Choosing the Right Nursery: 10 Questions to Ask Prospective Nurseries

Choosing a nursery is one of the first big steps in your child’s early years. You want to feel confident that the nursery setting you choose will provide a safe, supportive and engaging environment. Asking the right questions helps you make a clear decision about which nursery best fits your child’s needs.

By knowing what to ask and what to look for, you can approach visits and conversations with clarity and confidence.

Here, we’ve rounded up all the questions you should ask prospective day nurseries to understand whether they’re right for your child.

1. What are your staff-to-child ratios and qualifications?

When visiting a nursery, you should ask about the staff-to-child ratios. Nursery class sizes are important because they affect how much attention and supervision your child receives. A lower ratio means staff can give more individual care. Private day nurseries are more likely to have more staff per child than state schools thanks to their additional resources.

You should also ask about staff qualifications. The early years foundation stage (EYFS) requires certain qualifications for staff to count towards ratios. This includes staff training in child development, safeguarding policies and first aid. At Little Cedars, all our practitioners hold the minimum of a level 3 qualification or NNEB in childcare and education. Additionally, 44% of our nursery staff are qualified to degree level.

Some nurseries employ staff with higher-level qualifications, such as early years teacher status or degrees in childcare. Others may focus on ongoing professional development to keep skills up to date. Additionally, low staff turnover indicates employee happiness, which translates to the way nursery practitioners provide care for your child.

2. How do you ensure the safety and security of children?

You should ask how the nursery controls access to the building. Secure entry points, visitor sign-in procedures and locked doors help prevent unauthorised entry. Some nurseries also use cameras to monitor entrances and classrooms for added protection.

It’s also important to understand the pick-up and drop-off process. Clear rules about who can collect your child reduce the risk of mistakes. Many nurseries use ID checks or written permissions.

You should also ask about staff training on safeguarding and emergency procedures. Trained staff know how to respond to emergencies, follow safeguarding rules and manage health and safety risks. Nurseries that prioritise safeguarding will have strict recruitment checks and ongoing training.

Finally, ask about everyday safety measures. This includes how nursery practitioners supervise play, prevent choking hazards and keep play spaces clean. Checking these details helps you feel confident that your child’s wellbeing is taken seriously.

3. What curriculum or learning approach do you follow?

When you visit a nursery school, ask about the curriculum or educational approach they use. This will give you insight into how your child will spend their day and what kinds of skills they will develop.

Some nurseries follow the early years foundation stage (EYFS), which is the standard framework in England. It focuses on areas such as communication, physical development and personal, social and emotional growth. We follow the EYFS at Little Cedars, combining it with our rich curriculum that focuses on sensory play, outdoor learning and development.

It is important to check if the curriculum balances structured activities with free play. A well-rounded programme often includes opportunities for exploration, group work and outdoor learning.

By asking about the approach, you can decide if it matches your child’s needs and your family’s values. This helps ensure a consistent and supportive start to their learning journey.

4. What will my child’s daily routine and activities look like?

When you ask about the daily routine, you gain a clear picture of how your child’s day will be structured. A consistent schedule helps children feel secure and understand what to expect.

Most nurseries follow a balance of play, learning, rest and mealtimes. For example, a typical day at nursery school often includes free play, group activities, outdoor time and quiet periods for naps or reading.

You should also ask how the nursery adapts routines for different age groups. Babies may need more nap time, while toddlers may benefit from longer activity sessions. This ensures your child’s individual needs are met.

We have dedicated rooms and schedules for our different age groups at Little Cedars:

It’s useful to find out how learning is built into daily activities. Many nurseries use sensory play-based methods, where children explore through games, songs and creative tasks. This approach supports early social and language development.

Finally, ask how staff handle transitions between structured activities. Smooth changes from play to meals or rest times can reduce stress and help children settle more comfortably in their environment.

5. How do you support children’s emotional and social development?

You should ask how nursery practitioners help children learn to manage feelings and build positive relationships. A good nursery will have daily routines that encourage sharing, turn-taking and cooperation with peers. Early education is key to child development.

