How To Choose A Nursery
Starting nursery is a big milestone — not just for your little one, but for you too. It’s the first step on their learning journey beyond home, and naturally, you want to find somewhere where they’ll feel safe, happy, and inspired to thrive.
At Little Adventures Nursery, we understand how important this choice is, and we’re here to help you make it with confidence.
Here’s what to consider when choosing a nursery, and what you might want to look out for during your tour.
First Impressions Matter
When you visit a nursery, how you feel is important. The environment should feel welcoming and homely, with staff who are friendly, engaged, and genuinely interested in the children. Happy, settled children and relaxed, responsive staff are always positive signs that you’ve found somewhere special.
Take a moment to observe — is there laughter, conversation, calmness? These little things tell you a lot about a nursery’s culture and ethos.
A Strong Curriculum with the Whole Child at Heart
A great nursery doesn’t just offer care — it offers rich learning experiences too. Look for a setting that has a clear curriculum focused on developing all aspects of a child’s early growth: communication, social skills, independence, creativity, and resilience.
At Little Adventures Nursery, our Future Ready Curriculum is designed to help children become RICH learners: Resilient, Independent, Curious, and Happy. We celebrate every milestone, big and small, through sequenced learning goals and personalised Thrive targets.
Ask about how the nursery supports learning through play, language development, and emotional wellbeing — these are the building blocks of future success.
The Importance of Relationships
One of the most valuable things a nursery can offer is strong, nurturing relationships between staff, children, and parents. Each child should have a dedicated Key Person — someone who truly knows them, supports their learning, and champions their progress.
Good communication with families is essential too. Whether it’s daily updates, learning journals, or secure apps like Famly (which we use at Little Adventures), a strong partnership with parents shows that the nursery values working together.
During your visit, feel free to ask how the setting supports children’s transitions, emotional needs, and daily routines.
Safety, Care, and Wellbeing
High standards of safety and wellbeing should underpin every part of nursery life. When you visit, look for calm, well-organised environments where children can explore safely, supported by well-trained, caring adults.
At Little Adventures Nursery, we invest heavily in staff training, with enhanced paediatric first aid training for all team members and defibrillators on-site. Our kitchens are 5-star food hygiene rated, and we promote healthy eating, active play, and emotional resilience every day.
Good nurseries will happily talk you through their safeguarding procedures, food standards, outdoor play policies, and approach to health and wellbeing.
Questions You Might Want to Ask
Choosing a nursery is personal, and it’s okay to come prepared with questions. Some good ones might include:
- How do you help new children settle in?
- What does a typical day look like?
- How do you support children’s emotional wellbeing?
- How do you involve parents in nursery life?
- What training and support do your team members receive?
The way a nursery responds will help you feel reassured and informed.
Choosing a Place That Feels Right
Ultimately, choosing a nursery isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about finding a place where you feel confident leaving your child, knowing they will be cherished, challenged, and celebrated.
Trust your instincts as well as the information you gather. Look for a nursery that feels warm, genuine, and committed to every child’s individual journey.
At Little Adventures Nursery, we are proud to offer a place where children are free to be themselves, develop their strengths, and prepare for the bright future ahead.
Come and Visit Us
We would love to show you around Little Adventures Nursery and help you get a true feel for what makes our settings so special. Get in touch today to arrange a visit — and start your child’s next little adventure with confidence.
