Nursery Visit Checklist: What to Look for & Ask

Choosing the right nursery for your child is one of the most significant decisions parents make. The early years of education set the foundation for lifelong learning, so ensuring that your chosen nursery provides a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment is crucial.

Our comprehensive nursery visit checklist will guide you through what to look for when touring a nursery and preschool, the key questions to ask, and how to differentiate between nursery vs preschool settings. This guide will help you feel confident in your decision and ensure the best start for your child.

What is a Nursery?

Before diving into what to look for during a visit, it is essential to understand what is a nursery and how it differs from other early years settings.

A nursery provides early childhood education and care for children from birth to 4 years old. It focuses on play-based learning and socialisation in a structured yet flexible setting, offering full-day or part-time care to support working parents.

Key Areas to Assess on a Nursery Visit

When visiting a nursery, pay close attention to the following factors to ensure the environment meets your child’s needs.

1. First Impressions

• Is the nursery clean, bright, and welcoming?
• Do the staff greet you warmly?
• Are the children engaged and happy?

2. Safety & Security

• Are entrances and exits secured with controlled access?
• What emergency procedures are in place?
• Are staff trained in first aid and safeguarding policies?

3. Staff Qualifications & Interaction

• What are the staff-to-child ratios?
• Do staff members engage with children in a warm and supportive way?
• Are teachers and caregivers qualified in early years education?

4. Curriculum & Learning Approach

When considering how to choose a nursery, it’s important to understand its curriculum and how it fosters early development.

• Does the nursery follow the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) framework?
• Is learning through play encouraged?
• How does the setting support language, physical, and cognitive development?

5. Outdoor & Play Facilities

• Does the nursery provide outdoor play opportunities?
• Are toys and learning materials age-appropriate?
• How is playtime structured between free and guided activities?

6. Communication with Parents

• How does the nursery update parents on a child’s progress?
• Are there regular parent meetings or daily reports?
• Is there an open-door policy for parental concerns?

Questions to Ask on a Nursery Visit

Meeting the Nursery Staff and Key Worker

When visiting a nursery, take the time to meet the staff and your child’s key worker. They’ll be the ones looking after your little one, so it’s important to get to know them.

Ask about their qualifications and experience. How long have they been working in childcare? What do they love most about their job?

Find out about staff turnover. A stable team means consistency for your child, which helps them feel safe and settled.

Check if the nursery invests in staff training. Do they regularly update their skills and knowledge? This shows a commitment to quality care.

Ask how the key worker will help your child adjust to nursery life. Will they provide regular updates? How do they handle communication with parents?

A good relationship with the nursery team will give you peace of mind, knowing your child is in caring and capable hands.

Understanding Nursery Policies and Procedures

Before choosing a nursery, it’s important to understand their policies and how they handle different situations. This helps ensure your child’s safety, well-being, and comfort.

Start by asking about their health and safety policies. How do they handle first aid? What are their emergency procedures? A well-prepared nursery will have clear protocols in place.

Find out their approach to outdoor play. Do they have a safe outdoor space? How often do children get fresh air and play outside? Outdoor time is great for development and wellbeing.

If your child is a fussy eater or has dietary needs, ask how they manage mealtimes. Do they offer alternatives? How do they encourage healthy eating?

Lastly, check their comforter policy. Can your child bring a favorite toy or blanket for reassurance? Small comforts can make a big difference in helping them settle in.

Daily Routines and Activities

A well-structured daily routine helps children feel secure and engaged in their learning environment. When visiting a nursery, ask about their typical daily schedule.

Find out how they manage mealtimes, playtime, and naps. Do they follow a set routine, or is it more flexible based on each child’s needs?

Explore the activities and play options available. Do they offer creative play, sensory activities, or forest school experiences? Outdoor play is essential for children’s physical and mental well-being.

Ask how the nursery supports learning and development. Do they have a structured approach to planning activities? How do they track each child’s progress?

Finally, discuss their approach to discipline and behavior management. Do they use positive reinforcement? A nurturing environment that promotes kindness and respect is key.

