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.
Because all children are unique, the amount of time they take to settle in can vary enormously. For example, children who have an older sibling here at New Beginnings tend to settle in quickly, as they are already familiar with the setting, and having a big brother or sister around can help if they become unsettled.
It’s vital to give each child time to settle in at their own pace, to make sure they feel welcome, safe and confident in their new environment. We understand it can be difficult for you to leave your little one for the first few weeks, so we make the transition as smooth as possible. Encouraging parents to bring their children to come along to the show around is the first step of introducing your child to the Nursery and really getting a feel for if they feel comfortable there. If you feel we are the right setting for you then once registration has been completed we will organise settling in sessions. The aim of these are to help you both feel happy and secure. Settling-in sessions last between one and three hours during which your Key Person gets to know both of you, as you fill in an ‘All about me’ form together and get to know you and your child. You can fill in details of your child’s routine, likes and interests, to help us make the transition from home to nursery a stress-free experience for you both. This is also a chance for your child to get used to being at nursery, with the added security of their mum and/or dad being there too
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.