Here are some of the guidelines published by the National Day Care Association, which will
help you establish your own priorities.
Professional
Organisations
q Ensure the nursery is registered with the Care Commission.
q The nursery may have had an HMIe inspection or recent Care Commission report, in which case ask
to read the report.
q Does the nursery also belong to a professional organisation such as
the National Day Nurseries Association Scotland, keeping them informed of current issues?
The
Premises and Equipment
q Is the equipment of good quality, clean, safe and appropriate?
q Can the children easily help themselves to the toys that interest them?
q Is the interior bright, attractive, clean, well decorated, warm and light?
q Is there access to fresh air and physical play? Are these areas safe?
Food Options
q What sorts of meals are provided – hot or cold and at what time (and are they included
in the cost)?
q Is the food freshly prepared?
q Is there provision for special diets?
q Are the menus changed regularly?
The Children
q Look at the children in the nursery. Do they appear to be happy, stimulated and well occupied?
q Are the children using a variety of equipment and are the staff involved?
q Ask what the daily routines are. How will they involve my child?
q For three to five-year-olds, learning should be through play, exploration and having fun.
Ask how the five key areas of the curriculum framework are delivered: 1. EMOTIONAL,
PERSONAL & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT; 2. COMMUNICATION & LANGUAGE; 3. KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD; 4. EXPRESSIVE
AND AESTHETIC DEVELOPMENT; 5. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT & MOVEMENT.
The Staff
q What is the staff turnover? What checks and cross-references have been made?
q All staff should either have or be working towards a relevant childcare qualification such
as NVQ Childcare Level 3 or equivalent, at least one member of staff should have a First Aid Certificate and all managers
are required to have an NVQ Childcare Level 4 or equivalent.
q Ask about child ratios. NB. The guidelines require:
· 1:3 for 0-2 years
· 1:5 for 2-3 years
· 1:8 for 3-5 years
q Do parents and staff work in partnership recording your child’s activities and achievements? Will your child
be attached to a key-worker who will be your main contact and will keep you informed of your child’s development?
q Are the staff happy, relaxed, well presented, calm and confident?
Nursery Polices
q Will the nursery be honest and inform you if your child has been unhappy during the day,
and what are the settling procedures?
q Are policies in place to deal with emergency procedures, injury and infectious illnesses?
q How is difficult behaviour managed?
Costs & Extras
q What will the charge be? Can you have flexible hours or an hourly rate? Are you charged during
a holiday period? Can you have a part-time place? Is the fee reduced for a full-time place?
q Are nappies, meals and activities included?
q Is the nursery a ’partner provider’ and will fees be subsidised for three to
five-year-olds?
Your
Overall Feeling
q Did you enjoy your visit? Was it friendly, relaxed and informative?
q Did your child enjoy it?
Your
questions:
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Trust your instincts, if you are not happy with any aspect of the nursery look elsewhere.
This checklist has been adapted and published with kind permission of the
National Day Nurseries Association.
For more information visit www.ndna.org.uk, call 0870 7744244 or e-mail info@ndna.org.uk
