Starting nursery
Settling your child into nursery
Small steps that help your child feel at home, and make drop-offs happier for you both.
The short version
- Ask about settling-in sessions before the first full day.
- Keep goodbyes short and the same each time.
- Tell the nursery about changes at home.
Build a little familiarity
Keep goodbyes simple
- Agree a routine with the teamThe same short goodbye each time.
- Say you're leaving and coming backDon't slip out while they're distracted.
- Go, and let the team helpSome children settle quickly. Others need more time.
Make space to reconnect
Leave a little quiet time after nursery. Ask what your child enjoyed and use it to start a conversation. They may be tired while they adjust, so gentle evenings help.
Keep talking with the nursery
Keep reading
Starting nursery, 3 min readWhen should your child start nursery?There's no single right age. How to think about timing, work, funding and your child's readiness.
Choosing a nursery, 6 min readWhat to look for in a nurseryHow to compare nurseries before you visit, what to watch for when you're there, and the questions worth asking.
Choosing a nursery, 5 min readHow to read a nursery's Ofsted reportWhat Ofsted's grades mean, how report cards changed in November 2025 and what to look for in a nursery's report.