Nursery guides for parents

A practical, step-by-step way to choose a nursery in England: what matters most, how to shortlist, what to check and how to decide.

The questions worth asking when you visit a nursery, grouped by topic, with what a good answer sounds like.

How Ofsted's new nursery report cards work since November 2025, what each grade means, and how they differ from the old Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate grades.

The legal minimum staff-to-child ratios for nurseries in England by age, what they mean in practice, and what to ask on a visit.

How nurseries, childminders and nannies compare on cost, flexibility, funded hours, ratios and regulation, to help you choose the right kind of childcare.

How nursery settling-in sessions work, how long settling usually takes, and practical ways to help your child and yourself through the first weeks.

Warning signs to look out for when choosing a nursery, from the visit itself to the contract and the Ofsted report, and what to do if you spot one.

How Free Childcare for Working Parents works in England in 2026–27: who qualifies, the income rules, when the hours start and how to apply.

Which 2-year-olds can get 15 funded hours a week in England through Early Learning for 2 year olds, how it differs from the working-parent hours, and how to apply.

How Tax-Free Childcare works for nursery fees in 2026–27, how much the government adds, who qualifies and how it fits with funded hours and Universal Credit.

How Universal Credit helps with nursery costs in England: up to 85% back, the monthly limits, who can claim, and how it compares with Tax-Free Childcare.

What nurseries in England can and cannot charge on funded hours, the common extras, how to compare them and what to do if a charge seems unfair.

What nursery registration fees and deposits are, what is normal, when you get your money back and what to check in the contract before paying.

What the 15 and 30 funded hours cover in practice, why your nursery bill may not be zero, and how to work out what you will actually pay.

What a Montessori nursery is like, how the approach works day to day, how it fits with the EYFS and Ofsted, and what to ask when you visit.

What forest school means at nursery, how outdoor nurseries work, what children do, how safety is handled and what to ask on a visit.

What a Reggio Emilia inspired nursery is, how projects and documentation work, how it fits with the EYFS and what to ask on a visit.

What a Steiner Waldorf kindergarten is like, the daily rhythm and play-based approach, how it relates to the EYFS, and what to ask on a visit.

How bilingual nurseries work, which models they use, what research-backed expectations are reasonable, and what to ask when you visit.

How term-time only nurseries and pre-schools work, how they fit with funded hours, what they cost and how to cover the school holidays.

How a nursery class at a primary school compares with a private day nursery on hours, cost, staff, funded hours and the move to reception.

How workplace nurseries and employer-supported childcare work, how salary sacrifice can reduce costs, and what to check before signing up.

What to expect when your baby starts nursery around 9 months, from funded hours and baby rooms to settling in, sleep, feeding and illness.

What nursery is like for 1-year-olds, how toddlers spend the day, settling in at this age, funding and what to look for on a visit.

Nursery at age 2: funded hours for 2-year-olds, the progress check, toddler rooms, ratios, behaviour, toilet training and what to ask on a visit.

What the year before reception looks like at nursery or pre-school, the universal 15 hours, getting ready for school and applying for a reception place.

When children start reception in England, how to apply for a school place, what happens to funded hours, and how to help your child move from nursery to school.