Choosing Our Pre-School

What to look for and questions to ask when choosing a Pre-School

We know that choosing a Pre-School is a big deal!  It’s not something you commit to after reading some blurb on a website that promises to give your child the best start in life alongside a picture of a beaming clean child.

It’s one of the biggest decisions you make as you find your way through early parenthood, so when you decide to leave your child in the hands of someone else, you really do your research.

Recommendations are hot property, whether it be from your mummy friends, Facebook recommendations or the Ofsted website. These are often your starting points…. and then it’s time to have a look around the Pre-school.

You’ll:

  • meet the team and see how the staff interact with the children
  • look at whether the children are happy and engaged
  • see if it’s clean and if the toys and outside areas look fun and inviting

To have a look around you can book a face-to-face show around to have a chat with the Manager, have a nose around the place and just get a feel for whether the pre-school looks like the right place for your little one.

You’ll be able to ask all the questions you have; and you should get a good feel of what to expect. To help, we’ve pulled together a few things you might want to ask any pre-school you visit so you can make a choice that’s right for you.

The pre-school practitioners:

  • How many children do they look after in the pre-school?
  • Who will be looking after my child during the day?
  • What ratios do they use i.e. how many children are being looked after by each pre-school practitioner?
  • What is each person in the pre-school responsible for and how can I get in touch with them if I need to?
  • What are the qualifications of the practitioners, including any First Aid trained team members

A day at pre-school:

  • What activities do the children do on a regular basis?
  • How does the pre-school help to support their learning?
  • What do I need to send with my child each day?
  • What should my child wear each day? Is there a uniform?
  • Where do the children play, what do they play with and how does this support my child’s development?
  • What are the age groups for each room?
  • How will I find out about what my child has been doing and how they are progressing?

Food and Drink:

  • Where is the food cooked and prepared?
  • Can the pre-school meet specific dietary requirements?
  • How does the pre-school make sure that the snacks are balanced and nutritious …. And can I see a menu?

Keeping you happy:

  • What will happen when my child first starts? Are there settling-in sessions?
  • Can I pick up my child at any time?
  • What are the main safeguarding policies that you have in place? (e.g. what happens if I need to pick them up?)
  • Do you offer any extra sessions if I need them? Are these available for everyone?
  • Are there any discounts, savings, or other monetary benefits that I can claim?
  • What support or extra activities are on offer for parents?

We believe that our pre-school is the perfect fit for you and your little one, but don’t just take our word for it. Arrange a visit with us today!

© Copyright Walton Preschool – Walton Community Centre, Standley Road, WALTON ON THE NAZE, Essex CO14 8PT
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