Check the Ofsted report
Every registered nursery and childminder in England is inspected by Ofsted. You can search any provider's latest report on the Ofsted reports website.
Ofsted is changing how it reports on early years settings. Instead of one overall word like "Outstanding" or "Good", newer inspections give a report card with grades for several areas. For a while you'll see a mix of old-style and new-style reports, so read the summary rather than relying on a single word, and check how recent the inspection was.
Questions to ask when you visit
- Do you have a place for the date I need, and how long is the waiting list?
- Do you offer the funded hours, and what do you charge for extras like meals, nappies or trips?
- Can I use Tax-Free Childcare to pay you?
- What are the staff-to-child ratios, and how long have the key staff been here?
- How do you settle new babies in, and how will you keep me updated?
- What happens if my child is ill, and what are your opening hours and holiday closures?
When to start looking
Popular nurseries can have waiting lists of many months. Work out when your free hours start and when you go back to work, then start visiting several months before.
Ready to go?
Ready to look at nurseries near you? Search the official Ofsted reports:
Want the exact dates for your baby? Get your personal timeline: enter your due date or birthday and see every deadline in order.
Sources: Ofsted reports. Checked 28 October 2026.