Choosing a nursery
What to look for in a nursery
How to compare nurseries before you visit, what to watch for when you're there, and the questions worth asking.
The short version
- Shortlist three or four places that fit your hours and budget.
- Read the inspection report, and check its date.
- Visit at a busy time and watch how adults talk to children.
Start with the practical fit
A lovely nursery that closes before you can reach it becomes a daily worry. Check these before you book a visit.
Read the latest inspection
Group nurseries in England are inspected by Ofsted. Read the report itself rather than just the headline, and check the date, as a report from years ago may describe a different team.
How to read an Ofsted reportWhat to watch on your visit
Ask about staffing
Every child must have a key person who builds a relationship with them and with you. These are England's minimum staffing levels for nurseries.
- 1 to 3
- adults to under-2s
- 1 to 5
- adults to 2-year-olds
- 1 to 8
- adults to children aged 3 and over
For children aged 3 and over it can be one adult to 13 when a qualified teacher works directly with them.
Ask them
- Who would my child's key person be?
- How long do staff tend to stay?
- Who covers when someone's away?
Food, health and additional needs
Ask them
- Can I see a typical menu?
- How do you manage allergies?
- What's your policy on illness and medication?
- Who is your special educational needs coordinator?
- Where do babies sleep?
- How often do children go outside?
Get the costs in writing
Keep reading
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.
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.
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.