When your child starts day nursery, it could be the first time they’ve spent much time away from you and your home. You may be worried. What if they don’t like it? What if it’s too soon for them?
It’s a part of growing up and will help prepare them for the school system. It will also lay the foundation for healthy life skills.
Even if you’re aware of the benefits and know you can’t hold onto them forever, it doesn’t make it any less daunting. Below we’ve listed some tips to help you make this big change feel a bit calmer for you and your little one.
Avoid changing routines at home
Starting day nursery is a big change for you and your child. By keeping the routine at home as normal as possible, this will help offset the big change of starting school. It could make your child feel emotional and physically tired. They will soon learn to adapt. But some children may take longer than others, and that’s fine.
Find a nursery with a flexible settling in policy
Each day nursery will have its own settling in policy. Finding a nursery that is flexible and works to meet your individual family needs can really help. It’s a big transition, and being able to do it your way can make the change feel gentler for the whole family.
You should be able to book a tour of the nursery before you enrol your child.
Each child will usually be assigned a key person. You will have plenty of opportunities to discuss your child’s routines and family dynamic with them.
Arrange shorter visits
To suddenly spend an entire day in a new location with children and adults that your child is not familiar with can be daunting. That’s why many day nurseries will offer short visits for the first two weeks, just to help your child settle in. Once they’ve started to build a bond with their key person and feel more comfortable, they can begin their full sessions.
Treat your child as an individual
All children are different. While there are common behavioural and developmental patterns, your child will still have their own unique personality traits, experiences and background. That’s why finding a nursery that spends time getting to know your child is important.
Find a supportive community
As a parent, you can seek support from friends and family. You may know supportive people who have already been through the process. They will be able to share their experiences and reassure you.
Looking for a compassionate day nursery?
At First Steps Day Nursery in Peterborough, we understand that children are more likely to thrive and feel comfortable if they’re treated as individuals. We won’t place expectations on your child and our team will take the greatest care to help your child feel at home when they join our nursery. We’ll ensure both you and your child have the support they need to make this transition run smoothly.
