A nursery tour is where the brochure meets reality — and the right questions are how you tell the difference. The most useful ones are specific and ask the nursery to show, not just tell: how they assess your child’s progress, what their staff ratios and qualifications are, what settling-in actually looks like, how they’ll communicate with you, and what their safety and sick-child policies are. A confident, quality nursery answers these directly and shows you the evidence. This guide gives you the full list, grouped so you can take it with you — and at the end, an honest note on how Little Diamond Nursery answers them across our four Dubai branches.
Why the questions you ask matter
Most nurseries look lovely on a tour — bright walls, happy displays, a warm welcome. That’s the easy part. What separates a genuinely strong setting from a well-decorated one is what’s underneath: real curriculum delivery, qualified people, clear safety practice, and honest communication. Specific questions cut through the presentation. The test isn’t just what they answer, but whether they can show you proof when you ask.
Questions about curriculum and learning
For parents thinking about development and the path to school, these matter most:
- What curriculum do you follow, and how is it delivered day to day?
- How do you assess my child’s progress across the seven areas of learning?
- How and how often will I see my child’s progress?
- How do you support a child who is ahead, or who needs a little more help?
- Which schools do your children typically move on to?
A nursery delivering British EYFS properly can show you how progress is observed and recorded — not just say “we follow EYFS.” (More on that in our guide to [what EYFS is and the 7 areas of learning].)
Questions about staff and care
The people are the nursery. Ask:
- What are your child-to-staff ratios?
- What qualifications and training do your educators hold?
- Will my child have a consistent key person?
- What’s your staff turnover like?
- How do you handle behaviour and conflict between children?
Questions about safety, health and hygiene
Non-negotiables, and a quality nursery welcomes them:
- What are your safeguarding and security procedures (entry, collection, ID checks)?
- Is there a nurse on site, and what’s your policy when a child is unwell?
- How do you handle allergies, medication and emergencies?
- Are you licensed and in good standing with KHDA?
- What are your hygiene and cleaning routines?
Questions about settling-in and daily life
This is where first-time parents find their reassurance:
- What does the settling-in process look like in the first days and weeks?
- What’s a typical day’s routine?
- How will you communicate with me each day — updates, photos, a direct line?
- What and where do the children eat, and how is nap time handled?
- Can I see the outdoor space and the room my child would actually be in?
Questions about the practical details
- What are your hours, term dates and fees, and what’s included?
- Is there flexibility on days, hours or early drop-off?
- What’s the registration process and timeline?
- Are there sibling discounts or current offers?
Tip: take this list with you and jot answers as you go. After three or four tours they blur together — notes make the decision far easier.
Little Diamond Nursery runs British EYFS for ages 1–4 across Discovery Gardens (The Gardens), Mina Rashid, Arjan and Al Mankhool. The best way to use this list is in person — book a tour at your nearest branch and put us to the test.
Frequently asked questions
What questions should I ask when visiting a nursery in Dubai?
Ask how they deliver and assess the curriculum, what their staff ratios and qualifications are, what settling-in looks like, how they’ll communicate with you daily, their safety and sick-child policies, KHDA standing, and the practical details of hours, fees and registration. Specific questions reveal genuine quality.
How do I know if a nursery is good quality on a tour?
Look beyond the décor. A quality nursery answers specific questions directly and shows you evidence — real progress records, clear safeguarding procedures, qualified staff, and happy, settled children. If a question is met with a vague answer or a change of subject, ask again.
What should I look for in a nursery’s safety procedures?
Secure entry and collection with ID checks, clear safeguarding policies, a nurse on site or on call, sensible procedures for allergies and medication, and good hygiene routines. The nursery should also be KHDA-licensed.
How many questions should I ask on a nursery tour?
There’s no set number — bring a written list covering curriculum, staff, safety, settling-in and practical details, and ask whatever you need to feel confident. A good nursery is happy to answer them all.
Can I visit a nursery before enrolling my child?
Yes — reputable nurseries encourage in-person tours before you commit. Little Diamond Nursery welcomes tours at all four branches so you can see the space, meet the staff and ask your questions directly.