Child care in Day Nurseries

There are settings which will take children from a few weeks or months old where they may stay until they are ready for full time school at four or five. Some nurseries open throughout the whole year. Some of these Nurseries will be attached to places of work. Others are large organisations which have several locations either locally or nationally.

Nursery units for very young children may provide a core day of 9am to 5.30pm. Children may be offered full time or part time places. These vary in different settings. The majority of settings offer extended day provision, which is usually from 7am to 6pm and referred to as wraparound care.

Day Nurseries, Montessori groups and pre-school private nursery groups will probably be your child's first formal step away from you towards infant school. Generally, each group has a mix of toys, games, singing, stories, reading, painting, play dough, home corner, painting and activities and some have areas for outdoor play.

How do I know my child will be safe and secure?

First of all you know your child best – look for a Pre-school setting which you feel will suit your child. Help in making this decision is provided on a separate page– "Choosing Childcare - What to Look For - Top 10 questions to ask".

Most Pre-schools are registered with Ofsted and are inspected every 2 years. Inspection covers all aspects of the service including safety and the suitability and standard of the building. Most Pre-school staff are trained to work with children or are undergoing training. There should be one member of staff for every eight children aged three to five; one adult for every four children aged two to three., and one adult for every three under-twos. There must be a minimum of two adults.

The structured groups, for instance Montessori, may suit the child who is happy to sit and work through activities such as puzzles and drawing. It is a sensory form of education where the fine and gross motor skills are developed through all the skills and activities provided.

Other children may be happier in a different environment with other opportunities and disciplines. Some children like outdoor play, others dressing up and imaginary play. You know your own child and must visit various settings and choose the one in which you feel most ‘at home’. If you are happy and confident then the likely hood that your child will be is greater. Talk to other parents in your area and share your thoughts through Parents in Touch.

The brochure and prospectuses will outline the setting and help you decide. Go with your instinct so that your child will feel happy, have fun and gain confidence. All the settings have Ofsted reports so look at their reports.

Click here to read the playgroup Ofsted reports. www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/

Click here for information on your local Children's Information Service. This will provide you with more detailed information about any setting.

Plus Points

• Your child is safe and can make new friends

• Your child can develop new skills and build greater confidence

• You can meet other parents and get to know your local community better

There is no substitute for talking to other parents who are using these services. Not all parents want or need exactly the same things. It is however reassuring when you are making decisions about your most precious possession to talk to others and ensure YOU are getting exactly what you expected. A one day visit is good but someone with more insight can reassure you and make deciding much easier.

• Secure as much information as you possibly can

• Ask questions and talk to other people

• For your peace of mind verify all you have heard by enrolling here and reinforcing your beliefs

• Encourage other people to join and establish networking.

Be SAFE and enjoy your children

Back to Top