What to ask at a nursery open day?
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How many kids are they allowed to take and how many does the manager want to take…hopefully there is a big difference! Do they call you to collect after a slight temp raise or do they give calpol snd keep them in (gold question if working full time!!!)
Ask them about staff turnover and how long the key staff members have been there - a friend recommended that we ask this when we were looking and it was super useful! xx
In the case of staff illness do they use an agency? If so will the staff known/ familiar to my child be providing the personal care?
How many staff in the room are first aid trained
If your child doesn’t eat/ like the lunch options are they offered an alternative or can you send a pack up on those days as back up.
If your child was hurt or upset are staff allowed to offer a hug for comfort? This stems from some schools have a no touch policy but obviously nurseries need to provide personal care. And do they support a child with toileting once they are toilet trained following an accident. My friends nursery sent her back with poo still up her bum and in her pants because she hadn’t mastered it with poo’s yet. I did tell her to complain
Hey, don’t feel afraid to ask about Montessori methods. Our nursery told us they do certain bits to follow those, without us even asking. I would ask if they cook food on site or have it delivered. Are they using any app to give you updates (not a must as our current one doesn’t and it works as well). The staff ratio in the room? Do you need to provide nappies etc? What are daily activities, dance etc? Also check Ofstead rating and for any pending cases. Also ask to see where babies sleep and how often they wash the sleeping bags.