Choosing the right nursery in Leicester is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. Use this checklist of 10 essential questions to ask on every visit.
1Why These Questions Matter
Choosing a nursery is not just about location or price. It is about finding a place where your child will feel safe, supported, and stimulated. The best nurseries are always happy to answer questions openly and invite you to see every part of their setting. If a nursery feels reluctant to answer, that tells you something too.
21. What is Your Ofsted Rating?
Ofsted inspects all registered nurseries and rates them as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. Hine Park Day Nursery is Ofsted registered (No. 2649051). Always ask to see the most recent report and check when the last inspection was.
32. What Are Your Staff Ratios?
Legal ratios require 1 adult per 3 children aged under 2, 1 per 4 for 2 year olds, and 1 per 8 for 3 to 5 year olds. Better nurseries often exceed these ratios. Ask about the typical room staff numbers during peak hours.
43. How Do You Communicate with Parents?
Ask about the daily handover, whether they use an online learning journal (we use one at HPDN), how they handle concerns, and how often you will receive development updates. Good nurseries keep parents actively involved.
54. What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
Ask for a timetable or description of a typical day. Look for a balance of indoor and outdoor play, structured activities and free play, group and individual time, and meals and rest periods that suit your child's routine.
65. How Do You Handle Settling In?
A good nursery will offer a gradual settling-in period, ideally paid as part of registration. This allows your child to build trust with their key worker before you leave them for a full session.
76. What Meals and Snacks Do You Provide?
At Hine Park, our chef prepares fresh, nutritious meals on-site every day, including vegetarian and halal options. Ask about the menu, how dietary requirements are managed, and whether meals are included in the fee.
87. What Qualifications Do Your Staff Hold?
Ask what percentage of staff hold Level 3 or above Early Years qualifications, and whether any hold Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Early Years Professional Status (EYPS). Also ask about ongoing staff training and development.
98. How Do You Support Children with Additional Needs?
Ask whether the nursery has a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) and how they support children with additional needs or delayed development. A good nursery will have clear procedures in place.
109. What Are Your Safeguarding Procedures?
Every nursery must have a clear safeguarding policy. Ask who the designated safeguarding lead is, how they manage access to the building, and what training staff receive on child protection.
1110. What Makes You Different?
This is your chance to let the nursery show its personality. At HPDN, our answer centres on our warm team culture, our play-based curriculum, our fresh meals, our online learning journals, and our deep roots in the Leicester community. Listen to what matters to the people who work there. That tells you the most.
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