Settling into Nursery Life
Settling In Sessions
These non-chargeable sessions that can begin up to four weeks before your child's start date, allowing time for familiarisation with their new environment. Strong relationships are crucial for a child's wellbeing, safety, and development, with attachment to a caregiver providing a secure base for exploration and learning.
New Beginnings emphasizes the role that our staff play in fostering emotional safety, starting during 'settling in' sessions, which build trust among the Key Persons within your child’s allocated room, child, and parent/carer.
How we will support you and your child
We believe that the settling-in process should take as long as you and your child need and is tailored to your child. Every child reacts differently; some will settle straight away and others will need more time and reassurance before they are ready to spend time away from you. Don’t worry, we will be there for you and your child every step of the way – we have over 20 years of experience and our colleagues are used to meeting the individual needs of each and every child.
Top tips for settling your child into nursery
Communication is key
Voice your concerns and don’t be afraid to ask questions – nursery staff are there and happy to answer any questions and queries you might have.
Don't expect too much too quickly
It’s never going to be perfect, but with good communication, the help of an experienced nursery team and a good relationship with your key worker, you can create a smooth transition together.
There may be tears
Children often get upset, especially to start with, but that isn’t necessarily a sign that something is wrong – it’s more likely their way of communicating that they don’t want you to leave. Separation anxiety and fear of strangers usually start around eight to nine months, which is not ideal considering that’s when many families start to think about starting their child in nursery.
Trust in the nursery's expertise
Nursery staff have experienced this transition numerous times. They possess the expertise to guide you, and they genuinely want both you and your baby to thrive. Pay attention to their advice and collaborate with them to discover what suits your little one best.