Why Going to A Nursery Open Day Is Important

Sending your child to nursery for the first time is a big milestone—and naturally, it can feel daunting. At Little Angels Nursery, we understand how vital it is for parents and carers to feel reassured and confident in their choice of childcare setting. One of the best ways to do that? Attending nursery open days.

From viewing facilities and speaking with staff, to watching your child explore and play, an open day nursery visit provides a real-world glimpse into how the setting runs, how your child will be cared for, and whether it’s the right fit for your family.

In this blog, we’ll explore why attending an open day, whether in person or as a nursery virtual tour, is a key part of the decision-making process. We’ll also offer tips, a nursery visit checklist, and the essential questions to ask when visiting a nursery to help guide your decision.

What Is a Nursery Open Day?

A nursery open day is an opportunity for prospective parents and carers to visit a setting, tour the facilities, meet the team, and ask questions about how the nursery operates. Open days may be held in person or as a day nursery virtual tour.

Expect to see children playing, teachers engaging in activities, and an overall atmosphere of care and learning. It’s your chance to observe the nursery environment, ask about the curriculum, and learn more about how your child will be nurtured each day.

At Little Angels, we offer both physical and virtual nursery tours, so every family can get to know us, no matter their availability.

1. You’ll See the Nursery Facilities First-Hand

One of the main benefits of a nursery tour is being able to explore the physical environment. From baby rooms and sensory areas to gardens and play spaces, visiting in person helps you assess:

Safety and cleanliness
Indoor and outdoor play areas
Dining and sleep facilities
Space allocation by age group

You’ll also get a real sense of how the nursery feels—whether it’s calm, joyful, nurturing—and how well your child might adapt to the space.

Top Tip: On your visit, imagine your child spending time in each room. Can you see them learning and laughing there?

2. You’ll Meet the Nursery Staff

Meeting the team is key to understanding the level of care and experience they offer. A great nursery team should be warm, approachable, qualified, and responsive to your questions.

Speaking directly with practitioners and room leaders can give you insight into their teaching style, values, and how they support emotional wellbeing.

Familiarity can also ease the transition. Seeing a staff member your child met on the open day when they start can be reassuring for both of you.

3. You Can Talk to Other Parents

Often at private nursery open day events, current parents are on hand to share their own experiences. This is a valuable opportunity to get honest, first-hand insights into:

How the nursery communicates
Settling-in support
Activities and routines
What children love about their days there

Their feedback can give you a clearer picture of what to expect long-term.

4. You’ll See How the Nursery Operates Day-to-Day

Open days aren’t just staged presentations—they’re snapshots of a regular day. You’ll see:

Children engaging in free play or structured activities
Teachers interacting with different age groups
The pace and rhythm of the day

This helps you assess how staff manage routines, transitions, and child-led learning. Can you picture your child thriving in that environment?

Visit our website for a sneak peek before booking a tour.

5. You Can Ask All Your Questions

Knowing what to ask when visiting a nursery can make your tour even more productive. Whether you’re attending an in-person event or a nursery virtual tour, prepare a few key questions in advance.

Here’s a sample of important questions to ask on a nursery visit:

What’s your settling-in process?
What are staff qualifications and ratios?
What curriculum do you follow?
How is outdoor play encouraged?
How do you communicate with parents?
What is the behaviour management approach?
What meals/snacks are provided?
Do you offer wraparound care or holiday cover?

Bringing a printed nursery visit checklist can help you keep track of what you liked (and what raised questions) across multiple visits.

6. You’ll Know if Your Child Feels Comfortable

Many nurseries allow you to bring your child along to an open day. This can be extremely valuable.

Are they eager to explore?
Do they seem relaxed?
Do they engage with staff or other children?

Watching your child respond to the environment can give you a real insight into whether it’s the right place for them.

7. You’ll Learn About Enrichment and Extras

Some nurseries go beyond the basics. At Little Angels, we offer extracurriculars like:

French language classes
Music and movement
Yoga
Early years sign language
Cookery and cultural experiences

We also arrange local outings to farms, museums, and nature spots to encourage exploration and connection with the world around them.

These extras are an important part of how to choose a good nursery – you want a place that sparks imagination and supports whole-child development.

8. You Can Explore Flexible Options

Open days are a good time to ask about sessions, funding, and availability. Whether you’re looking for full-time or part-time places, a reputable nursery will provide clear info on:

15 and 30 hours funding
Deposit and fees
Sibling discounts or payment plans
Holiday cover and wraparound hours

You can also ask about next steps for registration.

What If You Can’t Attend In Person?

If you’re unable to attend, ask about booking a virtual nursery tour instead. Many settings offer one-to-one video sessions or pre-recorded tours.

At Little Angels, we’re happy to arrange this if it’s more convenient for your family.

Visit Little Angels Nursery Open Days

If you’re exploring nursery open days in Southwark, London, we’d love to invite you to visit Little Angels. Our upcoming events are designed to help you:

Meet our caring staff
Tour our facilities
Learn about our curriculum and daily routines
Ask questions and chat with other parents
Let your child explore and play

Whether you’re ready to register or just beginning your search, an open day is the perfect starting point.

We believe every family deserves time, answers, and space to make the right choice.

Book your nursery tour or download a brochure to learn more.

We can’t wait to meet you!