How to choose the right nursery for your child

Trust your first impression

Nursery websites can tell you a lot, but nothing beats stepping through the door. When you visit a nursery, pay attention to how it feels. Do staff greet children warmly? Are children engaged in activities? Does the environment seem calm, busy and purposeful rather than chaotic?

You don't need to be an Early Years expert to spot a nurturing environment. Often, parents say they simply had a good feeling when they walked in, and that's worth listening to.

Look at the children, not just the facilities

It's easy to be impressed by a shiny new play area or a room full of resources. But one of the best indicators of quality is watching how children interact with staff and their surroundings.

Are children confidently exploring? Do they seem comfortable asking for help? Are staff getting down to children's level and joining in conversations and play? Happy, secure children are often the strongest sign that a nursery is doing something right.

Ask what a typical day looks like

No two nurseries operate in the same way. Some will have a strong focus on outdoor learning, others may place particular emphasis on creative activities, sensory play or child-led exploration, so it’s important to ask staff to talk you through a typical day.

You might discover that children spend time outdoors every day, enjoy storytelling sessions, take part in creative projects, help care for plants, or explore the world around them through play. Hearing real examples often tells you more than reading a list of facilities.

Don't be afraid to ask questions

Nursery teams expect parents to have lots of questions, so never worry about asking them.

You might want to find out:

• How do you help children settle in?

• What happens if my child is upset?

• How do you keep parents updated?

• How much time do children spend outdoors?

• How do you support friendships and social development?

• What does a typical meal or snack look like?

There are no silly questions when it comes to your child, and getting the answers for these questions is a great way to help you choose a nursery.

Think about your child's personality

Every child is different, some children are eager to jump straight into new experiences, while others prefer to stay close to familiar adults until they feel comfortable. When choosing a nursery, think about what environment might suit your child's temperament.

A good nursery won't expect every child to settle in the same way. Instead, staff should take time to get to know each child as an individual and adapt their approach where needed.

Outdoor play matters

Younger children learn through doing, exploring and experiencing. That's why access to outdoor play is so important. Whether children are digging in the sand, balancing on equipment, hunting for bugs or simply running around with friends, outdoor experiences support both physical development and wellbeing.

When you visit, ask how often children spend time outside and what kinds of activities they enjoy. Find out more about our nurseries outdoor play offerings.

Consider how the nursery works with parents

A nursery should feel like an extension of your child's support network, not somewhere that operates separately from family life, which is why good communication makes a huge difference.

Regular updates, conversations at pick-up time and opportunities to share your child's interests, achievements and routines can help create consistency between home and nursery. After all, nobody knows your child better than you do.

Remember that settling in takes time

It's natural to worry if your child doesn't immediately wave goodbye and run off to play. Settling into a new environment is a big step and every child approaches it differently.

Some settle within a few days and others take a little longer. What's important is that the nursery has a thoughtful settling-in process and works closely with families to help children build confidence at their own pace.

When you're comparing nurseries, it's easy to focus on checklists and practicalities. Those things matter, but so do the small details: the way staff speak to children, the atmosphere in the rooms, the excitement on children's faces as they play and explore.

At the end of the day, choosing a nursery is about finding a place where your child feels valued, supported and happy to learn, when you find that feeling, you'll usually know.

If you'd like to visit one of our Birmingham Day Nurseries, please take a look at our website to see which one suits your family best and ask about a tour. Although we belong to University of Birmingham, we care for children from local families, not just those with links to the university. We look forward to meeting you!