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What to Look for in a Nursery

Choosing a nursery is one of the first big decisions you’ll make as a parent for your child; one that can shape their happiness, confidence and early development. If you’re completely new to the process, it can feel a bit overwhelming. But don’t worry – with the right information and the right questions, you can find a setting that feels just right for your family.

Below is a straightforward guide to what matters most when choosing a nursery, plus insight into how Kindred Nurseries supports children and families every step of the way.

1. Start Early and Explore Your Options

It’s a good idea to begin your nursery search as soon as you know you’ll need childcare, that means even while you’re pregnant or soon after your baby is born. Nurseries, especially popular ones, may sometimes have waiting lists and limited spaces on the days and hours parents want. Putting your child’s name down early can help secure the right start date and session pattern.

Top Tip: Make a shortlist of two or three nurseries to visit around the same time so you can compare what feels right for your family.

2. Visit in Person (and Ask Lots of Questions!)

A visit is one of the best ways to see what nursery life is really like. Try to schedule your visit during normal session times so you can observe children and staff in action.

Here are some useful questions to ask:

Do you have an open-door policy for parents?
How will you support my child to settle in?
What happens at mealtimes and how do you manage allergies?
How do you communicate with parents throughout the day?
What security measures are in place?
Can you walk me through your daily routines and activities?

Good managers are happy to answer even the smallest questions. You’re making a huge decision after all, and they want to support you.

The Kindred Advantage: At Kindred Nurseries, your visit starts a relationship. From your very first enquiry to your tour and settling-in sessions, we’re here to answer questions, put your mind at ease and help you feel confident about your choice.

3. Look for a Safe, Nurturing Environment

When you step inside a nursery, use your senses and instincts:

Is the space clean, safe and welcoming?
Do staff interact warmly with the children?
Are children engaged in activities and comfortable with their key adults?
Do both indoor and outdoor areas feel stimulating and secure?

These observations tell you a lot about the daily atmosphere, and your gut instinct matters. If something feels off, it’s okay to explore other options.

The Kindred Advantage: At Kindred, we focus on creating environments where children feel safe, happy and curious, with age-appropriate classrooms, outdoor play and learning through play at every stage.

4. Check Qualifications, Standards and Reputation

In England, all nurseries must be registered and inspected by Ofsted – the Office for Standards in Education. Ofsted reports give insight into a nursery’s leadership, learning quality, safety and development outcomes. Don’t be afraid to ask to see the nursery’s latest report.

You can also ask other parents for recommendations, read online reviews, or chat with families you see during your visit.

The Kindred Advantage: Many parents choose Kindred because of our strong reputation for care, engagement and quality early years practice, rooted in a deep understanding of children’s development.

5. Think About Practical Things Too

Beyond the vibe and standards, practical matters matter for everyday life:

Nursery location that's close to home, work or school routes
Session times that fit your schedule
Flexibility (e.g. half days and ad-hoc sessions)
What is included in fees (meals, nappies, formula)
Communication tools (apps, key person updates)

The Kindred Advantage: Kindred Nurseries places emphasis on transparent communication and flexibility, helping busy families balance life, work and childcare.

6. Consider the Benefits a Nursery Provides

Nursery isn’t just childcare, it’s the beginning of your child’s learning journey:

Social skills - making friends and building confidence
Personal growth - learning routines away from home
Early education - activities tailored to development and interests
Supportive key persons - dedicated adults who develop a bond with your child

Research shows children who attend high-quality preschool settings often develop early learning skills and confidence that benefit them later in life.

The Kindred Advantage: Kindred’s approach supports children’s emotional, social and academic development from the moment they walk through our doors.

7. Trust Your Instincts

Finally, you know your child better than anyone. While Ofsted ratings, policies and facilities are important, your own comfort and confidence in a nursery’s people and approach matter too.

If you feel reassured, welcomed and excited about how your child will be cared for, that’s a great sign!

Why Kindred Might Be the Right Choice for Your Family

Choosing a nursery is personal, and different families value different things. If you’re exploring options, here’s what many parents appreciate about Kindred Nurseries:

Warm, responsive teams who prioritise each child’s unique personality and development
High standards of care, safety and learning in every room
Regular communication through award-winning parent app The Kindred Satchel and key person updates
A range of locations across the UK. Find your closest via our postcode search
Supportive settling-in and open-door culture for families

We’d love to welcome you to the Kindred family. Book a visit or come along to our Open Day on Saturday 7th February to see what daily life looks like here, meet our teams, and get the answers you need to feel confident in your choice.