Signs of a good nursery

If you want to use a nursery for your child's care, try to visit a few different nurseries in your area. This will increase your chances of finding the nursery that meets your needs and your child's.

Your first impressions of a day nursery are important. Is there a friendly, warm atmosphere? Are the staff welcoming? Are the rooms and toys clean? And most importantly, do the children look happy and occupied?

This guide will help you to spot the signs of a good nursery.

Do day nurseries need to be registered and inspected?

Yes. All day nurseries are registered and inspected regularly by the appropriate authority:

• Lebanon: Moph (Minisrty Of Public Health)

A good day nursery will have their registration certificate displayed prominently. If it isn’t immediately apparent, ask the manager if you can see it.

You can also ask the nursery manager for a copy of the nursery's latest inspection report. This will tell you in which areas the nursery excels or needs to improve.

How do I find out if a day nursery has a good reputation?

Glowing recommendations from other parents may be enough to convince you that a particular day nursery is right for you and your child.

When you visit a day nursery, chat to one or two of the parents and get a feel for the place. If there are no other parents around when you go, ask the nursery if they can provide a few references or testimonials.

You can also talk to local parents at toddler groups to find out what they think of the day nursery you’re interested in.

What sort of policies should a day nursery have?

A day nursery should have clearly established policies for everything relevant to your child's care, from opening and closing times to dealing with emergencies.

You’ll want to know if the day nursery can be flexible. For example, will they allow you to pick up and drop off your child at different times if your working hours change at short notice?

Read the nursery's sickness policy to learn which illnesses will keep your little one at home, and for how long. Staying home with a poorly child can be inconvenient, but it's reassuring to know that the nursery takes illnesses seriously and doesn't want them to spread.

A good nursery should have an open-door policy that allows parents to drop in unannounced. Some nurseries go beyond this by encouraging you to help with activities or outings.

Find out what the nursery serves at meal times to make sure they offer a range of fresh, nutritious options. They should also cater for vegetarian children and those with food allergies or intolerances.

Ask how the nursery helps staff to develop and learn. This will tell you how much the staff are valued and whether their skills are up to date.

What activities should I expect to find in a good day nursery?

Your day nursery should provide activities suitable for your child’s age. They will be designed to encourage your child’s social, creative, communication and listening skills, as well as his physical and emotional development. Of course, your child will just see all this as different ways of playing!

Many day nurseries keep parents informed about any special events coming up, so you can talk about them with your child at home. For example, they may have an Easter Egg hunt in the spring, a teddy bear's picnic in summer or a celebration of light during Diwali.

Children learn through play, so look for somewhere that places a high value on children simply doing activities that they enjoy.

Some of the activities your child will take part in may include:

• playing with the sand pit, water table or playhouse
• painting, drawing, gluing and sticking
• creating with construction blocks and play dough
• moving and dancing to music
• listening to stories and reading
• doing jigsaws and puzzles
• cooking simple dishes
• singing songs and nursery rhymes

Choose a nursery with a wide range of age-appropriate and culturally diverse toys and books. These will boost your child’s development and stimulate imaginative play.

Look at the displays on the walls. You want to see plenty of drawings and paintings that the children have done themselves, which shows that their creativity is valued and encouraged.

A day nursery should have an outdoor area and outdoor equipment so children can play outside every day. City-based nurseries may not have enough space for an outdoor playground. But they should still provide a spacious indoor area and take children on regular visits to the local park or playground.

Some day nurseries also provide children with the chance to play learning games on a computer or tablet, under supervision from a member of staff.

Television and DVDs should play little or no part in what your child does at nursery. If videos are used occasionally, make sure that they're age-appropriate and educational.

What qualities should I look for in staff at a day nursery?

Good nursery workers will have an obvious passion for spending time with children, and show lots of care and attention to your child's needs. They'll be enthusiastic and friendly, and have the ability to deal with problems in a calm manner.

Staff should ask questions about your child’s health and care, as well as his current interests. They'll ask you about your routine, and talk about how they can help your child settle into his new environment.

Many nurseries have a key worker policy. Key workers are staff who are each responsible for a small group of children, meaning they can provide continuity of care. Your child's key worker will be your main point of contact, and will have a chat with you at the end of each day.

Ask the manager about staff turnover. Low staff turnover is one key to ensuring consistent, stable care for your child. If the staff seem overworked and stressed, then you may want to consider another nursery.

Do day nurseries have to follow health and safety regulations?

All day nurseries have to provide a safe environment for staff, children and visiting parents. You should satisfy yourself that steps have been taken to minimise every risk to your child.

You shouldn't see any broken or ageing play equipment on your visit. There should also be clear fire procedures, with well-marked fire exits and extinguishers.

Security should also be a high priority. Check that children can’t leave the building without being noticed, and that nobody can enter without valid reason.

Don’t forget to ask what extra security steps the nursery takes when children are on outings.

Floors, corridors, walls and the kitchen area must be spotless. Rubbish bins should not be left full, and the building should be suitably heated, well lit and properly ventilated.

Staff must be aware of the importance of personal hygiene. They should also follow appropriate hygiene procedures when helping your child in the toilet.