Preparing Your Child for Nursery

Sending your child to nursery for the first time is often just as daunting for parents as it is for children. You’ll want to make the transition as smooth as possible so you both feel confident and prepared when the big day rolls around. Luckily, a nursery school in London has shared their top tips on how to prepare your little one for their first day at nursery. 

Get to Know the Staff 

Making the most of introductory sessions and nursery visits will give you the opportunity to introduce your child to the people who will be looking after them. This is likely to be the first time you will have left your child in the care of someone outside of your family or friendship circle. Getting to know the staff beforehand will ensure that your child will recognise a friendly face on their first day, making the whole experience less distressing. This will also give you the opportunity to ask questions and share relevant information about your child, putting your mind at ease too. 

Get Talking 

You should discuss nursery with your child frequently before they attend to ensure they are prepared for the change and know what to expect. Focus on using language which makes nursery sound like a fun, safe and exciting environment. Tell them about the activities that will be available, and perhaps even show them photos from the nursery’s brochure or website so they can visualise it more clearly. There are also children’s books available which focus on the topic of nursery, which may be a useful tool for familiarising your child with what is to come. 

Connect with Others 

If you know someone whose child is due to attend your child’s nursery, reach out and organise a play date. If you don’t already know someone, try and connect with other parents at introductory visits or open days. Not only will this ensure your child has familiar children to play with on their first day, it will also provide you with a support network on hand to empathise with the difficult emotions you may be feeling at this time.