--- title: "Choosing a Nursery: The 10-Point Parent Checklist | Nursery Advice" description: "The complete UK checklist for choosing a nursery — from Ofsted ratings and staff turnover to settling-in and fees. Use it on every visit." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "logo": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/__l5e/assets-v1/18ee05cb-93ee-4d8a-b535-85644088f16f/nursery-advice-social-share.png", "sameAs": [ "https://twitter.com/nurseryadvice" ], "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer support", "email": "hello@nurseryadvice.co.uk", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": [ "English" ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Choosing a nursery: a parent’s 10-point checklist", "description": "The complete UK checklist for choosing a nursery — from Ofsted ratings and staff turnover to settling-in and fees. Use it on every visit.", "datePublished": "2026-05-31", "dateModified": "2026-05-31", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice editorial team", "url": "/parent-hub/editorial-standards" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "/parent-hub/choosing-a-nursery-checklist" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Parent Hub", "item": "/parent-hub" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Choosing a nursery: a parent’s 10-point checklist", "item": "/parent-hub/choosing-a-nursery-checklist" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How early should I start looking for a nursery place?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In London and most cities, popular settings have waitlists of 9–18 months . Outside cities, 3–6 months is usually enough. As soon as you know your return-to-work date, start visiting — you can always change your mind." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is an \"Outstanding\" Ofsted always better than a \"Good\"?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Not necessarily. A recent Good with a strong report and stable staff can be a better fit than an old Outstanding with high turnover. The grade is a useful filter; the report and your visit decide it." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How many nurseries should I visit?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Two or three is typical. More than four and they blur together. Use the checklist on every visit — a written score sheet beats a fading memory." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should I do if I disagree with how my nursery handles something?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Raise it informally with the key person first, then in writing with the manager. If unresolved, every Ofsted-registered setting must have a complaints policy. As a last resort, you can complain to Ofsted ." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are nursery chains better or worse than independents?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Both can be brilliant or poor. Chains often have more consistent processes and back-office support; good independents often have lower staff turnover and stronger local relationships. Judge each setting on its own report and visit, not the brand." } } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) In this article 1. 1. [1\. Check the Ofsted grade — and read the actual report](#check-ofsted) 2. 2. [2\. Ask about staff turnover and the key person system](#staff-turnover) 3. 3. [3\. Check the staff-to-child ratios in practice](#ratios) 4. 4. [4\. Understand the settling-in policy in detail](#settling-in) 5. 5. [5\. Get the full fee schedule in writing](#fees-and-funding) 6. 6. [6\. Look at the food](#food) 7. 7. [7\. Check the outdoor space](#outdoor) 8. 8. [8\. Ask about the curriculum (in plain English)](#curriculum) 9. 9. [9\. Check the safeguarding basics](#safeguarding) 10. 10. [10\. Trust the smell test (and your gut)](#gut-check) [Home](/)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)Choosing childcare Choosing childcare # Choosing a nursery: a parent’s 10-point checklist Visit days are short and emotional. Walk in with this 10-point checklist and you’ll come out with a clear answer — not just a vibe. Built from our review of 28,000+ Ofsted reports. Reviewed by the Nursery Advice editorial team Last updated 31 May 2026 Next review 30 November 2026 [Editorial standards](/parent-hub/editorial-standards) Most parents visit two or three nurseries before choosing one, and the visits run together quickly: "they were all so nice". This 10-point checklist gives you a structure to compare them properly — it covers everything from the Ofsted grade through to the specific questions that tend to flush out problems before you sign a contract. It’s built from our analysis of **28,162 settings** in the Nursery Advice directory and the most common findings flagged by Ofsted inspectors in 2024–26 reports. ## 1\. Check the Ofsted grade — and read the actual report The headline grade (Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate) is the start, not the answer. Read the most recent report itself — it’s usually 3–6 pages. Look for: - **When the last inspection was.