For families
Settling your child into nursery: a gentle plan for the first two weeks
The first weeks of nursery are new for everyone, you included. Most children settle within a few weeks when the start is gradual and the goodbyes are short and warm.
Before the first day
Visit together at least once. Talk about the school at home in simple words: who will be there, what they will play, and that you will always come back.
Share what helps your child: how they fall asleep, their words for the toilet, the foods they love and the comforter they cannot do without.
A gentle first two weeks
- Days 1 to 3: a short stay, with you nearby for part of it.
- Days 4 to 6: a longer stay, with a short, clear goodbye.
- Week two: a full day, with a familiar person at pick-up.
- All along: the same goodbye words every time, then leave.
About tears at drop-off
Crying when you leave is normal and usually stops soon after. Sneaking away tends to make the next goodbye harder; a quick hug and “See you after your nap” works better.
Ask the school how your child was ten minutes after you left. Many schools will tell you, and seeing that your child is playing makes the next morning easier for both of you.
Hearing how it is going
In the early weeks, small updates help most: when they ate, when they slept, a photo of them playing. If your school uses toddlepath, you see these through the day on your phone, so you are not waiting until pick-up to know how it went.