10 questions to ask at a nursery open day

Choosing a nursery is a big decision. You want to find a nursery setting where your child will feel safe, supported and happy while having plenty of opportunities to learn, play and develop.

A nursery open day is the perfect chance to explore the setting, meet the nursery team and get a feel for your child’s day. But with so much to take in and to consider, it can be difficult to know what to ask.

To help you make the most of your nursery visit, here are our suggestions for 10 key questions to ask at a nursery open day.

1. What does a typical day look like?

Ask the nursery team to talk you through a typical day, from arrival and mealtimes to activities, outdoor time, rest and pick up. You may want to ask what the older age groups do too, if your child is starting in the baby room. This will give you a better idea of your child’s day and how the nursery balances daily routines with free play and child-led learning.

2. How do you support children’s learning and development?

Ask how nursery practitioners plan activities around children’s interests and stages of development.

You could also ask how they support child-led learning and how your child’s progress is monitored and shared with parents. This can give you a valuable insight into the nursery’s approach to early years education.

This will also give you the opportunity to gauge how they view and value parent partnership with all developmental milestones. It is also the time to ask questions about working together in cases of a child who may have Special Educational Needs (SEND) or other causes for concern.

At GrandirUK nurseries, your child’s learning and progress are captured and shared through the Grandir UK app daily, helping families stay connected to their child’s day, experiences and achievements every step of the way.

3. What are your staff-to-child ratios and qualifications?

The nursery team will play an important role in your child’s experience, so don’t be afraid to ask about staff-to-child ratios, staff qualifications and experience.

The standard staff-to-child ratio in early years settings is one practitioner to three children for children under two, one practitioner to five children for two-year-olds, and one practitioner to eight children for children aged three and four. However, ratios can vary depending on the age and needs of the children, as well as the qualifications and experience of the nursery team.

You could also ask about staff training and ongoing professional development, including whether nursery staff are first aid trained.

4. How do you help children settle into nursery?

Starting nursery can be a big change for children and families. Ask about the nursery’s settling-in process and whether you can visit before your child’s first day. All GrandirUK nurseries run settling-in sessions, allowing children and families to get familiar with nursery life and meet the team before their official start day.

Also, if you have a child who tends to be quite anxious, find out how practitioners support children who find separation difficult and how they communicate with parents during this time.

5. How much time do children spend outdoors?

During your nursery open day tour, take a look at the outdoor spaces and ask how children use them throughout the day.

Find out about outdoor learning, physical activity, and opportunities to explore nature and enjoy fresh air. You can also ask whether children have regular outdoor time throughout the year.

6. How do you support children’s wellbeing?

Your child’s wellbeing should be a top priority, so ask how practitioners support children’s emotional and physical needs. Try and gain an understanding of how staff interact with children for example, do practitioners get down to children’s eye level? Are children typically happy and comfortable around them? Find out how nursery staff respond when children are upset or frustrated and how they encourage positive relationships, confidence and independence.

Another tip is looking at reviews on nursery review websites like DayNurseries to gain a family’s perspective.

7. What is your approach to food?

Ask what nutritious meals and snacks are provided and how the nursery manages dietary requirements and allergies. Also, it’s worth asking how often the menus are refreshed.

8. How do you keep children safe?

Ask about safeguarding policies, safety measures and emergency procedures.

You could also ask how visitors enter the nursery, how children are supervised and how pick-up arrangements work. A good nursery should be happy to explain how they keep children safe in detail.

9. What are your opening hours and nursery fees?

There are practical questions to consider too. Ask about opening hours, nursery fees, childcare funding options and any additional costs for meals or activities. These are generally on nursery websites if you wanted to look beforehand and ask any questions during your visit.` It is also worth asking about holidays and what happens if you need to change your child’s sessions.

10. What makes your nursery the right choice for my child?

Every nursery is different, so ask the nursery manager what makes their setting special and how they would support your child’s individual needs and interests.

There is no single checklist for choosing a nursery. Every family will have different values and things they want to prioritise in a nursery setting. The right nursery is one where you feel confident that your child will be safe, supported and encouraged to learn and develop.

Come and visit us at our Open Day

Our upcoming Grandir UK Open Day on 2 or 3 October is a great opportunity to see one of our nurseries for yourself.

Meet our nursery team, explore our enriching learning environments and outdoor spaces, and ask any questions you may have about your child’s care, learning and development. Whether you are just starting to explore childcare options or are ready to find the right nursery for your family, we would love to welcome you.

Find your nearest GrandirUK nursery and book your place at our Autumn Open Day today!