate will be displayed along with a current certificate of insurance.) and ask to see the most recent Ofsted report- this details the quality of nursery education and care as well as the appropriateness of the equipment and facilities
Plan a visit
It’s a good idea to visit several settings and ask questions in person about the childcare provided. Does the interior appear bright, attractive, clean, well decorated, warm and light? is the equipment good quality, clean, safe and age appropriate? Is there food fresh and is it also prepared daily? Can they cater for special diets? Are the menus varied as well as nutritional?
It’s a good idea to visit several settings and ask questions in person about the childcare provided. Does the interior appear bright, attractive, clean, well decorated, warm and light? is the equipment good quality, clean, safe and age appropriate? Is there food fresh and is it also prepared daily? Can they cater for special diets? Are the menus varied as well as nutritional?
Take Your Child with You
The decision is just as much yours as it is your child’s. It’s the place that they will be staying for the next few years and should be a place that they feel comfortable with. Taking them to open days will allow you to find the place where they are the happiest and feel motivated to go to nursey.
The decision is just as much yours as it is your child’s. It’s the place that they will be staying for the next few years and should be a place that they feel comfortable with. Taking them to open days will allow you to find the place where they are the happiest and feel motivated to go to nursey.
Passionate staff
When visiting it’s a perfect chance to see how the staff interact with the children and also check if they are trained and experienced. Are they ready to learn and respond to your child’s individual needs? Do the staff reflect local ethnic and cultural groups? What is the ratio of staff to children? How many children do you care for?
