What to look for, and the questions worth asking when you visit.
10 questions to ask on a visit
What is your latest Ofsted rating, and when were you inspected?
Who will my child’s key person be?
How do you help new children settle in?
What does a typical day look like, and how much time is spent outside?
Which funded hours do you accept, and how do they fit your sessions?
What do I need to provide, and is anything extra charged?
How will you keep me updated on my child’s progress?
How do you support children with additional needs?
What qualifications and training do your staff have?
Where do children usually go on to school?
How we answer them
Ofsted Good in every area (2023). A key person for every child. Settling-in sessions with you. Outside every day. 15 and 30 funded hours. Activities included. Tapestry updates. A dedicated SENCo.
Children who look busy, happy and absorbed in what they are doing
Staff down at children’s level, talking and playing with them
A room with lots to explore, and children’s own work on the walls
A safe, well-used outdoor space
Clear information about fees and funding
Staff who ask about your child, not just your paperwork
Questions
Choosing a pre-school FAQs
What is the difference between a pre-school and a nursery?
Pre-schools usually open in term time for shorter days and focus on children aged 2 to 5, often in a community or church hall. Day nurseries usually open all year, longer hours, and take babies. Both follow the same EYFS framework and are inspected by Ofsted.
How do I check a pre-school’s Ofsted rating?
Search for the setting’s name on the Ofsted reports website. Wigmore Under Fives is URN 105233 and was rated Good in every area in January 2023.
When should I start looking?
Six to twelve months before you want your child to start, especially for popular sessions such as mornings.
Come and see us
Book a visit or join the waiting list
It takes less than a minute. We will call you to arrange a time that suits you.