Check List
Choosing suitable childcare is one of the most important decisions you will make for your child, for some of you this will be the first time and it is important to ask the right questions. We have put together a list, which we hope will help with your choice.
General observations
- Do you have to make an appointment or can you just call in?
- Are the staff welcoming?
- Do the children already at the nursery look happy?
- Is there good adult/child interaction?
- Do the activities on offer look inviting?
- Does the nursery look clean and inviting?
- Is your child made to feel welcome?
General questions
- What are the opening hours?
- Does the nursery try to take your needs into consideration/are they flexible?
- How long has the nursery existed?
- Status of nursery, is it private, voluntary or educational?
- Are children encouraged to attend, even if they are not toilet trained?
- Are meals provided, are they hot meals or are they snacks, are they well balanced and nutritious, are they prepared on the premises or outside? Do they use fresh ingredients or ready meals?
- Do they take into account any special dietary requirements, are they prepared to accommodate these?
- Do they close for holidays, if so which ones?
- What is the nursery's policy on sick children?
- What are you, as a parent, expected to provide?
- Is your involvement and participation encouraged?
- What is the nursery's policy in settling in new children?
- Are you welcome to visit the nursery, at any time without appointment, with your child in the run up to them starting the nursery?
Atmosphere
- Do you feel comfortable during your visit, does your child?
- Is your child spoken to or ignored?
- Is there a feeling of "belonging" at the nursery?
- Does the environment seem child orientated?
- Do you feel you would enjoy spending time there?
- Is there good lighting and ventilation?
- Are there suitable toilet and wash facilities for the children and are they encouraged to wash their hands?
- Do you feel safe, sanitary hygienic conditions are maintained?
- Are there facilities for your child to have a nap if required?
- Is there a safe outdoor play area, is it available at all times?
- Is there space for running about freely for active play and space for quiet play, both indoors and outdoors?
Staff child interaction
- Observe the interaction between the staff and the children - Do the staff seem happy and attentive to the children? Do they appear to instil confidence in the children?
- Do the children get individual attention if they want it?
- Do they have a behaviour policy?
- What is the staff child ratio?
- Are the staff qualified, if so - to what level? Are staff and volunteers CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked?
- Do you feel your questions, comments and visits are welcome?
Activities
- Is children's own work encouraged and displayed?
- Are the children encouraged to learn through play or are there "set" learning times?
- Do activities on offer encourage physical fitness as well as mental development?
- Is the nursery well equipped, is it safe and age appropriate?
- Is there a computer available for children to use?
- Are extra activities provided by external agencies, if so, what are they? Is there an extra cost for these?
- Will the children be watching television, if so, what kind of programmes and how much time each day?
Fees and rules
- What are the arrangements for payment?
- When are fees due?
- Do you have to pay for the whole year, or is there a term time only option?
- Do you have to pay for bank holidays?
- If your child is eligible for Nursery Education Grant, is it automatically deducted from your invoice from the first day of entitlement or is it paid back to you at a later date?
- Is there a charge if you are late for your child?
- How much notice is required to change sessions or leave?
- Do they accept childcare vouchers?
- If you are at College or University is the nursery prepared to fill in paperwork required to help with childcare costs?
- Are you given a copy of your terms and conditions to take home and read?
- If you need someone else to pick up your child at short notice, what is their policy on this?
- If you find you require an extra session, as a one-off, do they have a booking in facility to cover this?
Emergencies
- Are any of the staff paediatric first aid trained?
- Are they allowed to administer medication?
- Are all accidents recorded and are parents informed of them?
- Are staff prepared or trained for possible allergic reactions or other special needs?