Questions to ask a nursery

Selecting a nursery for your child requires careful consideration. It is one of the biggest decisions you will make as a parent, so it pays to ask plenty of questions before you commit. To help you feel confident, here are 16 key questions to ask when you visit a nursery, along with a few answers from our own Ofsted Outstanding nursery here at The Hub at Buckshaw.

1. What are your opening hours?

Operating hours must align with your family's schedule. Check that the nursery can cover your working day, including drop off and pick up times. Buckshaw Village Nursery is open from 7:30am to 6pm.

2. What age do you start to accept children?

Most nurseries accept babies from around 6 months to 1 year, though policies vary from setting to setting. If you are returning to work early, check that the nursery can take your child at the age you need.

3. What is your staff to child ratio?

Ratios matter because they affect how much individual attention your child receives. The legal minimums in England and Wales are:

• Under 2: one staff member per 3 babies
• Ages 2 to 3: one staff member per 4 children
• Ages 3 and over: one staff member per 13 children

At Buckshaw Village Nursery we go further than the minimum, with one member of staff to every 8 children even at age 3 and over.

4. Will my child have a key person?

The Early Years Statutory Framework requires every child to have a designated key person who is responsible for their care and learning. This gives your child a familiar face to build a bond with, and gives you a single point of contact for updates.

5. What qualifications do staff have?

As a minimum, at least one staff member per age group should hold a Level 3 qualification, and half of all staff should hold Level 2 or above. Do not be afraid to ask about ongoing training too.

6. How will you help my child settle in?

Ask about settling in procedures, buddy systems and transition support. A good nursery will offer taster sessions and a gradual introduction so your child, and you, feel reassured before their first full day.

7. What facilities do you have at the nursery?

Facilities should match your child's interests and stage of development. Buckshaw Village Nursery offers sensory toys, water play, outdoor climbing equipment, a mud kitchen, a vegetable garden and access to our onsite swimming pool.

8. What sort of activities will my child take part in?

Look for developmentally enriching activities, including trips out into the community. Our nursery features gardening experiences and swimming lessons through our onsite Splash pool, giving children the chance to learn and grow through play.

9. How will you support my child's development?

Nurseries must address the seven areas of the Early Years Statutory Framework: communication and language; physical development; personal, social and emotional development; literacy; mathematics; understanding the world; and expressive arts and design. Ask how the setting plans activities around these areas.

10. How do you support children with special needs?

Every nursery is required to have a special educational needs coordinator. Ask about their experience with any specific conditions, and how activities are adapted so that every child can take part and thrive.

11. How will you keep me up to date on my child's progress?

Most nurseries use an online platform to track daily activities, meals and developmental milestones. At Buckshaw Village Nursery we log information via an app and provide routine reports, so you always know how your child's day has gone.

12. Do you provide snacks and meals?

Clarify whether meals are included in your fees. Ask to see a sample menu so you can check the nutritional quality and make sure it works for any allergies or dietary needs.

13. Do you offer funded places?

Children aged 3 and over can receive 30 hours of government funded childcare for 38 weeks of the year. Check whether the nursery accepts funded places and how the hours are spread across the week.

14. What happens if my child is ill or gets hurt?

Understand the nursery's illness policy and the procedures for injuries. Ask how and when they will contact you, and what steps they take to keep other children well.

15. What health and safety measures do you have in place?

Security features should include CCTV monitoring, staff controlled entry, an approval process for pick ups and thoughtful safety design throughout the building. Buckshaw Village Nursery meets Millie's Mark, with paediatric first aid training for all staff.

16. What is your Ofsted rating?

An Ofsted rating is a clear indicator of quality standards. Buckshaw Village Nursery holds a rating of Outstanding. To find out more or to book a visit, call us on 01772 456108.