In Pre Covid times we would show prospective parents around at any time of the day so that they knew that what they were seeing was a true picture of how we work. There was no need to book an appointment and they saw actual children taking part in nursery life. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. Although we do look forward to getting back to these times for now it is important for prospective customers to get the most out of their viewing.
Starting from the moment you book a viewing whether by phone, messenger or email you should get a response quickly during the working week. Feel free to ask questions straight away, this is a good opportunity to get to know more about the nursery and their values.
Look out for:
- A welcoming and friendly environment, you should also be able to feel this. You should experience a good balance of warmth and professionalism.
- Pictures on the wall, children’s work everywhere. Do they look like children have done them? This will indicate if the children take an active role in their day.
- A building that looks and smells clean with plenty of toys for different ages and obvious differences between playrooms
- Outdoor space and evidence that it gets used.
- Happy children and parents, if you don’t see any take a look at reviews in facebook or testimonys on a website. Ask if the nursery can put you in contact with a parent for a chat.
- Happy staff, are they smiling, busy and friendly?
- You should never feel pushed or pressured into making a booking, choosing the right nursery for you is a personal decision and shouldn’t be rushed.
Link to latest inspection report
Ask about:
- Session times, check on flexibility and notice needed to change days.
- Support with paying for childcare. There are all sorts of ways of saving money for everyone.
- Health and safety points such as how many first aiders are on site?
- Child development, how does the nursery monitor what children are learning and what skills to introduce next?
- Menus, this is a good time to mention any intolerances or allergies, feeding preferences or concerns you may have regarding weaning.
- What happens if you want to take your child out of nursery for a holiday?
- What systems the nursery uses to communicate with parents?