My daughter came home speaking French the other day and I found myself for the thousandth time thanking my past self for making an exceptional childcare choice. Whoever said it takes a village to raise a child was not kidding and I learned this very early on. In an ideal world, you’ll have a loving partner, doting grandparents, close friends with children, great neighbours should you need to borrow some essentials and of course, the holy grail if you ever plan on going back to work, a local nursery. Your child’s first day at nursery is an emotional rollercoaster for you both, I remember my daughter’s first day vividly but I also remember my child’s keyworker handing me a bag filled with self-care treats with a handwritten poem that let me know my child was in excellent hands. Back then I was just grateful that my child was safe while I struggled to revive my copywriting business after 6 months off but watching her learn and develop in such a caring environment has been a total joy. Childcare can look very different from one parent to the next, but at some stage, you will consider choosing a nursery and I’m here to share my top tips on this.
Create a Shortlist
So, the first step is to look at your local area and draw up a shortlist of potential nurseries that could be an option for you. We found three close to us but only 2 had space for my daughter. Before you look too much into the facilities and costs and waste time on initial research, enquire which nurseries have a place available for your child and eliminate the ones that don’t.
Your Childcare Needs
Take a moment to note down your specific childcare needs and requirements. This could be anything from how much you have to spend on childcare to how many hours per week you require. It could be some unique dietary requirements or allergies to consider. Perhaps you are looking for particular teaching methods. The Montessori nursery in Nottingham, for example, specialises in childcare that is inspired by the Montessori teaching methods and so if you have an interest in a holistic approach to teaching, you could also note this down here.
Plan a Visit
Armed with your shortlist, book a visit to look around each nursery so you can meet the staff and view the facilities. This allows you to get a feel for the place, the staff and the facilities and gives the perfect opportunity to ask any questions that come to mind. As a parent, you have to have confidence in your nursery staff and setting and also that there are the right facilities for your little one to learn and develop. As you look around ask yourself if the cleanliness levels meet your standards and if the staff are warm and friendly and if the setting is secure. Take a friend or family member with you if possible so you can get a second opinion. If you can, take your child with you so you can see how they respond to the surroundings. Notice how you feel upon arrival. Are you instantly at ease? Are the staff professional?
Ask Questions
Plan a list of questions to ask well in advance of your visit, this way you can focus on enjoying the tour of the facilities without the nagging feeling that you have forgotten to mention something important. Some questions could be:
Will my child have a set routine?
Is there an opportunity each day for outdoor play?
What is the ratio of staff to children?
Is the food wholesome and is the menu varied?
What toys and activities are on offer?
What qualifications and experience do the staff have?
Settling in Sessions
When you leave your child at nursery for the first time, you will spend that day feeling like you are missing an arm and while it is lovely to be able to crack on with those jobs that you can’t do with a little person, it can be a daunting experience for you and your little one. The good news is you don’t have to dive right in with a full or even a half day. A good nursery will have settling-in sessions where you and your child can get accustomed to time apart.
Prepare your child
There are lots of ways you can prepare for your little one’s first day. Talk positively about how much fun nursery will be and you could even read a few books about going to the nursery to get your child excited about the transition.
Prepare yourself
If you aren’t working, plan an activity to take your mind off any emotions that may arise. Book in a manicure or have coffee with a friend. It’s also ok to do absolutely nothing. Motherhood is a whirlwind so do whatever it is that makes you happy. Go to the toilet without someone staring at you, eat a mars ice cream that you don’t have to share or watch something on tv that doesn’t feature a family of pigs. You’ve also stayed awake 93% of your baby’s life so far so sleep is also an option.
