what to ask at nursery visit - nursery tour questions

You've booked a nursery tour. You're excited, maybe a little nervous, and you want to make the right choice for your child. But when you're standing in the entrance hall, trying to take everything in, it's surprisingly easy to forget the things you actually wanted to ask.

This guide covers the questions worth asking at any nursery visit from how they handle a scraped knee to what happens if you need to give a nursery notice period withdrawal. Think of it as your checklist for getting past the surface-level answers and finding out what a nursery is really like day to day.

Start With the Curriculum and Learning Approach

Before anything else, ask about the nursery's approach to learning. In England, all registered early years settings follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, set out by the Department for Education. But how each nursery brings that to life varies a lot.

Questions to ask:

• What does a typical learning session look like?
• How do you balance structured activities with free play?
• How do you support children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)?
• How do you track each child's development and share progress with parents?

At Little Mowgli Nursery in Leyland, for example, the curriculum is built around play-based learning, nature-inspired activities, and encouraging children to explore at their own pace. Nurseries with a clear philosophy behind their approach, not just a policy document tend to be more consistent in practice.

You're looking for staff who can explain their approach in plain language, not just recite a framework. If they can tell you why they do things a certain way, that's a good sign.

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The Daily Schedule: What Does Your Child's Day Actually Look Like?

Parents often focus so much on the big picture that they forget to ask about the ordinary moments. The daily routine matters enormously especially for young children who depend on predictability to feel secure.

Questions to ask:

• What time does the day start and end, and are there flexible session times?
• When are mealtimes, nap times, and outdoor play?
• How much time do children spend outside each day?
• What happens on a rainy day?
• How do you handle transitions, like moving between activities or rooms?

Outdoor play is worth a specific question. Research from the NHS and organisations like Natural England consistently shows that time outdoors supports children's physical health, emotional wellbeing, and concentration. Ask whether outdoor play happens regardless of weather, or only when it's dry.

Also ask how the day shifts as children get older. A routine that works for a one-year-old looks very different from one that's getting a preschooler ready for Reception.

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Safeguarding: The Questions You Must Ask

This is non-negotiable. Every nursery in England is legally required to have robust safeguarding policies in place, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education and the EYFS statutory guidance. But having a policy and actively living it are two different things.

Questions to ask:

• Who is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and what training have they completed?
• How do staff handle a disclosure from a child?
• What is your behaviour management policy?
• How do you manage visitors and access to the building?
• When was your last Ofsted inspection, and what was the outcome?

You can check any registered nursery's Ofsted report on the Ofsted website (gov.uk/ofsted). If a nursery is reluctant to discuss safeguarding & wellbeing openly, or can't tell you who the DSL is, take note.

Also ask about staff-to-child ratios. Under the EYFS, the legal minimums are 1:3 for children under two, 1:4 for two-year-olds, and 1:13 for children aged three and over with a qualified teacher. Ask what ratios they actually maintain, not just the legal minimum.

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Staff: Qualifications, Turnover, and Key Persons

The adults in the room matter more than the decor. High staff turnover is one of the biggest disruptors to a young child's sense of security.

Questions to ask:

• What qualifications do your staff hold?
• How long have most of your staff been here?
• How does the key person system work?
• What happens to my child's key person if they leave?
• How do staff communicate with parents day to day?

A key person is the named member of staff responsible for your child's welfare, learning, and the relationship with your family. It's a requirement under the EYFS, not a nice extra. Ask how the nursery manages the transition if a key person moves on.

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Fees, Funding, and the Nursery Notice Period for Withdrawal

Before you commit, get the financial details in writing. This includes what's covered in the fees, what's charged as an extra, and critically what the nursery's notice period policy is.

Questions to ask:

• What are your fees, and what do they include?
• Do you accept government-funded hours (15 or 30 hours for eligible families)?
• Is there a registration or deposit fee?
• What is your notice period for withdrawing a place?
• Are there any conditions where the deposit is non-refundable?

