Finding good quality childcare can be a difficult task for parents. There are lots of things to look out for and to remember to ask when you visit a childcare setting. How do you know if your child will be happy? Will they cater to your child’s needs? Do they provide feedback about how your child is doing? What if your child doesn’t like it?

And but when it comes to our conundrum kids, things are of course, that little bit more challenging. I would always say – go with your gut feeling. Trust your amazing mum/dad radar, and even if there is a slight niggle at the back of your mind then sort it out. Be upfront with any childcare provider about your child – diagnosis or not, let them know how your child learns, any sensory or motor difficulties, how do they cope with separation, what about emotional regulation?

Their responses to what you tell them will sway you one way or another. Ultimately you want your child to be in an environment where they will be safe, and happy.

When you’ve chosen a provider the next thing to do is write a CV. Really. What qualities would a childminder or nursery be looking for in your child? What about the skills they need to settle in well? What would you love your child to be doing by the time they leave? What’s that next step in their journey? Write them down and then give them to your nursery to provide the background information they need to get off on the right foot.

Here’s a starter for ten.

Ready, steady, let’s go to nursery