Why it’s important to get ahead of the game
Written by Jacqui Holford, Nursery Manager
Amidst buying baby grows, decorating baby’s bedroom, creating shortlists of your favourite names, and installing their first car seat, finding a nursery place isn’t always a priority for parents to be. Often it is not until your little one arrives that your attention turns towards nurseries. But with growing waiting lists and high levels of demand, some parents can struggle to find a place for their child if this process is started too late.
As Nursery Manager at Loughborough Nursery, and a part of our wonderful community since the nursery first opened over 10 years ago, I understand that choosing a nursery that is both right for you and your child is an important decision for parents to make. I have in-depth knowledge of this process and have been privileged not only to welcome countless numbers of families into our warm and welcoming setting, but also to watch their children develop their personality, character and intellect day by day as they learn new things.
My top tip for ensuring you find the right setting to suit you and your child is; start early! Even as early as during pregnancy. Nursery places, especially for younger age groups, are often taken quickly due to the need for smaller staff ratios and the last thing any new parents want to do is to take time away from the ‘newborn bubble’ to look for a nursery both with the space to accommodate them and which is one they like.
Every family is looking for something different, and it can take time to ensure you find the environment that’s right for you. The best way to find the right fit, and avoid any unwanted last-minute stress, is to start viewing nurseries in person as early as possible. This enables you to meet staff, observe the setting through real interactions and take the time you need to carefully consider your options. How do the staff interact with the children? Are the children known by name? Do they appear relaxed, happy, and settled with the team? These small details say a lot about the environment.
Starting your search early gives you the best chance of securing a place in a setting that offers a true “home from home” experience. At Loughborough Nursery, we believe in building strong relationships with all our parents to ensure children settle quickly; this begins from the moment you first enquire with us or walk through our doors.
Open communication plays a vital role in helping you feel secure, understood and confident, and having this level of trust in place before your child’s first day with us can make all the difference.
A child’s first few months in nursery are incredibly important, as they lay the foundations for the rest of their time with us. We focus on creating a nurturing environment where children can thrive from the very beginning. Our Developers room accepts children from as early as 6 weeks old and is focused on making the transition between home and Nursery a smooth one. It is our mission to support you in your role as the first and most important educator of your children.
On joining us, your child will be assigned a key person from our team of highly experienced child specialists who will work closely with them to promote their development, build gross motor skills and get to know their individual personality. They will be your key point of contact for communication, ensuring a seamless start to your child’s nursery journey and helping to provide a sense of consistency between their home and nursery life.
If you’re looking to begin your own nursery search, I would be delighted to welcome you for a tour of our outstanding facilities and to show you how we can meet the needs of you and your family.
