Questions to ask any childcare provider
Opening hours and daily arrangements
- What are your opening hours and arrangements for holidays and sickness?
- Do you have any places available now?
- How will we communicate about my child's needs each day?
- What do I need to arrange if my child needs medication?
Safety and wellbeing
- Do the children seem calm, safe and happy, and do they play and talk together?
- How will you protect my child and keep them safe?
- How will you meet my child’s needs during the day or session?
- How will you help my child settle in?
- Will my child have a named person to support them?
- How can parents and carers get involved?
- Does your insurance cover outings, including car journeys and public liability?
- Can I see your latest Ofsted inspection report, public liability insurance and registration certificate?
- Can I see your policies on child protection, inclusion, complaints, managing behaviour and toilet training?
Fees and contracts
- How much do you charge, and when do I need to pay?
- How will you use my child’s Early Years Entitlement hours each week?
- How will you share these hours if my child attends more than one childcare setting?
- Are there extra charges for meals, nappies, outings or activities?
- Will I need to pay if my child is off sick or we are on holiday?
- Do I need to pay a deposit or a fee to hold a place?
- How much notice must you or I give to end the arrangement?
Support for your child's additional needs
If your child has special educational needs or a disability (SEND), you may want to ask additional questions.
- Can I see your SEND Local Offer or information about how you support children with additional needs?
- How will you meet my child's individual needs?
- What experience do staff have of supporting children with SEND?
- How do you work with parents, carers and other professionals to support children's development?
Additional questions for nurseries, pre-schools and out-of-school providers
- How is the organisation managed?
- Who runs the setting day to day?
- What qualifications and experience do staff have?
- How many children does each member of staff look after?
- How do you support staff training and development?
Additional questions for childminders and nannies
- What training, qualifications and experience do you have?
- What happens if you are ill or on holiday?
- Are you part of a childminding network or professional association?
- Do you regularly take children to local groups, family hubs or community activities?
- How will my child spend time and play with other children?
Questions your child may want to ask
Your child may have different questions from you. Talk to them about what matters to them and use these questions to help you explore their views together.
Arriving and settling in
- Will someone notice me and say hello when I arrive?
- Can my mum, dad or carer stay until I feel confident and happy?
The space around me
- Can I reach the things I need, such as toys, door handles and the toilet?
- Are there people or pictures of people who look like me?
- Is there a safe place for my things?
- Is there somewhere I can be quiet or spend time on my own?
Playing and activities
- Are there different things to play with?
- Can I choose what I play with?
- Will there be something different to do each time?
- Can I play outside when I want to?
Food and sleep
- What happens if I am thirsty or hungry?
- Will I have to eat food I don not usually eat at home?
- Will I have to sleep if I am not tired?
The people who look after me
- Will I have a named person to look after me?
- Who can I tell if something is wrong?
- Will someone contact my mum, dad or carer if I really need them?
- Can I bring a teddy, toy or comforter?
Rules and getting help
- Will someone explain what I can and cannot do?
- What happens if I do something wrong?
- What happens if I wet my pants, and will anyone be cross with me?
- What happens if another child hurts or frightens me?
- Can I help make the rules?
Make you choice
If you can, visit several childcare providers to compare what they offer. Ask your child what they think and listen to their suggestions. You know each other best, so use your visits and conversations to choose childcare that works for you both.
Last updated: 11 November 2026