Research on finding a nursery / childminder

HappySad

Twinkle_Mitchell wrote:

Hi,
1. I used the following: local library resources, childcare link, childcare co-ordinator provided by employer, friends recommendations, yellow pages, local paper.
2. I went mainly by intution when I visited the placement. Also, I took into account the general reputation of the nursery, also looked at Ofsted reports.
3. As long as it took to find a place that I was happy to leave my child in. I visited about a dozen places and researched a whole lot more!
4. I chose the ones I thought were appropriate, phoned round them all (which narrowed them down), then visited them, looked at Ofsted reports and asked around. The ones I was left with matched all the criteria I had listed including: good leisure facilities, good reputation, plenty of space, availability for my child to attend on the days I wanted, trained staff, good dining facilities and right price.
5. Yes and would be very helpful
Hope this helps,
Twinkle

I agree with everything that Twinkle_Mitchell has said. :T

The nusery that I choose even serves healthy snacks instead of crips and biscuits that some can. The nursery has a specialist that gives extra attention to special needs children.

Jolaaled

I work as an advisory preschool teacher. You should definitely visit the nursery ( more than once...and at different times, eg am and pm) and look for the following:

Staff are clearly enjoying their work with the children
Staff are playing and interacting well with the children
The setting seems to be flexible re: free play/ adult-directed play
There's lots of messy/tactile/water/sand - type play
Parents are very welcome and it's easy to get feedback from the staff
There's a plentiful supply of different play activites, including books, a cosy 'chill-out' space, and outdoor play space too.

hope this helps!