How to Choose a Nursery: What to Look for When Making the Right Choice for Your Child
Choosing a nursery is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your child’s early years. It’s about so much more than finding a convenient location - it’s about finding a setting where your little one will feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. So, how do you choose a nursery that feels right?
At My Ohana, we believe that great childcare starts with great people - and we’re proud of the attention to detail our team puts into every single day. But we also know that every child and every family is unique, and finding the right nursery is a deeply personal journey.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose a nursery, so you can feel confident in your decision…
How to Choose a Nursery: Contents
When Should I Start Looking at Childcare?
Deciding when to start your childcare search can feel just as overwhelming as choosing a nursery - but starting early always works in your favour. Many nurseries, especially in busy towns and cities, fill up several months in advance.
As a general guide:
Begin researching childcare options as early as pregnancy, especially if you need a specific pattern of days or are looking at popular nurseries.
Start visiting nurseries when your baby is around 2–4 months old, or earlier if you already know when you’ll be returning to work.
Join waiting lists sooner rather than later - availability can change quickly, and registering your interest early gives you more flexibility.
If you’re relocating or need childcare at short notice, contact nurseries directly. Some may have last-minute spaces or upcoming availability you can reserve.
Every family’s timeline is different, but giving yourself plenty of time means you can visit nurseries calmly, compare settings, and make the decision that feels right for your child - without the pressure of tight deadlines.
How to Choose a Nursery - A Step by Step Guide
1. Build a Foundation of Trust and Communication
A great nursery builds strong relationships with both children and parents. From friendly daily catch-ups at drop-off and pick-up to regular updates through tools like the ParentZone app, communication is key.
At My Ohana, we take the time to understand each child as an individual — tailoring their experience to support their emotional wellbeing, development and curiosity. Our commitment to personalised care is just one of the things that sets us apart.
To understand more about how nurseries help children thrive, take a look at our blog on Why Early Years Education is Important for Your Child’s Development.
2. Consider Ofsted Reports and Quality Standards
When choosing a nursery, parents often balance gut instinct with practical information - and Ofsted reports offer valuable insight into a nursery’s standards, leadership, and approach to care.
What is Ofsted?
Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, the organisation responsible for inspecting and regulating childcare providers, schools, and education services in England. Their ratings help families understand the quality and standards of a nursery or school before making a decision.
All My Ohana nurseries are regularly inspected, and you can view each nursery’s most recent Ofsted report on their individual pages. We encourage parents to use this as part of the decision-making process, alongside a visit to get a true feel for the setting.
3. Look for Shared Values and a Positive Environment
A nursery should feel like a home away from home — a place where your child feels safe, valued, and inspired to explore. At My Ohana, our values centre around individuality, creativity and connection.
Children thrive in consistent, nurturing environments. That’s why it’s so important to find a nursery whose values align with your own. Whether it’s a focus on outdoor play, emotional wellbeing, or tailored learning approaches, the right nursery will reflect the kind of experience you want for your child.
You can read more about how nurseries shape children’s experiences and growth in our article on Holistic Child Development: Beyond the Borders of Daycare Nursery.
4. Prioritise Safety and Security
When thinking about what to look for in a nursery, safety should always be a top priority. This goes beyond secure entrances — it includes clear safeguarding policies, staff ratios, emergency procedures, and medical care protocols.
Transparency is key. Nurseries should be open about how they keep children safe and how they prepare for unexpected situations. If you’d like to learn more about this topic, our guide on Nursery Safety and Security breaks down what parents should expect and ask about.
5. Understand Costs and What’s Included
While budget shouldn’t be the only factor in choosing a nursery, it is an important one. Regular attendance helps build routines and support consistency for your child, so it’s essential to find a nursery that fits within your financial planning.
At My Ohana, we’re always happy to talk through fees and availability. Each nursery operates under a different structure, and our team can help you explore what’s right for you and your child.
6. Visit and Trust Your Instincts
Finally, nothing compares to visiting a nursery in person. Spend time observing the environment, watching how staff interact with children, and asking questions. Every child is different, and finding the right fit is about recognising where your little one will feel happy, confident, and excited to learn.
To see what a day in the life of nursery looks like, read our blog on Nursery Daily Routines: Balancing Learning, Play and Wellbeing.
Key Questions to Ask During a Nursery Visit
A nursery visit is the best way to get a true feel for the environment, staff and daily routines. To help you make the most of your time, here are some helpful questions to ask when you’re touring a nursery:
About the Environment & Daily Routine
What does a typical day look like for the children?
How much time do children spend outdoors?
How do you support learning through play?
How do you help children settle in, especially if they’re shy or anxious?
About Staff & Care
What are your staff qualifications and experience?
What is your staff-to-child ratio?
How do you support children’s emotional wellbeing?
How do you handle behaviour, conflict and big emotions?
About Safety & Policies
What are your safeguarding and health & safety procedures?
How do you manage allergies or medical needs?
What security measures do you have in place for drop-off and pick-up?
How do you communicate with parents during the day?
About Practicalities
What’s included in your fees (meals, nappies, snacks, outings)?
How flexible are your session times?
Do you offer government-funded childcare hours?
How do you support transitions between rooms or into school?
About Values & Culture
What makes your nursery unique?
How do you support each child’s individual interests and development?
How do you celebrate diversity and inclusivity?
How do you build positive relationships with families?
These questions can help you gauge whether a nursery’s approach, values and atmosphere align with what you want for your child — and give you more confidence in making your final decision.
Want to Learn More?
They say when you know, you know - and we couldn’t agree more. If you’re thinking about how to choose a nursery and My Ohana feels like the right fit, we’d love to welcome you for a visit.
Ready to explore? Contact us today to book a tour of your nearest My Ohana nursery.
