How to Choose a Nursery in Fulham: A Parent’s Checklist
Fulham has dozens of nurseries, from large chains to Montessori schools and small, family-run nurseries in Fulham like ours. Search results can make them all look alike. This checklist, from a nursery director with more than 20 years in early years, will help you compare them on what actually matters to your child.
1. Start with what your family needs
Before you look at a single website, write down:
- Your child’s age and when you’d like them to start. Some nurseries take babies; others, like us, start at 2.
- The hours you need. Full days 8am–6pm, mornings only, or term-time sessions? Nursery schools and preschools often run shorter days.
- Where the journey fits. Near home, near work, or on your commute? In Fulham, being close to the District line can make drop-off far easier.
- Your budget, after the funding you’re entitled to.
2. Read the Ofsted report, not just the grade
Every registered nursery in England is inspected by Ofsted. Look up any nursery on the Ofsted reports site and read the full report: it tells you how children settle, how well staff know them, and what the nursery needs to improve. Check the inspection date too; a report from several years ago may not reflect the nursery today, so ask what has changed since.
3. Look at the staff, not just the building
A beautiful room matters less than the adults in it. On a visit, watch:
- Do staff get down to the children’s level and talk with them?
- Do children go to staff for comfort or help?
- Does the same team seem to have been there a while? High staff turnover is hard on young children.
Ask about qualifications, how the key person system works, and who your child’s key person would be.
4. Ask how settling-in works
Good nurseries don’t rush. Ask how many settling-in sessions they offer, whether you can stay at first, and what happens if your child takes longer to settle. A flexible answer is a good sign.
5. Check how learning happens
All nurseries in England follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), but they bring it to life differently. Some follow Montessori principles; others are play-based or offer extras like languages. Ask what a typical day looks like, how much time children spend outdoors, and how they’ll share your child’s progress with you. What is the EYFS? →
6. Understand funding and real costs
Ask every nursery the same questions:
- Which funded hours do you accept (15 hours for 2-year-olds, 15 and 30 hours for 3- and 4-year-olds)?
- Can funded hours be stretched across the year?
- What’s included in the fee: meals, nappies, trips?
- Are there extra charges during funded hours?
7. Visit at least two or three nurseries
Visiting a few nurseries gives you a feel for the difference between them. Go during a normal day, not an open evening, so you see real routines. Trust your instincts: if your child would feel at home there, that matters more than any brochure.
Questions to ask on a nursery visit
Print this list and take it with you:
- What does a typical day look like for my child’s age group?
- How many children and adults are in the room?
- Who would my child’s key person be?
- How long have most staff worked here?
- How do you settle new children?
- How often do children go outside?
- What meals and snacks do you provide, and how do you manage allergies?
- How will you tell me about my child’s day and progress?
- Which funded hours do you accept, and what do you charge on top?
- What is your notice period, and what happens on bank holidays?
- When was your last Ofsted inspection, and what did you change afterwards?
- How do you prepare children for school?
Why some Fulham parents choose a smaller nursery
Large nurseries can offer extensive facilities. Smaller ones offer something different: fewer children, fewer staff changes, and a team that knows every family. At Caring Hands, with just 15 places, the owner is on site every day and every adult knows every child. Whether that suits you depends on your child; visiting both kinds is the best way to find out. Small nursery or large chain? →
Frequently asked questions
When should I start looking for a nursery in Fulham?
6 to 12 months before you need a place. Popular nurseries, and small ones with few places, can have waiting lists.
What is the best nursery in Fulham?
There isn’t one best nursery for every child. The best nursery for yours is one with a good Ofsted report, staff your child warms to, hours that fit your life, and a cost you can sustain.
Do all Fulham nurseries accept funded hours?
Most do, but not all offer every type or let you stretch hours over the year. Always ask.
Closing: Looking for a nursery in Fulham for a child aged 2 to 5? Book a visit to Caring Hands and see a normal day for yourself.
