The Early Years

Choosing a Nursery

 

Choosing an early years setting for your child is a big step. You want to give your child the best possible start in life and it is not just about a great education. Their emotional and personal development and general understanding of the world is something we would all like to be wholly responsible for, but in the real world most of us have to work so the search for the perfect place begins and the amount of information out there can be overwhelming. Yes, you need to do your research, but ultimately you know your child best and you have your own list of needs and priorities. It is up to you to choose the very best for you and your child.  

First, pick the right setting  

Day Nurseries take children from around birth to school age and cater to working parents. They vary in size, but most take between 25 - 40 children grouping them by age. There are diverse ways of operating so look carefully for the right one. Many day nurseries operate longer hours offering wraparound care for working parents.  

State Nurseries provide early education for children aged 3 - 5. Often, these are situated within the grounds of a state primary school. A free place for your child is provided starting the term after he or she has turned 3 and your child is entitled to attend a 2.5 hour session, morning or afternoon, Monday through Friday during term times.  

Independent School Nurseries will be adjacent to the corresponding private or independent junior and senior school or located elsewhere in the city as “feeder” schools. These are fee paying and while they do not guarantee your child will be placed in their primary school, there is a good chance the pre-school education will provide the continuity to ensure a spot.  

College and University Nurseries – Staff and students have first priority, but there may be available spaces. These are worth considering if it is convenient.  

Workplace Nurseries – Staff have first priority, but check for spaces. Many of these are run by larger national or international groups operating within strict guidelines.  

Playgroups are likely to be situated at your local church or community centre. Many of these require parents to help out on a rota basis. Some playgroups take children 2.5 years old if they are potty trained. Fees are nominal and the groups generally run from 9 - 11.30 am, Monday through Friday, term times 

What to look for 

All establishments providing nursery care should be registered with the Care Commission and will have an HMIE or Care Commission report on file. Most day nurseries are also registered with the National Day Nurseries Association Scotland.  

All providers offering pre-school education must follow the national guidelines in the form of A Curriculum Framework for Children 3 - 5 (soon to be changed to the Curriculum for Excellence). Day nurseries, playgroups, and pre-school nurseries all have the same guidelines. Each centre will have its own approach to this flexible curriculum which emphasises learning through play and exploration, so don’t be frightened off by all the technical language. Check out www.acurriculumforexcellencescotland.gov.uk  

Once you’ve done your research, narrow your choices down to 5 - 6 establishments and make appointments to visit. Remember, the primary issue to consider when choosing a nursery is not the reputation. The main question is, which is best for your child? What philosophy and style of care and learning will match your child’s skills, talents and needs? And what are your needs?  

Bottom Line – Where is your child going to thrive?  

Most parents have a checklist with guidelines such as those published by the National Daycare Association which help establish priorities such as hygiene, equipment, quality of staff, food and costs. A checklist is useful to let you know if an establishment meets certain standards, but there is so much more to consider.  

Location:  

Unless there is a specific reason for your child to travel a significant amount of time to school (e.g. special needs), limit yourself to schools nearby. Driving 40 minutes to the “best” school may seem reasonable in theory, but you need to ask yourself if it is worth keeping your young child in a car for a long period of time. 

Opening hours:  

Ask what hours the nursery is open. You may be able to choose a morning or afternoon session, or all day at an extra cost. Wraparound care is available at many state nurseries and pre-schools, but usually run by a private company or non-profit organisation which will charge a fee. Know your options.  

Staffing levels:  

The government states that:  

0 - 2yrs – need 1 carer for every 3 children 

2 - 3yrs – need 1 carer for every 5 children 

3 - 5yrs – need 1 carer for every 8 children. 

All the staff should either have or be working towards a relevant childcare qualification. Currently no teacher qualification is necessary (although those with all qualified staff and a teacher is often the key difference between nurseries).  

Clean, Warm & Comfortable:  

Have a look at the loos and the place where food is prepared. Also consider the room size, is there enough space for the number of children to play happily and safely, is there an outdoor area.  

Equipment:  

Are the toys, books and craft equipment in good condition, varied and thoughtfully arranged? Are the children organised so that not too many are at the same activity and encouraged to take turns? Do children have access to messy play andare they encouraged to get their hands dirty?  

Timetable: 

A good nursery will provide a balanced timetable between free play and more structured activities so that your child isn’t bored or pushed too hard. Ask what the daily routine is and if out door play is built into everyday activities. We tend to have more wet days than dry so make sure they provide adequate raingear and get the kids outside regardless of the weather.  

Parent Involvement:  

Some providers require a certain amount of parent involvement while other schools prefer that parents “sit on the sidelines” unless needed. If you want to be involved choose a school that welcomes you. If you do not have time in your schedule to participate in classroom activities and trips, make sure it is not required. 

Your child’s personality:  

Consider the kind of person your child is and where they’ll be most happy and feel safe. A quiet child may feel intimidated by a big, noisy group, while a boisterous child might benefit from the discipline of a more structured nursery. You should choose a nursery which recognises the strengths and development needs of each child, awakens their natural curiosity, stimulates their creativity and captures their imaginations.  

Useful sites:  

www.scottishchildcare.gov.uk

Check out the revamped Scottish childcare website. Here you can find information on everything from funding to individual childcare providers in each local authority.  

www.hmie.gov.uk

Read inspection reports and learn about how services are evaluated. 

www.carecommission.com

Read reports and learn about regulation of care.  

www.acurriculumforexcellencescotland.gov.uk

Learn all about the new curriculum.  

5 Questions to ask 

Call to arrange a visit to the nursery and ask the manager: 

1. What was the staff turnover last year? 

2. Who will be my child’s key worker and what qualifications and training do they have? 

3. How is my child’s progress reported back to me – for example are there parents’ evenings or progress reports? 

4. How are the children disciplined if they misbehave? 

5. What is the procedure if I have any queries or complaints?