Here at Muddy Boots, we appreciate that finding a nursery which is the right fit for you & your little one and is no small task! Amongst all the different options, styles, methods and locations, you obviously want a place at a setting your little one and you as a family can call home throughout their most formulative years.
Once you have made your way through google searches, website scouring, phone calls and emails, you will eventually make your way to a setting for your all-important personal tour. This is your first opportunity to have a proper look round, get a real feel for the nursery and ask all the important questions you need answering to make a properly informed choice.
At both our settings, we love showing a whole batch of families round each week, and often get asked very similar questions each time… How much is a full day? Is there a sign-up fee? How long are sessions?
Please don’t get the wrong impression, we know how vital the answers to those questions are, but we think there are some more important things which often aren’t asked about, hence why we have put this little blog together, to make sure you are armed with our top 5 questions to ask at any nursery show round!
What’s their story?
We think that when choosing a nursery, their story is really important! How long have they existed, who started the nursery and why, have they always been at the current venue and what are their ambitions moving forward are all great questions to ask, because before getting to know about the nursery, you have to get know the nursery!
What are their core values?
More important than their practice is a settings values, as these are the things which shape and provide a foundation for the way settings do what they do, so find out what theirs are and if they align with your family values.
What is their vision for the future?
As well as finding out where they have been, its vital to find out where they are heading! You are potentially going to place your child in their care for 4+ years, so you are going to want to know where they plan to be within that time.
What is their ethos?
This is where you will start to find out more about the way they do things, and what unique, special something they offer which other settings don’t. Ask about what their days look like, how they nurture each child as an individual and how they ensure each child has a brilliant experience every single day!
How will they communicate with you?
What will be a really vital thing throughout your child’s nursery journey is the communication between you, your child’s key staff member and the other practitioners in their room. Make sure you know how they will keep you updated on all the great things your child has done that day, as well as any important incidents. In addition, how do they communicate the journey and developments at the site, ensuring you know everything you need to!
Once you have an idea of all of the above, it’s time to move onto all the details, such as costs, times and space!
We really do hope this helps and aids you in getting the most out of any setting visit you book in when thinking about your little one.
If you would like to book into come and see Muddy Boots in either Acomb or Poppleton, give the relevant site a quick call, and one of our management team will book it in at a convenient time for you and your family!
Muddy Boots Acomb: 01904 784675
Muddy Boots Poppleton: 01904 289291
