Choosing a Newborn Baby Nursery

Many mums want to return to work after their maternity leave. Some may want to stay home with their baby, but simply can’t afford the cut in the family income. Before you even start maternity leave it’s a good idea to do some research into the kind of child care you want , and can afford, for your precious baby. You can get a list of local playgroups and nurseries from the local council, possibly from your GPs surgery, the local library, or on the internet. Good childminders are often found through word of mouth – so ask your friends and colleagues for recommendations. Try to go along and spend a morning – or couple of mornings – checking out the possible options and consider the following when choosing a nursery: • Are you made to feel welcome and introduced to the staff and other mums? • We you able to choose the time of your visit? Or did you have to go when they were prepared? • Do you agree with the staff’s methods of dealing with anxious or mischievous children? • Are you happy with the way the play is structured for child and baby development? • If you are there with your child, is she made to feel welcome and encouraged – but not forced- to meet the other children? • Are the surroundings bright and cheerful? If it’s just a bare church hall has the staff made efforts to cheer it up? • Are there too many children in the nursery? • Is there an outdoors play area? • Are there plenty of different toys to play with? Are there art materials on offer? Or are the same tired old toys put out every day? • Are there plenty of activities on offer? Are these available all the time or just on special days? • Do the children look stimulated or bored? Stimulation is necessary for child and baby development. • Are toys and equipment in good condition? • Is there a quiet corner with books? • Does the staff appear to be listening and talking to the children? Do they seem to have control without shouting? Do the children seem to like the staff? Do helpers spend time with the children or just watch them while they chat to each other? • Are girls encouraged to play with “boys” toys and do physical play? Are boys able to be creative and quiet? Do boys and girls play together? • At story time is the story teller able to captivate the children or do they waste too much time telling them to pay attention? • Is there a regular singing session with action rhymes and the chance for children to join in with percussion instruments? If the group you have chosen ticks most of your requirement boxes, but there are just a couple of things you are not sure about, talk to the nursery leader and see if they can make the changes you want.