Nursery guides for parents

Practical, up-to-date advice on every stage of early years childcare.

4 guides

Choosing & Inspecting

Choosing the right nursery: a parent's checklist

A practical checklist for visiting and comparing nurseries, from first impressions and staff to food, outdoor space and communication.

2 min read

Choosing & Inspecting

Understanding Ofsted report cards and nursery inspection ratings

How Ofsted inspects nurseries and childminders, what the new report cards show, and how to read an inspection report as a parent.

2 min read

Choosing & Inspecting

Day nursery vs childminder: which is right for your family?

Compare day nurseries and registered childminders on cost, flexibility, group size, learning and reliability to find the best fit for your child.

2 min read

Choosing & Inspecting

Staff-to-child ratios in UK early years settings

The legal minimum staff-to-child ratios for nurseries and childminders in England, and why they matter for your child's care.

2 min read