After more than a decade working directly with children aged two to five, I’ve learned that the quality of a setting reveals itself in everyday moments. When families ask how I personally judge a nursery in Hertford, my answer always comes back to what I’ve seen on the floor, during ordinary mornings, not during polished open days or special events.
In my early years as a practitioner, I once joined a nursery that looked ideal on paper. The rooms were bright, the planning was detailed, and the daily schedule was full. But within a few weeks, it became clear that the pace was overwhelming for some children. I remember one child who consistently withdrew during group activities. Instead of adjusting the approach, staff were encouraged to “stick to the plan.” The child didn’t struggle because the nursery lacked resources; they struggled because flexibility wasn’t valued. That experience shaped how I assess nurseries to this day.
What I pay attention to first is how adults respond when children don’t follow expectations. During a visit I supported as part of staff mentoring, a child refused to join tidy-up time and became visibly upset. One practitioner calmly acknowledged the feeling, offered help, and stayed present without escalating the situation. Another setting I visited handled a similar moment with raised voices and rushed instructions. The difference in outcomes was striking. In my experience, nurseries that prioritise emotional regulation over compliance tend to support children far more effectively.
A common mistake I see parents make is focusing heavily on activities rather than relationships. Over the years, I’ve watched children thrive in modest rooms simply because they trusted the adults around them. In one nursery where I worked long-term, staff retention was high, and children formed strong attachments. Settling-in periods were shorter, and transitions between rooms were smoother. In contrast, settings with frequent staff changes often struggled, even if their facilities were impressive. Consistency is something I strongly recommend families ask about, even if it feels uncomfortable to raise.
My professional background includes formal early years qualifications and years of mentoring newer practitioners, so I’m also attentive to how staff talk about their work. During one visit, a practitioner described a child as “difficult” without context. In another setting, a similar child was described as “needing extra reassurance right now.” That difference in language reflects a deeper difference in mindset. Nurseries that encourage reflective discussion tend to adapt more thoughtfully to children’s needs.
I’ve also found that outdoor play is often revealing. Not because of the equipment, but because of how it’s used. I once observed a group outside on a damp morning, where staff allowed children to explore freely while setting clear, calm boundaries. Clothes got muddy, but the children were engaged and confident. In other settings, outdoor time felt restrictive and rushed, which often led to frustration. How a nursery approaches these moments says a lot about its priorities.
After years of hands-on experience, my perspective is simple and firm. A nursery earns my confidence when it feels steady, responsive, and grounded in real understanding of child development. I look for calm voices, thoughtful adjustments, and adults who genuinely know the children in their care. Those qualities don’t come from a checklist. They come from experience, reflection, and a commitment to doing right by children every single day.