Learning choice for

Choosing childcare is one of the most important decisions you have to make as a parent.

Early Steps Nursery is one place where the team is happy to answer any questions you may have.

Here we offer you a plan to pick the perfect childcare.

Draw up a shortlist using information from your local family information service. Check the hours that they can provide childcare, the hourly/daily/weekly cost and if they have places available for your child.

Visit several settings and ask questions about the childcare provided.

Here are some questions you may want to ask:

What is the ratio of staff to children? How many children do you care for?

What qualifications and experience do you have?

What are the daily routines and how can you incorporate my child’s and other children’s routines?

Do you operate a key worker scheme, whereby one member of staff has main responsibility for my child?

What are your policies on discipline and how do you manage children’s behaviour?

Do you provide meals, snacks, nappies, etc, or will I need to provide them?

It might help to take a friend and or your child on the visits to help you decide.

Take up references from other parents who have used that service. Don’t be afraid to ask for their honest opinion of the care offered at the centre you are considering.

And once you make your decision you can book your child’s place and arrange details like hours, start date and who is allowed to pick up your child. What happens when they start nursery? Your child may take some time to settle into any new childcare setting so allow them time to adjust to their new surroundings, especially if this is their first time in childcare.