 How to
spot a great nursery
Competition for places at good nurseries is fierce but that doesn't
mean you have to take the first place on offer. Sam Pope looks at how
to pick a nursery both you and your child will love.
What do nurseries offer?
Nurseries are childcare centres that look after children aged three months
to four or five years. They vary in size from smaller establishments taking
about 20 children to larger organisations offering places 100 or more
places and are carefully monitored to provide the appropriate numbers
of qualified staff to children. Nurseries offer full-time and part-time
places, opening typically from around 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. They
are normally shut during public holidays, which is something to bear in
mind if you normally have to work Bank Holidays or during holiday seasons.
A brief glance through your telephone directory will show you that there
are several types of nursery: those associated with workplaces, those
run by the state (eg those affiliated with schools), private day nurseries
and nurseries affiliated with independent schools. However, all must be
registered as nurseries and be regularly visited by Ofsted (the Office
for Standards in Education) inspectors. Reports on the nurseries are written
by these inspectors and you can view them online at the Ofsted website.
Nurseries are popular with parents and unfortunately competition for
places is high. Often it is necessary to put your child's name down for
a place before they are even born, such is the demand for space in some
of the most well respected establishments!
How much do they cost?
As with all other childcare options, nurseries vary in what they charge.
Often, the cost will be determined by the area in which you live, with
London nurseries often charging more than regional ones. According to
the Daycare Trust, the average cost of a full-time place at nursery for
a child under two years of age is £142 per week, which adds up to a hefty
£7,300 per year. In London and the South East, this might rise further
to an average of £197 per week.
If you are fortunate, some of the costs of nursery fees might be subsidised
by employers, which can lighten the financial load somewhat. You might
also be able to get additional help with the costs of approved childcare
through tax credits, if you are in receipt of them. To find out more,
telephone the Tax Credit helpline on 0845 300 3900.
What happens at nursery?
The aim of a good nursery is to provide a stimulating environment in
which children are able to play, learn, socialise and rest. Typical activities
include painting, music, sensory play, listening to stories and, of course,
that all important nap for the younger children to recharge their batteries!
Food is provided and special diets can normally be catered for. Outdoor
play is normally possible, though make sure to ask about it when you visit
and see what facilities are on offer.
Nurseries should offer different rooms for different ages groups. Larger
establishments will be able to offer more 'staging' for this, with rooms
for the following age groups: 3-18 months, 18 months - 24 months, 2-3
years and 3 years to pre-school. Smaller organisations might not be able
to offer this and only have two rooms, such as 0-2 and 3-5. Again, a visit
to the nursery is vital in seeing how their structure works and if you
are happy with it.
The pros
Nurseries are appealing to prospective parents because they offer their
children a structured environment outside of the home, which is closely
monitored and regulated by internal and external organisations. Nurseries
operate a key worker system, which enables your child to become close
to their carer throughout their time in their room. However, should that
carer be away on holidays or on sick leave, other staff will be there
to cover their absence, which is not the case with options such as childminders,
nannies, au pairs and relatives.
It is often easier for a nursery to provide a wide range of activities
than it can be for a childminder or relative. Nurseries themselves have
very strict routines, which the children are normally expected to adhere
to, although staff take into consideration the individual needs of the
children, wherever possible. And children, particularly at the toddler
stage, benefit enormously from the social aspects of a nursery setting.
Finally, from a financial viewpoint, registered or approved childcare
such as that offered by nurseries are approved under the childcare element
of the Working Tax Credit.
The cons
There aren't many cons to nurseries; the decision mainly involves your
own gut instincts and your child's reaction to a nursery and its staff.
However, Tom Crabbe, director of services at the Daycare Trust, has the
following advice, "The evidence to support the childcare provision offered
by nurseries is very strongly in favour of them, particularly with regards
the social and educational skills they instil in children. However, none
of this is relevant if you or your child is unhappy with the surroundings.
A nursery setting might not be appropriate, for example, for children
who would prefer a more homely environment, such as that found at a childminder's.
Additionally, if you work odd hours or do shift work, during evenings
and weekends, a nursery will not be able to accommodate your needs."
Fire away
Once you have drawn up a shortlist of nurseries to visit, it's best to
go in armed with a series of questions to help you get an idea of the
nursery and what it can offer you and your child. The Daycare Trust recommends
the following to get you started.
- What is the daily routine for children in the baby room?
- What is the ratio of staff to children? (Note that in the baby room
this cannot exceed three babies to one member of staff by law.)
- What is your settling-in policy to gradually acclimatise my baby
to his new surroundings?
- Do you operate a key worker system for the children?
- What is the staff turnover like at this nursery? (This is important
because if staff are frequently leaving this will impact on the continuity
of care for your child and might make them more unsettled because of
the lack of stability.)
- Do you cater for special diets?
- Do you provide nappies and formula for babies? If so, what type?
Can I take in expressed breast milk or special formula?
- Could I see your outdoor play area please?
- What are your methods of discipline?
- Do you have a copy of your Ofsted report?
Go with your gut
While asking a million questions might inform you factually about the
nursery, no amount of good answers will calm a worried mind. If you come
away with a bad feeling about a place, or even a vaguely undecided one,
listen to your doubts and think very carefully about whether you would
be happy leaving your child there
. If you're having trouble drawing up a shortlist, ask friends, work
colleagues and any family members living in the area if they can recommend
a good nursery. If this isn't possible, when you visit the nurseries,
ask if you could speak to one or two parents. Nurseries often have parent
representatives who are happy to talk about these sorts of things.
Where to next?
- For more information about nurseries, visit the Daycare Trust's website
Not sure which childcare option is best for you? Read our article
- Chat to other working mums about your childcare issues on our forum
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