Choosing a nursery
How to compare nurseries, what to ask on a visit and how to read Ofsted's report cards.
- How to choose a nursery
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.
4 min read
- Questions to ask on a nursery visit
The questions worth asking when you visit a nursery, grouped by topic, with what a good answer sounds like.
4 min read
- Ofsted report cards explained
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.
4 min read
- Nursery staff ratios explained
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.
3 min read
- Nursery vs childminder vs nanny
How nurseries, childminders and nannies compare on cost, flexibility, funded hours, ratios and regulation, to help you choose the right kind of childcare.
4 min read
- Settling in at nursery
How nursery settling-in sessions work, how long settling usually takes, and practical ways to help your child and yourself through the first weeks.
3 min read
- Nursery red flags to look out for
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.
3 min read