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Writer's pictureOrchidale Nursery

When should I register my child at a nursery?



Finding the right nursery for your child is something many parents want to find out about. The most often questions parents wonder about is what the registration process is as well as what to look for, and what’s important when researching a nursery place for their child. With so much choice on offer it can seem a bit overwhelming when you first start the process of finding the right nursery for your little one, as it’s such an important decision for your child and your family.


The best piece of advice we could give is to make sure you spend a bit of time and more importantly, give yourself the time to look around at more nurseries rather than just settling for the nearest one with you with available places. We recommend that you start looking early, reading websites and reviews from other parents. This doesn’t have to take long as you will quickly get a feel for the Nursery ethos and what they offer from just looking at their websites alone. Once you’ve done that, we recommend checking any online reviews available on your favourite nurseries to see if they back up your opinion. It’s useful to hear the opinions of other parents as this does give you a good idea of the quality of the nursery care on offer. Do this with plenty of time to spare before you want your child to start. Think about your child, and what you know they respond to and like. Do you want them to be a part of a homely small nursery? Or do they like the outdoors, so a nursery with a with a large, exciting outside environment would be awesome too. Try to think about what would be a best fit for you and your child. Once you have done this then you should start arranging viewings. You will soon get a feel for what you are looking for, and when you find the right one you will know.


Why should I look for a nursery place as early as possible?

Your child can start with us at Orchidale at any age from 0-5 years and at any point during the year. Lots of children start here with us at Orchidale when they are two or younger. Generally, Baby Rooms have the smallest number of children in their rooms compared to other nursery rooms. This helps to make it feel more like a little Nursery family. It also allows us to carry out learning and play with the most focused personal care. There are usually fewer spaces available in rooms for younger children than there are in rooms for toddler or pre-school children because of the lower number of places available, so another good reason to start registering your child early.


Many nurseries have waiting lists for children, especially children under two years of age. In recent years, demand for childcare has grown and that demand keeps on growing. We always hate to inform parents when there is not the right session days and times available for their child.

It’s never nice to have to compromise on your preferred choice for anything for your child, and definitely not for a nursery place after you’ve found the perfect setting. Therefore, we always recommend applying as early as possible.


So how soon can I start looking?

We would recommend that even if you’re in your pregnancy or your baby has just been born, it’s important to start your childcare search early. It’s never too early to make enquiries and to book a nursery tour. You are more than welcome to come and see us as soon as you can!


What is the registration process for our nursery?

Every nursery will have a slightly different registration process that is unique to them, but they will have some similarities. Our registration process is outlined for you below.


1. Book a Nursery Tour

One of the best ways to make your initial enquiry is to arrange a visit/show-around tour of our nursery. You can arrange a tour by contacting the nursery via phone or email or by getting on to our website and filling out the contact form. All are outlined at the end of this blog post.

During your visit to the nursery, our team will make you and your child feel welcome and answer all your questions as well as explain how a day runs for your child. Our Nursery Leader will advise you of the steps you need to take to register your child with our nursery.

Whilst we do not want parents to feel under pressure, it’s important to keep in mind that another family can take your place at any moment and a tour is not a guarantee of a space. Unfortunately, we can only offer you a confirmed place when you have completed our registration form and paid the registration fee.


2. Complete a Registration Form

Following your visit to the nursery, we will give you a registration form to complete, we can help with this if you like too. As soon as you’ve sent in or brought in your completed registration form, our Nursery Leader will look at the childcare sessions you requested on your form and advise whether they can be accommodated and whether we can offer a space for your child, you will then be contacted and your child’s place will be confirmed.


3. Arrange free settling in visits

Once your place has been confirmed we will invite you and your child to some free settling in visits. These usually consist of 3-5 visits over a week or two. You tell us when is convenient and we tell you if we can do. During the visit your child will be able to play with the staff and children to get a feel for the nursery. You will also complete an ‘All About Me’ form with a member of staff on your first settling visit so we can get to know your child’s likes and dislikes, sleep times, and any other important things about them before they start. Once these sessions are complete and we and you are happy that your child is really settled they are then ready to start with us!


To sum up we can’t stress the importance enough of applying early to your chosen nursery in plenty of time much before you want your child to begin nursery sessions. We do see disappointment with late applications, and we really do want to help. The sooner you can register means the best chance to get the space/place and times you would like.


It’s really useful for parents to plan as early as possible as our nursery currently has high levels of applications. This is extremely important if you want to guarantee a place for your child on certain days due to work commitments.


Finally, we really look forward to meeting you and your family if you would like to consider us once you’ve seen our website and reviews. We love what we do, we do actually believe we are the best nursery around, with amazing and inspiring provision, great huge outdoors, beautiful, homely indoors, and the most wonderful kind and gently family team who really care about the children they look after.


About Us: Orchidale Children's Nursery is based in a fantastic converted bungalow building in Taverham, 15 minutes from Norwich with childcare places for 2 months-5 year olds. We can offer your child fabulous fun filled days of activities to help children learn and make lots of new friends. We have a fabulous outdoor space with so many area's of learning. Including a separate 0-2's garden, forest school space, large lawn for the children to run around on and so much more! Please come and see us, our beautiful learning area's and our magical garden. If you are searching for a Day Nursery in Norwich, Norfolk then we are the Children's Nursery that goes the extra mile for you and your children.



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