Nurseries
The purpose of day nurseries
A Day Nursery usually provides full day care from 8.00am to 6.00pm for children between the ages of 0 to 5 years old. Day Nurseries provide a full range of early learning, play, social activities and childcare.
Care will be available full time for working parents and also on a sessional basis. Contact your local Children's Information Service for a leaflet on Three and Four Year Old Funding.
Day Nurseries will provide a range of activities offering children the opportunity to experiment and learn through activities such as sand, water, paint, construction and imaginative toys, music and movement and many more additional activities personal to each nursery.
The regulation of day nurseries
All Day Nurseries are registered and inspected by the Early Years Directorate within Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education). All registered settings must meet the 14 national standards relating to health and safety, equipment, premises, staffing, care and learning.
If the setting is registered to receive 3 and 4 Year Old Funding they will undergo an additional Ofsted Early Years Education Inspection, to ensure they are meeting the learning goals for children's educational development. Inspection reports and action plans are available to read in each setting.
The ages and numbers of children
Day Nurseries provide care and early education for children between the ages of 0 and 5 years. The setting may have between 10 and 100 registered places depending on the space and facilities available. Most Day Nurseries have units for babies under the age of 2 years. However not all settings provide this facility.
Costs
Day Nursery costs can vary widely. For a child under 2 years old costs could be between £24 and £32 per full day. For a child over 2 years old prices range from £13 to £32 per day, depending on whether they are able to access the 3 and 4 Year Old Funding. Additional charges may be made for food, nappies etc.
Most Day Nurseries allocate places from their waiting list. There may be a charge to register on this list. Once the child reaches Three and Four Year Old Funding eligibility age, the child will be able to receive up to five two and a half hour sessions per week for 11 weeks of each term.
Eligibility criteria will vary depending on the authority where the child lives and if the day nursery is registered to receive the grant. Working parents may be able to get help with costs if they are eligible to receive the Working Tax Credit. Please ask for a leaflet from the Children's Information Service.
Qualifications and training of staff
All Day Nursery settings are required to employ a certain number of qualified staff. All staff are checked to ensure they are suitable to look after children. Currently at least half the staff in each setting will have relevant childcare qualifications.
Day Nurseries offer an adult to child ratio of 1:8 minimum for children aged 3 to 5, 1:4 for children aged 2 to 3 years old and 1:3 for children under 2 years old.
Each child may be allocated an individual member of staff to act as their key person, who will establish an understanding of the child's development and progress and liaise closely with parents.
Choosing a day nursery
Ask your local Children's Information Service for a list of Day Nurseries or Day Nurseries for Babies depending on the age of your child. Contact the Day Nursery by phone or letter to ask about availability of places, waiting lists and charges.
- Book visits to see the Day Nursery with your child.
- It is advisable to visit several settings.
- Make a selection from the ones appropriate to your needs and the needs of your child.
You can search for registered childcare providers in Poole by visiting the Directgov 
and Childcare Link website.
Questions you may wish to ask Nursery staff:
- Is the nursery registered to receive 3 and 4 Year Old Funding?
- Is there an outside area, which the children can use?
- How much are the fees and when do I pay?
- Would I have to pay if my child was absent, through sickness or due to family holidays?
- What sort of ratio is there between staff and children?
What qualifications/experience do the staff have?
- How do staff care for and interact with the children? Are key persons allocated?
- How is unacceptable behaviour managed and what is the Day Nursery's policy on behaviour management?
- What type of rest, sleep provision is available?
- What are their policies on potty training?
- Are trips and visits organised?
- What range of activities are on offer?
- Are meals provided?
- What facilities are available for Children with Special Needs?
- What records are kept on the children?
- How are parents informed of routine and progress?
- Ask to see the Ofsted Inspection Reports & Action Plans.
Useful Contacts:
- BAECE - British Association for Early Childhood Education: 020 7539 5400
- NDNA - National Day Nurseries Association: 01484 723322
- Daycare Trust: 020 7840 3350
- Ofsted Helpline: 0845 601 4771
- Poole Localities and Childcare Team: 01202 261900
- School Admissions Team: 01202 261936
- Tax Credit Helpline: 0845 300 3900
Directgov