The right nursery is about more than a timetable

For many families, starting nursery at three is the first substantial step beyond home. Parents understandably look at practical details such as hours, location and facilities. Just as important is how a setting helps children feel secure, develop friendships and become curious about the world around them.

Look for warm, responsive relationships

When you visit, notice how adults greet children, listen to their ideas and respond when someone needs reassurance. A child who feels understood is better placed to explore, communicate and try something unfamiliar. Ask how staff learn about each child’s interests and how they support the settling-in period.

Ask what learning through play really looks like

Purposeful play can develop language, early number awareness, coordination and problem-solving without making every moment feel like a lesson. Watch whether children have opportunities to ask questions, investigate materials, tell stories and make choices. The best question is not simply “What will my child be taught?” but “How will my child be encouraged to discover?”

Explore outdoor experiences

Outdoor learning offers opportunities to move, notice seasonal change, take manageable risks and work with others. Ask how often children use outdoor spaces and what happens in different weather. At St Martin’s Nursery, our published approach includes Forest School sessions, sensory play and exploration of the school grounds.

Consider independence and the transition ahead

Nursery is also where children practise everyday skills: organising belongings, following routines, expressing needs and beginning to manage friendships. Ask how these experiences connect with Reception and whether familiar relationships can support the next stage.

What questions should parents ask on a nursery visit?

A visit is an opportunity to look beyond the prospectus. Ask how staff help a child who is upset at drop-off, how they get to know his interests and how parents hear about his progress. Notice whether children can reach materials independently and whether there is space for imaginative play, movement, stories and quiet moments. It is also worth asking how the day balances familiar routines with opportunities for children to make choices. A setting should be able to explain its approach in clear, practical terms, not simply list activities.

Helping your son settle into nursery

For many three-year-olds, settling in is a gradual process rather than a single successful first morning. Talk positively and simply about what nursery will involve. Practise opening a lunchbox, putting on a coat and asking an adult for help, without turning these into tests. A consistent goodbye routine can offer reassurance. At the end of the day, gentle questions such as ‘What did you enjoy?’ may be more inviting than asking for a full account of everything that happened. If your son is worried, share that information with staff so home and nursery can respond consistently.

Frequently asked questions

Is three too young to start nursery? Readiness varies. Consider your child’s needs, the setting’s support and how the transition is managed.

Should children know letters and numbers before nursery? Curiosity, communication, play and relationships are important foundations; ask the setting what it expects rather than assuming formal skills are required.

How do I compare nurseries in Northwood? Visit, ask about relationships and routines, review practical arrangements and consider where your child seems most comfortable.

Discover St Martin’s Nursery in Northwood

St Martin’s Nursery welcomes boys aged three to four within our wider school community. Our Little Martin’s framework includes exploration of the natural world, early geography and hands-on cause-and-effect investigations. We would love families to see the environment, meet our team and ask the questions that matter to them.

Better Prepared for senior school. Better Prepared for life.