The nursery notice period withdrawal question is one parents often skip during the visit and only think about when circumstances change a job relocation, a change in family finances, or a child who simply isn't settling. Most nurseries require four to eight weeks' written notice, though terms vary. Get this confirmed in the contract before you sign.

Also check how government funding is applied. Under the current system, eligible two-year-olds, all three- and four-year-olds, and working parents of children from nine months old may be entitled to funded hours. Ask whether the nursery stretches these hours across more days at reduced time, or offers them in blocks and whether there are top-up fees.

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Health, Allergies, and Day-to-Day Wellbeing

Questions to ask:

• How do you handle food allergies and dietary requirements?
• What is your sickness policy?
• How do you manage accidents and record them?
• Who is responsible for administering medication, and what's the process?
• How do you support children with separation anxiety?

Ask to see the menu. A nursery that prepares fresh, nutritious meals on site like Little Mowgli Nursery does is worth noting. Food matters for concentration, mood, and growth. Processed snacks and pre-packaged meals are not the same thing as a thoughtfully prepared hot lunch.

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Settling In and the Transition Process

A good settling-in process makes a measurable difference to how quickly a child feels safe and confident. Don't assume all nurseries handle this the same way.

Questions to ask:

• How long does the settling-in period typically take?
• Can I stay with my child during initial sessions?
• How do you communicate with me if my child is struggling to settle?
• How do you prepare children for moving to a new room as they grow?

If a nursery pushes back on parents being present during early sessions, or doesn't have a structured approach to transitions, that's worth weighing carefully.

What to Look For While You're Walking Around

Questions matter, but observation matters just as much. While you're on the tour, notice:

• Do the children look engaged and content, or unsettled?
• Are staff getting down to the children's level, making eye contact, and talking with them?
• Is the space clean, well-organised, and inviting?
• Are there books, creative materials, and open-ended resources, or mainly screens and passive toys?
• Is the outdoor space accessible and used regularly?

Trust your instincts alongside the answers. A nursery that feels warm and genuine when you walk through the door usually has something real behind it.

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After the Visit: What to Do Next

Once you've completed your nursery tours, sit with your notes before making a decision. Compare what each setting said about the things that matter most to you learning approach, staff stability, outdoor time, safeguarding, and the terms around notice periods.

If a nursery impresses you, ask for the parent handbook and admissions terms in writing. Read the contract carefully, paying particular attention to the nursery notice period withdrawal clause and deposit conditions.

If you're visiting Little Mowgli Nursery, the team is happy to walk you through everything from how the Tiger and Giraffe rooms work to the daily routine and curriculum. You can get in touch via their website to arrange a visit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good nursery notice period for withdrawal, and what should I look for in the contract? 

Most nurseries require four to eight weeks' written notice before you withdraw a place. Check the contract before you sign, including whether your deposit is refundable if circumstances change. Always get the terms confirmed in writing, not just verbally during a tour.

What questions should I ask about safeguarding during a nursery visit? 

Ask who the Designated Safeguarding Lead is, what training they have, and how the nursery manages access to the building. You can also check the nursery's most recent Ofsted report on gov.uk to see how inspectors rated their safeguarding practices.

How do I know if a nursery's curriculum is right for my child? 

Ask staff to explain their approach in their own words, not just point you to a policy document. Look for a balance of structured learning and free play, clear links to the EYFS framework, and regular communication about your child's progress. A play-based approach with time outdoors is backed by strong evidence in early years research.

What should I ask about fees and funding at a nursery? 

Ask whether the nursery accepts government-funded hours, what the full fee breakdown is, and whether there are additional charges for meals, trips, or activities. Also ask about the notice period for withdrawing a place, and whether the registration deposit is refundable.

How many nurseries should I visit before choosing one? 

Most parents find it useful to visit two or three. Visiting more than one gives you a point of comparison and helps you notice things you might not pick up on during a first visit. Bring your questions written down so you don't lose track of anything important in the moment.

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