Your top tip!
Those who are already using childcare, what is your top tip for those parents who are starting to look or about to start using childcare?
Mine would be to understand that the way you parent isn't 'normal'. So ask ALL the questions you want to! Ask what they do in certain situations to make sure it is something that you would be happy happening to your child.
I have supported parents as an emergency nanny who have pulled their child out of childcare simply because they didn't understand the setting they chose (setting had done nothing wrong, they just had a different style to the parents).
Save yourself the same stress! I have written a guide/journal to support you so you can ask all the important questions (the book has over 130 questions!)
What's your top tip?
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Ask about key workers.
How often they do observations and learning journals.
Ask about their planning so you have a rough idea of the learning ideas such as is it child led or adult led?
How often are nappies done.
Can they do the same nap time routine as you do at home as some nurseries will such as rocking and feeding to sleep while some don’t.
Where do children sleep?
How do they deal with illnesses and allergies? How often do children eat?
Just some things to ask as someone who works in a private nursery😊x
Some great questions to ask
Are there any red flags parents should look out for?
Child to staff ratios, key workers and illness, how they rotate the staff through rooms. Transitions.
I found that I got soooo much information on the walk around that I got my questions answered and more besides.
And if they don't do a walk around the nursery setting with you, this would be a red flag to me!
great questions to be asking!
That is fantastic that your setting gave you so much info when they showed you around. Some are brilliant and then others can be a bit more 'here is the space, what questions do you have' so it always pays to be prepared!
Completely agree with you on the red flag if they won't do a walk around. Some settings won't do walk arounds when children are there, and while I know some of these settings can be brilliant, it is worth considering if this is something you are comfortable with as a parent as everyone will be different :)
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