** A 5-year-old "Outstanding" tells you less than a year-old "Good". - **The "what does the setting do well" section.** Specifics beat generalities. "Staff sing with children every day" is more meaningful than "staff are nurturing". - **The "what does the setting need to do to improve" section.** Even Outstanding settings get areas to improve. Are they significant (safeguarding, curriculum) or minor (paperwork)? - **Quotes from parents and children.** Inspectors include direct quotes — they’re a window into the day-to-day culture. We make this easy On every [nursery listing](/search) we link directly to the official Ofsted PDF and surface the parent quotes, areas to improve and full inspection history in plain English. ## 2\. Ask about staff turnover and the key person system Settled children means settled staff. Ask: _"How long have your room leaders been here?"_ and _"How many of the team in my child’s room are the same as a year ago?"_ - High turnover (more than a third of staff churning each year) is a meaningful red flag. - Ask how the **key person** system works. Every child should have a named key person who tracks their development, learns their preferences and is the main link to you. - What happens if the key person is off sick or leaves? Good settings have a buddy key person ready. ## 3\. Check the staff-to-child ratios in practice The statutory minimums in England are: **1:3 for under-2s, 1:5 for 2-year-olds, 1:8 for 3- and 4-year-olds**. Many settings choose to run a richer ratio for under-2s. ### What to actually observe - Count the adults and children in each room during your visit. - Are staff _with_ the children (down on the floor, eye-level, talking) or _monitoring_ from the side? - During lunch and nappy change — the highest-pressure moments — is anyone clearly stretched? ## 4\. Understand the settling-in policy in detail Good settings build settling around **your child**, not a fixed timetable. Ask what their default plan looks like — typically 2–3 short visits with a parent, then a short stay alone, then a longer one — and ask what they do if your child finds it harder. Push back if the answer is "they all settle in by day three". They don’t. ## 5\. Get the full fee schedule in writing Headline session prices can hide a lot. Ask for a written breakdown including: - Hourly or session rate by age band. - Consumables charge (nappies, sun cream, meals). - Fees during holidays and bank holidays. - Notice period to end your place and any deposit/registration fees. - How [funded hours](/parent-hub/30-hours-free-childcare) work in practice — stretched across 52 weeks or term-time only. - Whether they accept [Tax-Free Childcare or vouchers](/parent-hub/tax-free-childcare-vs-vouchers). ## 6\. Look at the food Food is where culture shows. Ask to see a current menu, ask who plans it (an in-house cook beats reheated catering), and ask how they handle: - Allergies and intolerances — especially nut, dairy and egg. - Cultural and religious preferences. - Refusal — do staff pressure children to eat or follow a "trust the child" approach? - Snacks — are they fresh fruit and water, or sweet biscuits and juice? ## 7\. Check the outdoor space Children should get **at least one significant outdoor session per day**, even in wet weather. Visit the garden and ask: - Is there free-flow access (children can go in and out at will) or is outdoor time scheduled? - What’s the weather rule? Many good settings borrow Forest School wisdom — "there’s no bad weather, only bad clothes". - Is the garden interesting? Mud kitchens, growing beds, climbing equipment, water trays all suggest real outdoor learning. ## 8\. Ask about the curriculum (in plain English) Every English nursery must follow the [Early Years Foundation Stage](/parent-hub/eyfs-explained-for-parents) framework, but how they bring it to life varies hugely. Ask: - How do you decide what activities to plan? (Should mention "following children’s interests" and "next steps".) - How do you share my child’s progress with me? (Look for regular conversations, not just a glossy app.) - What does a typical day look like for a child of my child’s age? ## 9\. Check the safeguarding basics You’re entitled to ask, and any setting worth choosing will be glad you did: - Who is the **designated safeguarding lead**? When were they last trained? - What’s the policy for collection — password, ID, who can collect? - How do you manage **illness and exclusion**? Especially relevant for sickness and Calpol policies. - How is medication stored, administered and recorded? ## 10\. Trust the smell test (and your gut) Walk through with your senses open. What does it smell like, sound like, look like? Are children: - Engaged and at ease — not sitting silent at tables, not running wild? - Being spoken to by name and at their eye level? - Allowed to make mess and clean it up? - Treated kindly when something goes wrong? If something feels off and you can’t put your finger on it, that _is_ data. Visit a second time, unannounced, and see if the feeling changes. ## Frequently asked questions How early should I start looking for a nursery place? In London and most cities, popular settings have waitlists of **9–18 months**. Outside cities, 3–6 months is usually enough. As soon as you know your return-to-work date, start visiting — you can always change your mind. Is an "Outstanding" Ofsted always better than a "Good"? Not necessarily. A recent Good with a strong report and stable staff can be a better fit than an old Outstanding with high turnover. The grade is a useful filter; the report and your visit decide it. How many nurseries should I visit? Two or three is typical. More than four and they blur together. Use the checklist on every visit — a written score sheet beats a fading memory. What should I do if I disagree with how my nursery handles something? Raise it informally with the key person first, then in writing with the manager. If unresolved, every Ofsted-registered setting must have a complaints policy. As a last resort, you can [complain to Ofsted](https://www.gov.uk/complain-ofsted-childcare-provider). Are nursery chains better or worse than independents? Both can be brilliant or poor. Chains often have more consistent processes and back-office support; good independents often have lower staff turnover and stronger local relationships. Judge each setting on its own report and visit, not the brand. ## Ready to find a brilliant nursery? Search every Ofsted-registered setting in the UK — by postcode, age group, funded hours and more. [Use the checklist on real nurseries near you](/search) ## About this guide & sources Every numerical claim in this guide is sourced from UK government, NHS or recognised charity publications. We re-check each source on the article’s review date. 1. Ofsted — [Early years inspection handbook](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-inspection-handbook) (retrieved 2026-05-11) 2. GOV.UK — [Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2) (retrieved 2026-05-11) ## Keep reading [ Funding & money ### 30 hours of funded childcare — the 2026 working parents’ guide From September 2025, working parents in England can access up to 30 hours of government-funded childcare a week from when their child is nine months old. Here’s exactly who qualifies, what counts, and how to apply. Read guide ](/parent-hub/30-hours-free-childcare)[ Early years education ### EYFS in plain English: what your child actually learns at nursery Every nursery, childminder and reception class in England follows the Early Years Foundation Stage. Here’s what it covers, how it works in practice, and the questions worth asking your nursery. Read guide ](/parent-hub/eyfs-explained-for-parents)[ Funding & money ### Tax-Free Childcare vs childcare vouchers — which saves more? Childcare vouchers closed to new applicants in 2018 but thousands of parents still hold accounts. Should you switch to Tax-Free Childcare? Here’s the maths. Read guide ](/parent-hub/tax-free-childcare-vs-vouchers) [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/) The independent UK nursery directory. Built with Ofsted data, kept current weekly. For parents - [Search nurseries](/search) - [Parent Hub](/parent-hub) - [Saved nurseries](/saved) - [Compare](/compare) For nurseries - [Promote Your Nursery](/for-nurseries) - [Claim a listing](/claim) - [Nursery dashboard](/owner) - [Sign in](/auth) Browse by location - [London](/nurseries/london) - [South East](/nurseries/south-east) - [North West](/nurseries/north-west) - [West Midlands](/nurseries/west-midlands) - [Yorkshire](/nurseries/yorkshire-and-the-humber) - [See all regions →](/nurseries) About - [About us](/about-us) - [Editorial policy](/parent-hub/editorial-standards) - [Contact us](/contact) - [Blog](/blog) - Data sources: Ofsted MI, GIAS [](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590427415951)[](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nurseryadvice-co-uk)[](https://uk.pinterest.com/NurseryAdvice/) Ofsted data & reports Inspection reports, ratings and provider details displayed on this site are sourced from [Ofsted](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/) and contain public sector information published under the [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/). Nursery Advice is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ofsted or any government body. © 2026 Better Search Limited (company no. 17209315), trading as Nursery Advice. All rights reserved. Contact: [hello@nurseryadvice.co.uk](mailto:hello@nurseryadvice.co.uk). [Terms of service](/terms)[Privacy policy](/privacy)Made for parents.