Looking at a nursery on mon what am i looking for & asking

[ChelseaHarvey]

Have just phoned a nursery and am looking at it on monday at 3.30am, i am going to put alfie in 2 days a week to start with, see how he goes, have to say im looking foward to it and it will be a nice break

All i no is that its from 8am-6pm and they provide food etc, apparently its a nice one.

So what am i looking for and what sort of questions do i need to ask??

[*Fallen Angel*]

Are you taking Alfie with you to look around?

They should show you around. Also, they'll show/explain the policies, menus etc. They should explain how may staff per child and should have a key worker. There should be lots of activities and play too.

You'll probably get a gut instinct too as well as noticing how happy the children appear to be.

[ChelseaHarvey]

Yes im taking alfie with me

[donna-j]

Take note of how they act with Alfie too.

Do they get outside much with the kids?

Do they get taken on walks/outings?

What 'extras' do they charge for (the nursery Thomas is going to will offer French and music at 3)?

Do they provide nappies?

How do they report back on what has happened that day.

However, I found that I didn't have to ask anything, as they are so used to doing these tours that they tell you it all anyway.

[lewpylew]

Good for you Gem!

Hope it goes well. You will prob get a vibe if you like it or not. Do not be discouraged if you don't as I put Henry in the 3rd one we visited.

Look at the ofsted report - will give you a guideline on how it meets standards xx :ellie:

[Cheetara]

Gemma, have a look on Taz's thread. I posted some bits on there :smile:

http://www.damsels.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3336

[Cherrypie]

CH, am I right in saying that you don't work? In which case you might want to ask if they'd take Alfie for half days rather than full days.

[Tazdevil]

Hey Gemma!

Yep, defo take a look at my thread over on parenting chat, everyone was really helpful to me - and got a FAB LIST :o)

Gut instinct goes a long long way once you have the proper questions answered and like someone said above (mush head) they are so used to the questions that they practically give you everything you need to know as they take you around. I was also pleased to visit the other areas of the nursery that they progress onto dependent upon age, as if this goes well with Kaede then I would obviously want to stick with them until school age :o)

It was good having Kaede with me actually, you will be pleased to see (like I was) how Alfie interacts with both the staff and the other children in there. Personally, and what came as the biggest shock to me yesterday....was how MUCH Kaede seemed enthralled by the place - I just cannot clearly stimulate her enough in our teeny weeny house, and this nursery offers have fantastic opportunities that I'm impressed with. It's strange how people tell you 'you'll know' but it's so true 'you'll know' honey :o)

[ChelseaHarvey]

Thanxs everyone & TD il have a look at your thread

[ChelseaHarvey]

Thanxs everyone & TD i have a look at your thread must have missed it yesterday :-)

[donna-j]

Hey Gemma!

and like someone said above (mush head) they are so used to the questions that they practically give you everything you need to know as they take you around.

Are you calling me a mush head? :fight: :teehee:

[ChelseaHarvey]

Look at the ofsted report - will give you a guideline on how it meets standards xx :ellie:

Have seen this and they have a really good one

[ChelseaHarvey]

CH, am I right in saying that you don't work? In which case you might want to ask if they'd take Alfie for half days rather than full days.

Yes CP i dont work at the mo but come end of the month i have promtional work through the summer at carshows and events with honda so he will need to go in the whole day and possibly for the whole week sometimes.

[Tazdevil]

Are you calling me a mush head? :fight: :teehee:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :doh: :doh: :lol: :lol:

[ChelseaHarvey]

Went & had a look today & loved it, there great there, and were so friendly & inviting when we walked in, alfie stayed with them and played while we looked round and settled in fine

Its a big place and they do so much, he is going in next month for 2 days to start with, i think that after the summer after the promotional work has finished for ar shows i might go back to work FT :faint: I mean why not 2 years i have been off work, and i think its time i went back, i think i need to for me, in fact id go back PT or 3/4 days a week if the money was good, a month to put alfie in 5 days a week is £600 so not bad at all.

[lewpylew]

Yay :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: Am so pleased for you both. Alfie will love it and you watch how he will change in so many ways. Henry's speech has really come on, he feeds himself brilliantly and his bedtimes have got earlier as he gets so tired :bow:

Re working I cannot wait to go back. I love being at home with the children, but if I work p/t I get the best of both worlds. I feel really lonely and miss the adult interaction but then I can earn money to do things with the H's.

What sort of work do you fancy doing?

Lewpy xx

[ChelseaHarvey]

Im not sure lewpey just not office work have done that all the time, i wouldnt mind doing promotional work for bars clubs even car garages but would want it to be quite regular work

[Booh]

Good for you gemma!

Alfie will love it - and so will you!! DD can't wait to start nursery, but she can't work out that she has to wait till next month as we have already done our settling in session and she loved it!

[spritzer]

I think this is the best news for you and for Alfie:cheer2:

Xander loves nursery and I am sure Alfie will. Also, you have been getting so frustrated with him over the last few months that it is probably a sign that you are both ready to broaden your horizons and have some time apart. Nursery will really help with the whinging and make him more independent and you'll soon see a big difference in him.

The summer work sounds good fun and, if you've both enjoyed the summer, it might be time to look for a longer term job in the autumn.