Bonjour lecteurs! We all get to the stage where we have to look for some childcare. Once you come back to work, it is a pretty big step for any mum! I remember looking for the right childcare provider back in the Summer 2016 and it was quite a challenge. True! I am a bit of a control freak, so I struggled to let it go. But Finding the Perfect Day Nursery With Bright Horizons is so easy! Let me talk you through step by step!
Starting The Process
Remember to start looking for a local day nursery ASAP! Some areas are really busy and the best establishments will be booked pretty quickly.
I even think that we should have a list of local places in our maternity pack when we go home from the hospital. It is always best to be prepared!
So once you know you need a nursery, look for the local ones. Check the opening times to see if they match your work hours. Prices too, as it can become quite expensive before you get the 15 or 30 hours free from the government.
Call all the nurseries in your area and book an appointment. You must see it in action!
And while you are there, here are a couple of things to have in mind.
When You Visit The Day Nursery
I know it might look like a big list. But I think that when it is about your child’s well-being, you can never be too cautious!
So here is a list of idées to look for during your visit:
- What is the sécurité in place like?
- Do the kids look well-stimulated or are they left on their own?
- Do they have sitting-down activities?
- What is the quality of the outdoor play area? Is it big enough for the children?
- What about the facilities and equipment? Is it safe? Of good quality and up-to-date?
- Look at the displays. It will give you a good idea of what activities the kids have done.
- Have a look at the food menu. Is it well-balanced? Do they have a chef cooking fresh food each day?
- What about the manager and the staff? Ask yourself this question: would you trust them to look after your child?
- Is it clean? Bien sûr, it will not be spotless. Imagine 18 or more toddlers in a room with toys, paint and more. But you know, a minimum standard. Do the staff ask you to put overshoes when you come in par exemple? That is un bon signe ?
ALL the Questions You Need To Ask
And oui, I would ask every single one! Because it is better to be safe than sorry!
- What is the staff to child ratio?
- What are the team’s qualifications? For how long have they been working there?
- How will you be informed of your child’s progress?
- Where can they nap?
- Are there any periods where the nursery is closed?
- What is the policy on taking children for extra days? How much is it?
- If any allergies, how do they manage them?
- Ask what you need to provide (change of clothes, nappies, snacks…)
- Are there any requirements to get in?
- You may also want to see the nursery’s registration certificate and the latest inspection report. It’s very likely to be on their website.
Lastly, run away if you see that the nursery seems to have loose rules, the facilities are dirty or unsafe. But also if the establishment has an expired license.
Finding the Perfect Day Nursery With Bright Horizons
Bright Horizons is the UK’s leading childcare provider.
With over 300 nurseries, many of which are located throughout London and the South-East of England, the childcare provider offers a great choice for parents.
Indeed, the fabulous childcare provider originally based in the US has over 30 years of experience.
The brand is trusted by many families as it provides naturally inspiring and exceptional care for our little ones.
Baba and I actually went to visit Bright Horizons Tabard Square Day Nursery and Preschool last week and I must say that I was extremely impressed!
And Baba aussi! He felt like right at home as soon as we came in and did not want to leave as he was having so much fun!
As soon as we arrived, the manager introduced me to the staff while Baba got to play. With over 90 kids on the roll, it is a big place. But there was a lot of space for everyone.
The passion from Madame G, the manager was amazing! You could see she had been working with young children for a very long time. Her staff were equally lovely and so on top of things!
Bright Horizons Tabard Square Day Nursery and Preschool
The nursery has a really strong system in place with good routines for kids. Equally, learning through play is working really well too. The premises have a large selection of toys and items for kids to discover and learn while having fun.
In the few hours we were there, I witnessed a large group of pre-schoolers doing some ballet, painting, playing but also some reading time and phonetics practice!
The room manager was amazing with the kids. And what I loved the most was the way the little ones were all so well encouraged to be independent.
When lunchtime arrived, the cohort of kiddies all picked up the adequate plate. Indeed, Bright Horizons has a colour system for dietary requirements and allergies! And let me tell you that each little one knew exactly which one to pick! Baba had some lunch too, freshly made in the kitchen and it was yummy!
It was clear that strong routines were in place for a smooth run of the day.
Ballet, languages, literacy, phonetics, play… The curriculum is packed up with so many good things there is something for everyone!
Bright Horizons Tabard Square Day Nursery and Preschool – Le Verdict
I have visited many nurseries for Baba both in London and Ashford and I must say Bright Horizons Tabard Square Day Nursery and Preschool was one of the best I have ever seen!
The system in place is very good with a lot of fun activities for kids to explore and grow!
You might have understood it by now with my very long list above, I am kind of picky when it is about my dear angel. Well, I wish we had a local Bright Horizons Nursery when I returned to work!
The nursery we checked out this week prepares pre-schoolers so well for the big step ahead of them!
And it is also pretty clear that the staff are also well looked after by the company! Happy workers make happy places!
Finding the Perfect Day Nursery With Bright Horizons is easy peasy! A no brainer if you ask me! I would definitely place Baba there if we had a local one! There is such a strong community feeling too!
Remember that name when you look for a nursery! No wonder why so many Bright Horizons Nurseries get rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted!
I give it my Frenchie thumb up too! And when I say that I am impressed, I mean it! Trust the old teacher in me!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Bright Horizons Nursery, but all opinions remain my own.
Great informative information. A good read. Thankyou
A fascinating blog and it does look like a lovely nursery. I think you soon get a feel of a place.
