Some questions to consider when reviewing creches:
Is it a welcoming environment? Can you visit any time?
How are the staff? Is there good interaction between staff and children? Do the staff listen to the children, and treat them with respect?
Do the children look happy and relaxed?
Is there an outdoor play area?
Is the premises clean, bright and well ventilated?
Ask about sleeping arrangements. Are there assigned cots / sheets / sleeping mats?
Have a look at the equipment and toys on offer. Are they age appropriate, clean and in good condition?
Ask about care plans and routines, are they flexible? Have a look to see if they are displayed on the walls. What will your child be doing during the day?
Ask to see the toilets and nappy changing areas. Are they clean, tidy and well ventilated, and are the relevant procedures displayed on the wall?
Have a look to see if the weekly menu is displayed.
What qualifications do the staff hold?
What are their policies if your child has an accident or becomes ill?
Some questions to consider when reviewing creches/ Playschools and any type of childcare facility
Is it a welcoming environment? Can you visit any time?
How are the staff? Is there good interaction between staff and children? Do the staff listen to the children, and treat them with respect?
Do the children look happy and relaxed?
Is there an outdoor play area? and what equipment do they have? Is there enough for the amount of children using it?
Is the premises clean, bright and well ventilated? Is it safe? Are potential hazards minimised? E.g stairgates etc
Ask about sleeping arrangements. Are there assigned cots / sheets / sleeping mats? If not, are they washed daily? Are there plenty of them for the amount of children catered for?
Have a look at the equipment and toys on offer. Are they age appropriate, clean and in good condition? Are there plenty of them for the amount of children catered for?
Ask about care plans and routines, are they flexible? Have a look to see if they are displayed on the walls. What will your child be doing during the day? Are all areas of development catered for?
Ask to see the toilets and nappy changing areas. Are they clean, tidy and well ventilated, and are the relevant procedures displayed on the wall? Are nappy changing logs kept? And are you shown them when you collect your child?
Have a look to see if the weekly menu is displayed. What provision is made for food intolerances, likes and dislikes and food prohibited on religious grounds? Are feeding logs kept and are you shown them when you collect your child?
What qualifications do the staff hold? What are the staff:child ratios? And are they the same all day?
What are their policies if your child has an accident or becomes ill? What are their policies on administering medicine?
What is their policy on who supplies nappies, wipes etc and food for babies? (parent or creche?)
Are you happy with the security system? e.g buzzer at door etc. Do they ask you for written contact details of other people who might be collecting your child?
Are you given a copy of the service's policies and prcedures to read?
Are staff rotas available if you want to see them?
Have they a recent HSE inspection report? And can you see it?
Hi Dors, I added a bit to your post, the bits in bold. I hope you don't mind
