Choosing
A Nursery For Your Toddler
 There
are many different types of early education and childcare, and it can
be difficult to decide which is best for your child.
Look for a nursery school or kindergarden with
happy children and a good atmosphere. Instinctive feelings are usually
right so trust yours. Start looking well in advance and visit as many
different nurseries as you can.
Take
your time
Ask if you can sit-in and watch for a morning. Are you made to feel welcome?
Choose a registered nursery or playgroup and make sure it's convenient.
If you work, the closer to your workplace the better, or make sure it's
close to home if you don't. If you're planning to get your toddler to
nursery by public transport, don't visit by car. A 5-minute drive can
mean a 45-minute bus journey!
Don't
be a dedicated follower of fashion
Nurseries and playgroups can be subject to the whims of fashion but a
long waiting list isn't a good reference in itself. Don't assume expensive
is necessarily best. Ask friends - and even parents you meet in the park
- for recommendations.
What
to ask about...
Find out about staff qualifications and how high the turnover is. Are
parents expected to help out? Check group activities are short and scattered
through the morning. Ask about discipline. What
level of supervision is provided? Choose a small group with a high teacher
to pupil ratio - 1:4 for ages 2-3 and 1:8 for 3 to 5 yr-olds.
What
to look for...
All establishments delivering government-funded education and all registered
childcare for under-8s are regularly inspected by OFSTED which guarantees
a level of service.
Choose
a nursery or playgroup that provides a clean, safe environment and a bright,
cheery, relaxed atmosphere. Teachers should be interested in the children
and enjoy playing with them. How structured are activities? Toddlers learn
through play so the schedule should be play-centred. How much choice do
children have? Learning shouldn't be forced or formal and there should
be a good variety of toys and books.
Watch
individual childen; are they wandering about without a purpose? When they
have finished an activity do they take it to show an assistant? Are they
encouraged to put things away when they have finished? How are they spoken
to? If they are hurt or upset, how is it dealt with? Think of these questions
in advance and use them as a guide when you visit the school.
What you really, really want
A nursery or playgroup should promote
fun, friendship, sharing, stories and songs. At this stage, it's not about
academic achievement, it's about learning through playing with others
and having fun.
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