Find out if the nursery creates an inclusive environment where children from different backgrounds feel welcome and respected. Nurseries that value diversity help children learn empathy and mutual respect, which are important skills for later life.

Ask how the nursery supports children when they face challenges, such as frustration or separation anxiety. Many early years settings focus on guiding behaviour in a positive way instead of a reward and punishment model.

It is also useful to know how staff work with families. Strong partnerships between educators and parents allow for consistency between home and nursery, which can make children feel more secure. Open communication helps staff understand each child’s needs and provide the right support.

6. What are your policies on illness and medication?

You should ask how the nursery manages children who become unwell during the day. Most nurseries will contact you quickly if your child shows signs of illness and may ask you to collect them to prevent the spread of infection. Some settings provide a quiet area where your child can rest until you arrive.

It is important to understand the rules about exclusion periods for common illnesses. Many nurseries follow public health guidance to decide how long a child should stay at home.

Medication policies also vary, so you should check what the nursery allows. Some nurseries require you to provide clear written instructions before staff can give any medicine. You may also need to record the last dose given at home.

Ask staff about the safety measures they take to store and administer medication. Nurseries often keep medicine in a locked cabinet and require staff to sign forms when doses are given. This helps maintain accurate records and keeps you informed.

7. How do you communicate with parents about their child’s progress?

You should ask how the nursery keeps you informed about your child’s development. Clear and regular updates help you understand what your child is learning and how they are settling in.

Some nurseries use daily handovers, while others provide written notes or digital updates through a communication app. Our nursery staff update our Tapestry app daily with milestones and activities so parents don’t miss out on anything. Regular newsletters or emails can also keep you informed about activities and upcoming events.

It is important to know if your local nursery offers scheduled meetings, such as parent-teacher conferences, where you can discuss your child’s progress in more detail. These meetings give you the chance to ask questions and share your own observations.

In many early years settings, staff also provide factual information about learning milestones, assessments or areas where your child may need support. This approach is recommended in schools as well, where sharing clear progress updates helps families stay engaged.

8. Are meals provided and how do you accommodate dietary needs?

You should ask if the nursery provides meals and snacks or if you need to supply them. Many nurseries prepare food on-site, but the quality and variety can differ. Understanding what is offered helps you decide if it matches your child’s needs.

Check if the nursery follows recognised nutrition standards. For example, nurseries are expected to provide nutritious, balanced meals that support growth and development. Asking to see sample menus can give you a clear idea of daily options.

It is important to know how the nursery manages allergies or special diets. You should provide your child’s dietary requirements to get an idea of how they’ll be managed at nursery.

You should also ask how cultural or religious food preferences are respected. Some nurseries adapt menus to meet these needs, ensuring children feel included. Clear communication between staff, parents and food providers helps prevent mistakes and supports every child’s wellbeing.

A nursery that takes dietary needs seriously will show you how they plan, prepare and monitor meals to keep children safe and healthy.

9. What is your approach to managing behaviour and discipline?

You should ask how the nursery sets clear expectations for behaviour. Consistent boundaries help children understand what is acceptable and what is not, especially in an early years setting. A structured approach also creates a calmer environment for learning and play.

Find out if staff use positive reinforcement, such as praise, to encourage good behaviour. Many nurseries promote positive behaviour by focusing on rewarding effort rather than punishing mistakes. This helps children build confidence and learn self-control.

It is also important to know how staff respond when challenging behaviour occurs. Some nurseries use strategies tailored to the child’s age and stage of development. This ensures that discipline is fair and appropriate.

You may want to ask how parents are involved in behaviour plans. A shared approach between staff and families can provide consistency at home and in the nursery.

Finally, check whether the nursery adapts strategies for individual needs. Some children may require extra support, and nurseries that reflect on and adjust their methods often manage behaviour more effectively.

10. What feedback have you had from inspections and reports?

It’s a good idea to read the nursery’s inspection reports, whether they are ISI or Ofsted reports, to find out how they are performing before you visit. You can then see how this plays out when you visit the school.

Focus on how staff interact with children, how well they support learning and whether the environment is safe and inclusive. Look for repeated issues across inspections, as this can point to ongoing weaknesses.

4th August 2025

Day Nursery and Preschool