The Ultimate Nursery Checklist: How to Find the Right Fit for Your Child

Finding the right person (or place) to look after your baby, toddler or young child can feel completely overwhelming. It’s totally normal to have mixed feelings about childcare, especially if it ties in with going back to work. Some mums can’t wait to get back to work but still feel anxious about leaving their little one. Others might dread the thought of returning altogether. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s perfectly normal to have a whole mix of emotions about going back to work.

Whether you’re thinking about a childminder, relying on grandparents, or leaning towards a nursery, there’s a lot to consider. For many families, nursery is the most practical choice, but finding and getting a place isn’t always straightforward. In fact, lots of nurseries across the UK are oversubscribed, especially the ones with a great local reputation. If nursery is something you’re considering, it’s a good idea to start looking early, even before your baby arrives. I couldn’t believe it when I was the only person my antenatal course who hadn’t secured their nursery place already!

Things to Think About When Choosing a Nursery

Hours

It’s worth knowing that your child doesn’t need to attend nursery full-time or even for full days. Most nurseries offer flexible options, including;

• Full days (usually around 10 hours, 7:30am-5:30pm, 8am–6pm)
• Short days (around 7 hours)
• Half days, either morning or afternoon sessions

You can choose whatever works best for your family, however you may be required to commit to a minimum number of sessions in the week.

Ofsted Reports
Always check the nursery’s most recent Ofsted report. While it’s just one snapshot in time, it can highlight any key strengths or concerns, especially around safeguarding, leadership and the quality of care and education.

Funded Hours & Extra Costs
If you’re planning to use government-funded hours, ask the nursery how they apply them.
Currently, most families can get 30 hours of funded hours per week, for 38 weeks of the year. Funded hours is a whole different blog post itself, so I will keep it simple here! Nurseries often charge separately for:

• Meals and snacks
• Nappies or wipes (sometimes)
• Any extra hours beyond your funded allowance.

Have a chat with any nursery you’re considering about how the funded hours actually work in practice, and check what’s not covered. Even with funding, nursery places are rarely completely free. Keep in mind you may still have to pay for days when the nursery is closed, for example, if your child’s usual day is a Monday but there’s a bank holiday, you’ll likely still be charged, often at a reduced rate of around 20–25%. It’s worth factoring this in when deciding which days you’ll be working.

How They Keep in Touch
Most nurseries use an app to keep parents updated throughout the day, which will share info on meals, naps, nappy changes and activities. It’s lovely to get a photo or quick message, especially in the early days when it’s all new.

Opening Times & Holidays
Is the nursery open all year round, or just term-time?

• Term-time settings are ideal if you work in education
• Year-round nurseries suit most working parents better

That said, even some full-year nurseries take a week off at Easter and Christmas, so it’s worth checking how that could affect your annual leave. You might need to use some of your annual leave if the nursery is closed.

Settling-In Process
Every nursery has its own way of helping new children settle into nursery. Most offer a few shorter sessions at first, building up gradually. Ask what their approach is so you know what to expect and can plan ahead.

Illness Policy
Children do pick up bugs when they start nursery, it’s part of the deal, sadly! Make sure you know:

• When they need to stay at home
• How long they need to be symptom-free (e.g. after a fever or sickness)
• Whether the nursery gives medication like teething gel

Parent Reviews & Reputation
Word of mouth is gold. Speak to other local parents or look at online reviews to get a feel for how happy people are with the nursery. It’s a great way to sense the atmosphere and how well the children are cared for.

Daily Routine, Learning & Meals
Ask what a typical day looks like:

• What's the balance between structured activities and free play? What type of structured activities are offered?
• Are the meals freshly made? What’s the menu like? How are allergies managed?
• How do they support your child’s learning and interests?

Location & Logistics
Be practical:

• Do the opening hours fit around your job?
• How long will the journey take from home or work?
• What happens if you’re late for pick-up, will there be extra fees?
• If something at work overruns, will you still make it in time?

Traffic, commuting and flexibility can make a big difference to your daily routine, so think about how this could affect your nursery plans.

How to Secure a Place

Once you’ve found a nursery you like:

• You’ll probably need to pay a non-refundable deposit, between £20-100.
• Fill in the paperwork to confirm your child’s start date and days they’ll attend, these are usually provisional and ok to be amended, subject to availability
• Some places have waiting lists, so the earlier you apply, the better.

Planning ahead and asking the right questions can make all the difference in finding a nursery that suits your child, and gives you peace of mind too. By taking time to research, ask the right questions, and plan ahead, you can find a nursery that supports your child’s growth while giving you confidence and peace of mind. Securing your nursery spot is just one of many baby essentials covered in Listely’s baby to do list – your go-to guide for all things bump, baby and beyond.