Help for the big nursery decisions.
Short, practical guides to choosing a nursery, reading Ofsted reports, funded hours and those first few days.
Choosing a nursery, 6 min readWhat to look for in a nurseryHow to compare nurseries before you visit, what to watch for when you're there, and the questions worth asking.
Choosing a nursery, 5 min readHow to read a nursery's Ofsted reportWhat Ofsted's grades mean, how report cards changed in November 2025 and what to look for in a nursery's report.
Fees & funding, 5 min readFunded childcare and the 30 hours, explainedWho can get 15 or 30 funded hours in England, how to apply, the deadlines and what nurseries can still charge.
Choosing a nursery, 3 min readNursery schools and day nurseries: what's the difference?How day nurseries, nursery schools, school nursery classes and pre-schools differ on hours, ages and staffing.
Starting nursery, 3 min readWhen should your child start nursery?There's no single right age. How to think about timing, work, funding and your child's readiness.
Fees & funding, 4 min readHow to save money on childcareFunded hours, Tax-Free Childcare, Universal Credit and the questions that can bring your nursery bill down.
Choosing a nursery, 3 min readQuestions to ask on a nursery visitA down-to-earth checklist for a first nursery visit. Tick things off as you go.
Starting nursery, 3 min readSettling your child into nurserySmall steps that help your child feel at home, and make drop-offs happier for you both.
Choosing a nursery, 3 min readMontessori and Steiner nurseries comparedHow the two approaches differ day to day, and what to ask any nursery that uses them.