Questions To Ask Yourself Before Choosing Your Child’s Nursery

Today, parents have more options than ever when it comes to their child's early education.  

While this means that you are sure to find a nursery that fits your needs, it can also make the process of choosing one very confusing. This can be heartbreaking for parents who just want to make sure the nursery they choose is the right one for their child. After all, this is the start of their child’s education, and it must be done right.  

To assist you in your search (and help you make the right choice for your child), read on for the essential questions you need to ask yourself before choosing your child's nursery.

1. Is my child ready for a nursery?

Before you start looking at potential nurseries, you want to spend some time thinking about whether or not your child is actually ready to attend.  

If your child can go to the bathroom and put on their coat and shoes by themselves, then they are probably ready to go! While it isn't crucial, it does help if they are able to count and recite the alphabet. Additionally, if your child can spend time (comfortably) without you and enjoys being with other children, then they are probably ready to head to a nursery!

2. Does the nursery suit my family's needs?

Once you have determined that this is the right decision for your child, it is time to consider your family's needs. For example, you want to think about logistical factors such as proximity, transportation, and financial considerations.  

Take some time to think about whether or not you want your child to attend for full-days or half-days, a couple of days a week or every weekday. Furthermore, it is vital to think about what you want from the school in terms of curriculum, amenities (such as playgrounds, gymnasium, physical activity time), and special interest programs.  

Once you start considering nurseries, speak with other parents in the community to ask them about their experiences and the reputation of the surrounding nurseries. Similarly, use the Internet to conduct further research.  

Most locales have an active online nursery community (or local preschool mom blogs) where you can speak with other parents, ask for advice, and benefit from the resources. When doing your research, look out for any red flags (such as frequent complaints from parents, health or safety violations, or other noteworthy issues) that a nursery may have.

3. Does it offer the educational method that I like?

Usually, one of the most significant differences between nurseries is the educational philosophy under which they operate. There are various approaches that nursery schools use from the Montessori Method to the Kolisko Waldorf Method and the Bank Street Approach. However, the best nursery in Dubai uses another method — the Early Years Foundation Stage. 

One of the most popular approaches to learning is the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which concentrates on seven areas of learning and development. These areas are Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language Development, Physical Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding The World, and Arts and Design.  

Together, these areas provide a well-rounded education, which ensures that your child is prepared with the skills necessary for their future education.

4. Did I feel comfortable during my visit?

Once you have narrowed down your options to a couple of nurseries, you want to make sure that you schedule a time to go and visit them. During the visit, you will be able to see the nursery during open hours and experience the setting for yourself. It is vital that you feel comfortable and welcome during your visit. 

Moreover, when reflecting on your time spent in the nursery, ask yourself whether or not the children seemed happy and engaged. Take the time to notice how the staff and children interact.  

For all parents, the most crucial consideration is the safety of a nursery. So you certainly want to pay attention to the cleanliness of the environment, as well as the safety measures (and potential risks) the school is taking. While on your visit, make sure to ask about the safety procedures both during the day and while picking up and dropping off children. Also, ask about how the nursery deals with discipline and issues between children.  

You may want to go with a list of questions to ensure that you get all the answers you need to make a decision. Don't be shy about taking notes, this is the best way to remember your observations, and it will make comparing the options a lot easier later on.   

Did your child attend nursery? If so, what factors influenced your decision making? What questions do you wish you would have asked yourself before making a choice? Do you have any advice for parents who are starting the nursery process? 

Let us know your thoughts and any relevant experiences in the comments below!

AUTHOR BIO

Ayesha Hoda is a marketing and communications specialist working at Step By Step Nursery Group in the UAE. She holds an MBA degree from a leading business school in Pakistan and has more than 13 years of experience in corporate communications and journalism. She has worked in both agency and client-side roles, designing communication strategies for multinational clients, nonprofits and small businesses in various industries, such as education and healthcar