For parents, finding good quality childcare may be a challenging job and can even sound like a daunting experience. When visiting a childcare provider, there are several things to keep an eye out for and questions to ask. How can you tell if your child is going to be happy? Will they be able to meet your child’s requirements? Do they provide you with comments on your child’s progress? What happens if my child isn’t keen?
It doesn’t have to be difficult though. Here are our tops tips on how to find a good nursery in your local area.
How to find a good nursery in your area:
– Keep an eye out for nurseries in your area
If you’ve lived in your local area for a while, you might already be aware of a few nurseries that are close by. Note down any nurseries that you pass, or you know of. It might even be worth collecting their telephone number, website or any information brochures they have available.
At this stage, it’s useful to have a list of all your options, even if you aren’t sold on them just yet. Decide which nursery setting will work best for you. Evaluate your ideal location: is it near your home, family, or workplace? If a great nursery is close by, that’s excellent; if not, compare the benefits of travelling further away for a great nursery against the extra effort required.
– Look at local nurseries on Google Maps
Nowadays, your best bet at looking for local nurseries is using good-old Google Maps. You can do this with simple searches such as “nurseries near me” or “nurseries in (enter your postcode or town)”.
This is a great method as you should be taken directly to their website, where you can find all the information you need to know about the nursery as well as reviews and ratings.
– Ask friends, family and parents
You should have a pretty good idea of which nurseries are in your local area now, but for some people, that could be an exceedingly large number of nurseries to go through.
The most reliable way to know whether a nursery will meet your expectations is to ask for personal recommendations. This could be through any friends or family members who have recently had their child attend a nursery.
This way, you’ll be able to ask about their experience – and you’ll definitely want to hear the good, the bad and the ugly. Seek recommendations from friends and family. Speak with current parents if possible. Do their ideas and thoughts about the nursery match your aspirations?
– Join Facebook groups
If your friends and family aren’t in the know when it comes to nurseries in your local area, then do not fret.
Social media is home to many communities of people, and if you use Facebook, you might be familiar with Facebook groups. Look on social media sites and online forums to see what people are saying about nurseries in your area.
Whether you join a group specifically for local nurseries or even a more general one for new parents, these groups can be super helpful as you can ask for recommendations and advice! It’s also a great place to meet like-minded parents in your area.
– Use the GOV.UK website
If you are still struggling to find local nurseries, try using the gov.uk website. Here, you can search for nurseries using your postcode. Most nurseries should be listed, so this gives you an accurate idea of which nurseries are near you.
All registered childcare services are inspected by Ofsted to ensure that standards are met and that children are safe. At www.ofsted.gov.uk, you can look up the grade and report for the nurseries you’re considering. The latest Ofsted research assesses the quality of preschool education and care, as well as the equipment and facilities available.
How to choose the right nursery for your child
– Get researching!
Once you have a shortlist of nurseries, it’s time to do some extensive research. Look on their websites and learn about their values and history. The better informed you are about the nurseries, the easier it will be to see a clear choice.
– Ask for personal recommendations
We cannot stress enough how important personal recommendations are. Whether they are from people you know or social media community groups, it is crucial to hear personal experiences. Sometimes, nurseries are happy to put you in touch with parents who are already with their nursery, so this is well worth doing.
The experience that other parents have had with a childcare provider can be really helpful. It is recommended that you obtain at least two references. Childcare providers should be willing to refer you to other parents who have used their services.
– Arrange a visit
Once you have your top nurseries shortlisted, it’s time to visit them! Make sure to take a list of questions to ask, and that you get a well-rounded understanding of the nursery’s values, practices, and anything else important to you.
Are the staff welcoming, friendly and professional? Does the atmosphere feel ‘homely’, and the children happy and occupied? Is there a safe, stimulating and regularly used outside play area? Is the equipment good quality, clean, safe and age-appropriate?
Little Angels nursery in London
Finding the ideal nursery can be a tough experience, but once you’ve made the decision, it is extremely rewarding. You’ll be able to make an informed decision about which nursery is best for your child if you follow our top guidelines when visiting potential nurseries.
At Little Angels nursery, we are passionate about providing the best childcare available, and nurturing your little one both educationally and pastorally.
Remember, a good nursery should embrace the opportunity to demonstrate their facilities and skills in providing the best possible care for your child. They should also be able to understand your problems and put you at ease by answering all your questions on how to find a good nursery in your area.
If you’re wondering how to find a good nursery, why not take a look at our brochure? This gives a good idea of just what we can offer to ensure your child gets outstanding nursery care that works for both you and them. Our childcare specialist staff are always on hand to discuss anything at all and answer your questions – feel free to get in touch anytime.