Page 56
Nursery Hunting: It Is Never Too Soon.
Words Ashley Straker
Gone are the days of parents walking into a nursery and thinking their child can start immediately after filling out an application form. Nowadays, there are countless children to contend with and ridiculous lengthy waiting lists that could easily give the Hermes lists a run for their money. Whether you already have a child, or you are currently expecting, it is never too early to start considering their learning journey. You may be wondering, what the perfect age is for your child to begin nursery, and the honest answer is, there is none. The best time is when you, as a parent believe your child is ready. However, be prepared to be met with the countless amount of information and an overload of articles and blogs stating the ‘best’ nurseries of the year or in the ‘World’. Finding the ‘right’ one can be a very daunting task and takes time and research. Be ready and willing to put in the work as a nursery, is the beginning of your child’s development.
There are many factors that can play a role in your decision as a parent, to pick the right place for your child. Here are 5 things to consider before you do so:
The Staff
The adults within a nursery are vital to your child’s overall experience. These individuals will be spending most of the day with your bundle of joy and are paramount to their development. Make sure you ask about staff retention. How many teachers have passed through the nursery? The worst thing you want is your child’s learning to be disturbed within an academic year. Consider if the staff seem happy and enjoy what they do. Having happy and content adults will probably amount to your child also being content. Speak to the adults and get a feel of their character and personality. Most likely you will be interacting with them throughout the year, and you want those conversations of your child not being able to share with little Timmy, to go down smoothly. Also, take note of how the adults interact with other children and parents at the nursery.
Learning Environment
Always make sure you physically visit the nursery in question. During this time, it may be slightly difficult in some circumstances but, has the organisation offered you images or a virtual tour? This could indicate that they appreciate you as a parent knowing what the learning environment looks like and they take pride in the facilities they have to offer. Whilst there, have a look and ask about the range of resources available. You want your child’s first experiences not to be limited because of a lack of supplies. Check for multi-sensory toys, role play areas or outdoor spaces for children to explore. Your child will be spending a couple of years in this place and it is better to know from early what is being provided. Ensure the rooms and bathrooms are clean and you like the food they offer for lunch or snack time. This may seem tedious, but in the long run, you will be satisfied knowing you ticked all the boxes.
Visions, Aims and Values
What does the school value and believe in? What do they aim to achieve in your child’s life? Have they got a vision and is it clear? All these questions can probably be found on nursery websites, but it is also great to ask staff when visiting. It is a lovely feeling when you and the nursery want the same thing for your child and aims to work together to achieve it. Get to know how they manage behaviour or go about potty training. You can also dig deeper and read their Ofsted report. This is accessible online and gives a great overview of the nursery.
Friends and family
This does not mean speaking to every member of your family or receiving unwarranted advice from a distant aunt. You need to speak to specific family members that, have children of their own or have already gone through this process. At times you may have friends whose children also attend your desired nursery. If so, speak to them and ask about their first-hand experiences. If you trust these individuals, then they can help make the process a little easier and point out other things to look out for and consider.
Curriculum
Every nursery has a particular way of recording your child’s learning. Ask to look at some examples of these journals or books as this is how your own child’s learning will be recorded. These journals will show you the overall learning and the curriculum your child will be exposed to. Consider the various experiences the nursery has to offer. Do the children go on trips or have special visitors? Do they offer various topics in the curriculum? You want to make sure your child has access to a range of things and not just something that can be accessed anywhere.
These 5 reasons are not the sole factors to consider when thinking of a nursery however, it is a great start in the right direction. Not only do you have to think of the ‘right’ nursery but, you also may need to prepare your little one. This may look like preparing them to be accustomed to being away from you or just being able to be around other children. That first day can be overwhelming when a child is met with a load of new faces and a room full of similar-looking tiny people. At least you know as a parent, you would have done your best to help them at the start of their learning journey.