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Day Nurseries

Day nurseries provide full day care for the length of the working day (maximum 9 hours) for pre-school children aged from 6 weeks to 5 years old, although others may only care for children over two years of age.  Whether privately run, community or workplace, they must be registered and regularly inspected by the local HSST.  Strict guidelines govern staff/children ratios:

• 1:3 for under 2s
• 1:4 for 2 to 3 year olds 
• 1:6 for 3 to 5 year olds  

Hours tend to fit in with an average working day with most facilities opening between7.30am – 6pm.  Care is usually provided all year round, with the exception of public holidays.  Children can attend full-time or part-time depending on demand for places in the nursery, and some nurseries offer school drop-off/pick up and out of school care for older children up to 12 years.  Many nurseries also offer holiday schemes.  Some nurseries are registered to provide early years education and receive funding for 3 and 4 year olds.

A good nursery will have a range of activities to give children the opportunity to experiment and learn through play.

A day nursery is ideal if:

• You feel happier leaving your child at a set location with a team of professional staff trained in childcare.
• You need childcare that is 100 per cent reliable – if one member of staff is away ill others can cover.
• You want continuity of care – your child could stay at the day nursery until they start school and beyond by attending out of school care (although your child’s key carer could change during this time).

A day nursery may not be so suitable if:

• You work shifts or weekends
• The day nursery is not near your work or home, or you have older children who need escorting to and from school (unless school pick-ups are offered).
• You would prefer a more flexible and homely environment
• Your employer is not ‘family friendly’ and you have no back-up for emergencies – ill children cannot attend day nursery

Always check:

• The day nursery has places available for your child’s age group.  Some day nurseries do not take under-twos, and many get booked up months in advance. 
• That the day nursery operates a key carer system – babies in particular need to build up a relationship with one carer
• There are different cultures positively represented in the toys, books and wall displays
• That the premises are clean, light, and child-centred with plenty of safe space to play inside and out.  The facilities should be ideal for your child throughout their time there, with different areas or rooms, depending on age.  The children should seem happy and relaxed and be well supervised at all times by staff who communicate well and warmly with them.

Questions to ask:

• What is the ratio of carers to staff and what was the turnover of staff in the last year?
• What are the routine activities?
• When and where are the sleep sessions? 
• Will they take the children off the day nursery premises? 
• Can they provide a special diet if required?
• What is their policy on discipline?
• Is there an opportunity to talk to the carer at the beginning and end of each day?
• What is their settling-in policy?