Understanding these aspects will help you choose the best option for your child. The right nursery visit checklist ensures you cover all the essentials!

Care and Wellbeing

Your child’s happiness and well-being should be a top priority when choosing a nursery. Take the time to understand how they nurture emotional and social development.

Ask how they support children’s feelings and friendships. Do they encourage kindness and teamwork? How do they handle separation anxiety?

Find out about their health and illness policies. What happens if a child gets sick? How do they manage infection control to keep everyone safe?

If your child has special needs or disabilities, ask about the support available. Do they have trained staff or tailored learning plans? Every child deserves a setting that meets their needs.

Discuss how they promote healthy eating and physical activity. Do they offer balanced meals? How much time do children spend moving and playing?

A nursery that prioritizes care and well-being will help your child feel safe, happy, and ready to learn.

Safety and Security

Your child’s safety is the most important factor when choosing a nursery. Ask how they manage entry and exit procedures—who is allowed in, and how do they track pick-ups?

Find out about their safeguarding and child protection policies. Are staff trained to recognize and handle concerns? A strong policy ensures every child is protected.

Ask how they keep children safe during outdoor play and trips. Do they have secure play areas, proper supervision, and risk assessments in place?

Discuss their policy on unauthorized entry. How do they prevent strangers from accessing the nursery? Security measures like locked gates and CCTV can provide peace of mind.

A nursery with clear safety procedures creates a secure environment where your child can learn and grow with confidence.

Communication and Feedback

Good communication between parents and the nursery is key to a positive experience for both you and your child. Ask how they share updates on daily activities and events—do they use an app, emails, or face-to-face chats?

Find out about their feedback policy. Do they welcome parent input and involve families in decision-making? A nursery that values parental engagement fosters a strong community.

Discuss how they support your child’s transition. Do they offer settling-in sessions? How do they help children (and parents!) adjust to the new routine?

Ask about their approach to tracking progress and development. Will you receive regular reports, meetings with key workers, or informal check-ins?

A nursery with open and clear communication helps you stay involved in your child’s early learning journey.

Starting Nursery Checklist

Preparing for your child’s first day at nursery? Here’s a handy checklist to make sure you’ve got everything covered!

✅ Clothing – Pack extra sets of comfy clothes, including socks and a weather-appropriate jacket. Messy play is part of the fun!
✅ Nappies & Wipes – If your child is in nappies, bring enough for the day, along with wipes and creams. Check if the nursery provides these.
✅ Comfort Items – If allowed, pack a favorite blanket or soft toy to help with settling in.
✅ Lunch & Snacks – Find out if meals are provided or if you need to send packed food. Check for any dietary policies.
✅ Nursery Fees & Support – Ask about costs, payment plans, and any financial help available.
✅ Transition & Communication – Discuss settling-in sessions and how the nursery keeps you updated.

At Hatching Dragons, we want to ensure we’re the perfect fit for your child. Let’s make this transition smooth and exciting together! 

Settling-In and Transition

Starting nursery is a big step, and a smooth transition makes all the difference. Ask about the nursery’s settling-in sessions—do they offer free trial days to help your child adjust?

Find out how they support children who feel anxious or upset. Do they have a gradual transition plan? A nurturing approach can ease separation worries.

Discuss how they’ll support your child in the first few weeks. Will they have a consistent key worker? How do they help little ones build confidence and feel at home?

Ask about their communication policy during this period. Will you get daily updates? Knowing how your child is settling in gives peace of mind.

At Hatching Dragons, we make sure every child (and parent!) feels comfortable, secure, and ready to thrive in our nurturing environment.

Conclusion

Visiting a nursery is an essential step in choosing the right early years setting for your child. Using this nursery visit checklist, you can ensure that you assess all key areas, from safety and staff qualifications to curriculum and parent communication.

Whether you’re considering a nursery vs preschool, the ultimate goal is to find an environment where your child feels happy, safe, and supported in their learning journey.