Look at how practitioners talk to and interact with the children. Do they seem genuinely interested in what children are doing? Do they notice when a child needs help, reassurance or encouragement? Strong relationships give children the security they need to explore, communicate and learn.

A nursery doesn't need to be silent or perfectly tidy — children are supposed to be active and make a mess. But there should be a sense that adults are in control of the environment and that children feel secure and comfortable within it.

Ask about a typical day rather than simply looking at the activity list. Is there a good balance of child-led play, adult interaction, outdoor time, stories, creative experiences, physical activity, routines and opportunities to explore? Play and hands-on experiences are fundamental ways young children learn.

Every child develops differently. Look for a setting that takes the time to understand children's interests, personalities, development and needs, rather than expecting every child to respond in exactly the same way.

Resources and activities are important, but they aren't a substitute for good adults. Watch what practitioners do while children are playing. Are they getting involved, talking with children, extending their thinking and introducing new language and ideas? High-quality interactions are a particularly important part of early years practice.

Ask how often children go outside and what they actually do when they're there. Having a garden is one thing; using the outdoors as an important part of children's play, physical development, exploration and learning is another.

Ask who will actually care for your child and how the nursery manages staff changes, sickness and holidays. Children benefit from secure, consistent relationships with familiar adults, so the people providing the care are just as important as the building and resources.

Good childcare shouldn't feel like something that happens separately from family life. Ask how the nursery communicates with parents, how they share information about your child's development and how they involve you when there are concerns or important decisions to make. Strong family engagement is recognised as an important part of high-quality early childhood education.

Ofsted reports are useful and definitely worth reading, but I wouldn't use the inspection outcome as the only way of choosing a nursery. Read the report, understand what inspectors identified as strengths and areas for improvement, and then visit the setting yourself.

Ultimately, you're choosing somewhere that your child may spend a significant part of their early years. The question isn't simply whether a nursery looks good on paper — it's whether you can picture your child feeling safe, happy, understood and excited to be there.