A nursery open day is a scheduled drop-in event where a nursery invites families to come in, look around and meet the team, usually without needing to book a one-to-one appointment. They're one of the easiest ways to get a real feel for a setting, and a great place to start if you're only just beginning to think about nursery.
In this guide, we'll cover what open days are, how they differ from nursery tours, what you'll get out of attending, and how to find open days near you.
What is a nursery open day?
An open day (sometimes called an open morning, open evening or stay and play session) is a set time when a nursery opens its doors to prospective families. You can usually drop in during a window of a few hours, explore the rooms, meet staff and ask questions in a relaxed setting.
Many nurseries hold them at weekends or in the evening, so working parents can attend without taking time off. Some also include activities for children, so little ones can play while you look around.
Why do nurseries hold open days?
For nurseries, open days are a chance to show families what makes their setting special. It's much easier to understand a nursery's approach, atmosphere and facilities in person than from a website or brochure.
They also let nurseries welcome lots of families at once, which is especially useful at busy times of year when many parents are starting their search.
Nursery open days vs nursery tours: what's the difference?
Both give you a chance to see inside a nursery, but they work quite differently.
Nursery tours are usually carried out one-to-one or in a small group. A member of staff, often the manager, will show you around, typically during a normal nursery day.
Open days are more informal. You'll often be there alongside other families, you can take your time to explore the space, and there's usually less pressure to cover everything at once. Because they're often held outside normal hours, you may not see a full nursery day in action, but you'll get a strong sense of the space, the staff and the nursery's ethos.
Many parents find the two work well together: attend an open day to narrow down your shortlist, then book a tour at your favourites to ask the detailed questions.
The benefits of attending a nursery open day
Plenty of time to explore
Open days are designed for browsing. You can spend as long as you like in each room, look at the outdoor space, check out where children eat and nap, and picture your child there, without feeling rushed.
Space to ask questions and meet staff
You'll usually have the chance to speak to several members of the team, not just the manager. Meeting the practitioners who would care for your child day to day can tell you a lot about the setting. Our nursery visit checklist covers the key questions to ask.
A chance to meet other parents
Open days are also social. You might meet other parents or parents-to-be who are at the same stage as you. For new or expecting parents, it can be reassuring to realise you're not the only one working it all out.
When should you go to a nursery open day?
Because open days are relaxed and low commitment, they're a great first step at any point in your nursery search. You don't need a shortlist, a start date or even a clear idea of what you're looking for.
Plenty of parents attend during pregnancy or in the first months after their baby arrives. Going early gives you time to compare different types of settings and get a feel for what matters to you before you need to make any decisions.
Popular nurseries can have long waiting lists, so starting early also means you'll be ready to apply when the time comes. Read our guide on when to apply for nursery
How to find nursery open days near you
Search open days on Nuuri
The easiest way to find open days near you is on Nuuri. Search nursery events in your area to see upcoming open days, taster sessions and events at local nurseries, all in one place. You can compare dates, save nurseries to your shortlist and plan your visits around your week.
Check local nurseries' socials
If a nursery you're interested in isn't on Nuuri yet, check its social media pages. Many nurseries advertise open days on Facebook and Instagram, so following local settings is a good way to stay in the loop. You can also get in touch with the nursery directly to ask when their next open day is.
Frequently asked questions
Some open days are drop-in, while others ask you to register in advance so they can plan numbers. Check the event details or contact the nursery to be sure.
Not at all. Open days are open to anyone thinking about nursery, whether you're ready to get on a wait list or just starting to think about nursery.
Yes, and many parents do. Visiting during pregnancy gives you plenty of time to compare nurseries before you need to apply, which can help at settings with long waiting lists.
Focus on the things you can't see from a website: how staff settle new children, what a typical day looks like, how they communicate with parents, how are nap times managed etc.
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