It looks great in the pictures, love your list of questions!
Great information thank you!! The most important to me is the teacher to child ratio as I find one on one time at a young age so so important
Comprehensive list to find the best – looks like the perfect place for baba to learn flourish and grow
Great information for those with younger children.
Great advice and interesting read so many useful ideas for the future thanks you
Choosing the right nursery is so important as you want your child to feel both stimulated and comfortable there
Great tips! Wish I had read this before choosing my son’s nursery.
Very good advice
Looks like a good nursery I like that the staff are good . Baba certainly looks happy
Being an ex childminder, nursery worker and mum of 3 I know how important first impressions are, and that gut feeling you have when you first walk in somewhere and meet someone should never be ignored!
Looks good fun and lots of great advice regarding the questions!
Loving this – I am a great believer on first impressions and going with your gut.
Lots of good advice, very informative, thank you.
Looks a wonderful nursery, im really happy with my daughters preschool
Thank you for good advice. It does look like good nursery. Your son looks relaxed and happy. This are important factors. x
Fantastic post, really stressful when you have to go back to work and leave your child for the first time so having help like this is invaluable especially with a first child x
Great tips and information here for parents
always go with your gut instinct too, if it does not feel right, trust your instincts
Very informative some very useful advice on finding the right nursery.
You never get told these things, especially when it’s all new to you so thank you
Great fun at the nursery!
great article. baba looks like he is having fun! x
My son is 12 now and looking back, his nursery was awful. He used to come out of there wet every day, they were all very young and didn’t seem to be able to manage the children, thankfully he wasnt there long. My daughter is 5 and she went to a wonderful nursery and they were amazing as I did do my research that time.
Never underestimate the importance of a good Nursery! My granddaughter is in such a lovely one – she enjoys each day.
Great advice thank you. I’d love my daughter’s nursery to have a fishtank!!
james.waterworth@ntlworld.com
Great tips for my daughter as my granddaughter is in nursery
Great post.
I don’t think people realise how quickly/early childcare books up
lots of good advice thanks
Lots of good advice, my youngest sister started her own child minding business after years of being in an office job she didn’t care for, her little business is a huge success and the children she cares for love being there she is so good at planning activities and learning with them.
This really does look like a wow preschool. Wonderful
Very informative it all looks fantastic thankyou for sharing with us
Some good tips there
When I lived in Canada I was very lucky to have had access to a wonderful daycare that provided care for both of my children. We are First Nations and it provided play and teaching along with cultural activities. It’s wonderful that there are nursery’s here that seem very involved in the wellbeing of children here in the U.K.
this is great help to mums looking for day care, its so confusing to judge where is best for your child
What a good idea to provide details of nurseries with mums’ hospital going home pack. You’ve listed all the right questions and observations.
Your Baba not wanting to go home is a very good sign of contentment!
It is so important to find the right childcare for your little one. It looks like you found a lovely nursery
Great guide, nothing is more important then little ones wellbeing
Great tips, I am starting a new job soon with longer hours so having to look into childcare, its scary where to start!
What fab tips! Thank you
Great tips
This looks like such a lovely amazing nursery – just where your want your child to go
Great advice, I’ve sent this to my sister in law for her little one
Great list of questions!!! I will remember this when my youngest starts at the end of the year.
The list of questions will be very useful to parents looking to choose a suitable nursery for their child.
This nursery really does look outstanding, your little one looks super happy
Beautiful nursery, something for every child’s imagination
Looks like a great environment for the children
Great information and looks a fab nursery xx
Great advice & loads of useful information.
I love the fish tank especially as that would help the children to relax just watching the fish
Thanks for the pointers! I thought clean, local and a good first impression was a good enough Starting point. Such a useful article
Great list to refer to, you covered everything. That nursery at the end seemed so good.
You definitely should do your homework before choosing a nursery!
Lots of good advice thank you
Choosing the right nursery is certainly a big decision.
This is an interesting read, some extremely helpful advice here.
Thankyou x
Choosing a nursery leaves so many un-answered queries for parents, this article covers a lot of interesting sectors.
Thank you for this great information. I’ll print off the checklist suggestions for my daughter.
Great advice and fabulous nursery. I love the fish tank
What wonderful and useful tips!
Great advice!
You definitely have to feel super comfortable with your nursery choice and this looks like a great nursery
Some very thoughtful advice.
It sounds like a lovely nursery Baba certainly looks very happy there.
Looks a fantastic nursery thankyou for sharing with us
Looks fab great ideas
It’s great to find a nursery that you feel comfortable with. My daughter’s nursery was amazing and I just wish I knew that when my son was as young 7 years ago as his was awful looking back!
This nursery looks wonderful, it’s so important to choose one you feel comfortable with
Thanks for all these useful points. A happy child is the best thing in the world.
Very informative post! I have a question though, just out of interest – how did you mannage to take pictures in the nursery (because I know that Bright Horizons has very strict policy about using phones, electronics etc.)? Were other children present in the room?
Author
Thanks for your feedback and your question. Indeed, Bright Horizons has a very strict policy regarding phones and electrics. I had to leave mine at the reception while we visited. I was allowed only to take pictures with my son on his own in the room. We took all those before other children came in. So there were no other children present at the time. And once the day started properly, I was not allowed to use anything, Again, they are very strict with it, so I think another plus we should highlight about the nursery. I hope I answered any doubts.