choosing a nursery

[bednobs]

although i'm not going back to work till next year, we have started investigating nurseries for pheebs. Has anyone got any tips to what i should be asking/looking out for (ie what is important) and secondly, we went to see one this morning, and the babies sleep in prams outside no matter what the weather - even snow. Does that sound weird or healthy - i can't quite decide!

[ethandron]

Well, bad weather never stopped me pushing my baby to the shops, clinic, wherever, so as long as baby is well wrapped up and protected from the weather, it's actually no different putting it outside in the pram for a sleep.
Mind you, this was a good few years ago so perhaps modern thinking is different, everything else about bringing up baby seems to have changed...

[annie0000]

the sleeping outside thing is good - when my eldest was with a childminder he always slept outside in his pram - he would sleep on a sheepskin and n winter was well wrapped up - sometimes i had to clear the snow from the hood before we went home - he is extremely healthy, hasn't even had a cold in years and now 12 has not missed a days school since he was 7!

I think gut feel is the most important thing - I never used a nursery, but i am sure some more experienced people will come along soon!!

[ummmm]

Never heard about them sleeping outside. As long as they are wrapped up cosy, they should be fine.

I sent mine to a nursery my cousin went to. It was her reaction to the staff that made my mind up. That's not helpful, I know.

[annie0000]

.....actually, I wonder if that is why he is obsessed with camping!! - there is nothing wrong with being out in the fresh air imo.

[ummmm]

My kids nursery used to have a screaming session. Very funny to watch.

[annie0000]

...my mum loves hearing babies cry - that's probably why having 7 kids never stressed her out. She reckoned it gave their lungs good exercise. We also slept outside a lot as we lived in a small flat and it was a pain taking the pram upstairs so it sat at the bottom of the stair and was wheeled outside with whichever baby was dumped in it at the time.

[TOWIE]

My son never went to Nursery only Playschool at age of 3. I think go with your gut feeling - make sure the staff don't smoke around the babies (even outside). Recommendations are always good.

I am not sure about the sleeping outside in the snow ! if you left your baby in the garden in the pram in the snowy weather, I am sure your neighbours would be reporting you. I am all for fresh air, but snow, a definate no no.

[ummmm]

I love babies crying as well. As long as there's nothing wrong.

[annie0000]

lol Ummm - we all survived so I guess there was nothing wrong!

Having babies sleep outside is very common in Scotland (or was certainly) probably the same in Ireland and up north generally I think. It's probably more safety issues that have made people think again rather than it not being a healthy thing to do. Do you let Phoebe sleep outside now? She will be over a year old by the time she is in nursery so not a wee baby any more, my son was with the childminder from 4.5 months until about 10 months - right through the winter. My OH looked after him and his baby brother after that and the sometimes still slept out, but we didn't have a double pram, so it really depended who was sleepy and where we were.

[cathfromsaron]

hard to say without using gut instinct whilst viewing!

speak to other parents first?

obviously organised, well qualified staff, cleanliness, nutritious food and no 'nappy aroma' is a good start BUT messy with toys and walls crowded with children's creations is also good!

my grandson has 'auditioned' three places, and he ended up at one full days until he started school! now he goes there for a holiday club BUT they couldn't collect from school, so he goes to another after school only!

i would say the one we first chose has slightly better equipment, decor/light/space, facilities, staff/management and ethos, than the other, but both seem popular ...

i have done my own lightening inspections when 'dropping off a forgotten hat' or whatever and have never caught them napping!

make sure you put your name down as asoon as possible as they get really booked up! and expect to feel funny for a while when leaving him/her!

i would be especially put off by staff smoking outside and unsafe parking/drop offs!

cath x

[cathfromsaron]

PS: i believe in sleeping outside, so i would love that place!

[EDDIE51]

If I remember from correctly it was regarded as virtually essential for babies to get some 'fresh air' by being put outside in the pram for an hour or two . Mind you this was back in the late 50s early 60s. I was treated like that and I remember my Mum saying that my brothers had to have their hour out in the fresh air . As long as they are warmly wrapped up it is fine by me ( but I'm a just a 'man' father to 5 and grandad to 12)
Mind you as a kid I drank water out of the garden hose and I'm still alive !!!! so what do I know ?

[tigwig]

Hi bednobs. I'm a childminder now but worked in nurseries for several years before in baby rooms. Some nurseries are big on outdoors and this isnt necessarily a bad thing as there is so many germs floating about with lots of babies cooped up in a room all day! The only advice I would offer is to look around a few and get a feel for them. The staff should be qualified, caring and friendly. I personally prefer smaller nurseries, especially for babies as some do not like being around others. I guess it depends on your little ones personality too. Is she sociable around other babies and adults? Of course you could always try CM's too. I may be biased of course lol, but I think they are a much better option, especially for a baby. CM's look after smaller numbers of children (only 1 baby) and they get the benefit of a home from home environment and also taken out places too rather than been restricted to one room all day and a set routine. Of course it's your decision! Hope that helps.