What You Should Know About Day Nurseries?

Listed below are some questions you might like to ask us: -

Staffing

• Does the Nursery Manager hold any childcare or teaching qualifications?
What qualifications do the staff have?

• Are there any untrained or unqualified staff employed?

• what is the staff ratio? (The 1989 Children Act requires the following: for children aged from 2 to 3 years a ratio of 1 to 4, and for children aged 4 to 5 years a ratio of l to 8.) Do you think this is enough?

• How are staff ratios maintained during staff breaks and over lunchtime

• IS the Officer-in-Charge or her Deputy on the premises at all times?

• Is the Officer-in-Charge supernumerary? (She should be if there are more than 20 places).

• Are there students on placement? Are they counted in the ratio? (They should not be).

• How many of the staff are First Aiders?

• How many of the staff have the Food and Hygiene certificate?

Food And Hygiene

• Who decides on the menus for snacks and main meals?

• What if a child does not eat at lunch time?

• Are the dietary needs (religious/medical) of individual children taken into account?

• How does the nursery dispose of nappies?

• How do you ensure that your premises and toys are kept clean and germ free?

Safety And Security

• Are Fire Drills practised? Ask to see the logbook.

• Is there a Health and Safety Policy? Where is it displayed?

• How do you ensure that all children are safe on the premises?

• How do you ensure that no unauthorised person collects a child?

• How do you ensure that children cannot gain access to hazardous materials?

• What is the medication procedure?

• What is the procedure for recording accidents?

General

• How many children is the nursery registered to take?

• Is the Registration Certificate displayed?

• What policies and procedures are held and are they available for parents to read?

• What records does the Nursery Manager keep?

• Has there ever been a complaint made the nursery to the Social Services?

And Finally

• There are many many more questions to ask - please do not hesitate to query any aspect of nursery care.