Getting Your Child Emotionally Ready for Nursery

Being pregnant is a massive milestone in any parent’s life. As you look towards your maternity leave, the thought of your baby starting nursery may seem far away. However, before you know it, your leave will come to an end, and you’ll be preparing for your baby’s first day at nursery.

We cannot emphasise enough the importance of registering your interest at your chosen nursery as soon as possible. Good nurseries often have waiting lists of over 12 months.

But how do you ensure your child is ready for nursery?

Acknowledge Your Feelings

Having a baby is naturally a highly emotional time. You’ll experience a tricky combination of joy at welcoming your newborn and the challenges of sleepless nights and fluctuating hormones. As your maternity or paternity leave draws to a close, feelings of heightened emotion and anxiety about leaving your baby in someone else’s care are completely normal.

Parents should never feel embarrassed about the anxiety that often accompanies this time. Your family is facing a significant change, and feeling upset or concerned is a natural part of the process.

Tackling Separation Anxiety

During the first 9–12 months of your child’s life, you are likely their primary carer and the person they feel most attached to. Separation anxiety typically develops between 6 months and 3 years, a normal part of child development. Your baby may cry when you leave the room or become upset when held by someone else.

If your child experiences separation anxiety, you might find it difficult to leave them at nursery. Here are some steps you can take to support them:

• Begin with short separations, such as leaving your child with a trusted family member for a short period.
• Encourage your child to play independently in another room while you remain nearby.
• Provide a comforter, such as a dummy, teddy, or blanket, to reassure them.
• Make goodbyes a positive experience by smiling and waving. Babies often pick up on negative emotions like tension or anxiety, so staying upbeat can help them feel more secure.

Ratios: From 1:1 to 1:3

At home, your baby may be used to receiving one-on-one attention. However, nursery environments are different, with ratios in place to ensure all children are cared for equally. For the youngest children, this ratio is 1:3.

Most babies adapt well to this change, as they are naturally curious and enjoy exploring new environments. However, children who have only been cared for by their primary carer may take longer to settle.

It’s important for parents to understand that nursery staff care for multiple children simultaneously, so encouraging a level of independence at home can help prepare your child for this transition.

Sleeping Patterns

Maintaining your baby’s sleep routine at nursery is vital for a smooth transition. While nursery teams will support existing routines, some adjustments may be necessary.

At home, your child may sleep alone in a quiet space or even on you. At nursery, children often sleep in shared spaces, which can be an adjustment. To help prepare for this:

• Encourage your child to sleep in a cot or bed if they don’t already.
• Introduce a comforter to help them settle in their new surroundings.

Children must be able to sleep in a cot or on a mat at nursery before their start date. Supporting this transition at home can make settling in much easier.

Comforters

Comforters can provide children with a sense of security as they transition into nursery life. At Tommies Childcare, we encourage the use of comforters and recommend:

• Dummies: Reassuring for younger children, dummies can help with settling. For children over 12 months, we suggest reserving dummies for sleep times.
• Blankets or Cuddly Toys: If your child has a favourite item, consider purchasing a duplicate to leave at nursery, avoiding any issues if the original is left behind.

Breastfeeding

If you’re breastfeeding, you can supply breastmilk for your child at nursery. However, children must take milk from a bottle while in our care. Introducing a bottle at home before your child starts nursery can help ease this transition.

Settling-In Sessions

At Tommies Childcare, we offer unlimited settling-in sessions to give you and your child as much time as needed to feel comfortable. Our settling-in process may differ from other nurseries, so we encourage parents to allocate enough time for this important step.

While some children settle quickly, others may take several weeks. Patience and open communication with your child’s Key Worker will ensure a smoother transition.

Routine

We aim to work closely with parents to make the transition from home to nursery as seamless as possible. Sharing information about your child’s preferences, habits, and needs will help us create a nurturing and supportive environment during their first weeks.

If you found this blog helpful, you may also enjoy: “How Long Should It Take to Settle Into a Nursery?”