How to prepare your child for nursery

With our long history dating back to 1792, we've seen countless little ones take their first steps into the big wide world. And if there's one journey we've learned a lot about, it's the transition to nursery.

Far more than just a change of environment, it marks the beginning of your child's independence, learning and socialisation away from the home. Sometimes it can be scarier for you as the adult than your little one! But whatever the case, we’re here to help the journey go smoothly.

How to prepare your baby for nursery

Every child is different, and nobody knows better than you how to care for your little one. From bringing along comforting toys and blankets to building habits to prepare them for the new setting, it’s important that you adapt the advice you’re given to suit your child - even if that’s a process of trial and error as you both get used to the changing times.

With that in mind, we’ve detailed some tips and tricks below to help you and your little one prepare for the transition to nursery - feel free to pick and choose what you think might prove effective.

Learn more about your nursery of choice

Entering nursery is a milestone filled with mixed emotions for both children and parents. Understanding the nursery's specific policies is the first step to a smooth transition. For instance, some nurseries can cater for children that aren’t yet potty-trained, while others can’t. This can significantly affect your choice of nursery, and it's these small details that can guide your decision-making process, ensuring that you find the perfect fit for your little one.

Every nursery has its own ethos, practices and expectations. Taking the time to visit, ask questions and observe how the carers interact with the children can give you a clearer picture of what to expect. It’s all about finding a place that aligns with your expectations and where you feel confident your child will be nurtured and happy.

Ask your peers and arrange playdates with similarly aged children

Arranging playdates with peers of similar age is an integral step in nurturing your child's social skills, essential for nursery. These gatherings offer a safe space for children to learn communication, sharing and the joy of friendship, vital in preparing them for the nursery environment. It’s even better if you can arrange a playdate or two with other children who will be at your nursery of choice, as this gives your little one a friendly face to look for from the start.

Additionally, seeking advice from local friends or connecting with other parents whose children are attending the same nursery can provide insights and further ease the transition for your little one.

By embracing these social opportunities, you support your child's journey towards independence and self-confidence, whilst reassuring yourself that your child is well on the way to settling into nursery school life and ready for their next big step.

Get into a routine for leaving the house and parting with your child

Routines provide children with a sense of security and predictability. Establishing a “leaving the house” routine can ease the separation process, helping your child to understand that, while goodbyes are part of the day, reunions are too.

Get the day off to a great start for little ones with this cheerful and simple routine:

1. Rise & Shine: Gently wake your child.

2. Light Up the Room: Flip the light switch, draw back the curtains and welcome the bright new day.

3. Sparkle and Clean: Embed the habit of washing and brushing into their daily self-care routine.

4. Dress for Success: Help your little one get dressed, preferably into an outfit you chose together the night before to prepare for the morning.

5. Snack & Pack: Together, choose a healthy snack and pop it into their bag, ready for a day of discovery.

With each step, you're building a routine as reliable as Start-Rite's support for their growing steps.

Begin practising skills

While nurseries don’t expect your child to arrive fully equipped with academic skills and have mastered every development milestone, introducing them to basics like learning to dress themselves and sitting at a table at mealtimes can foster a sense of confidence and independence.

And, speaking of dressing, we understand the importance of those first steps towards independence; our guide to teaching kids to tie shoe laces and selecting their first walking shoes are designed to help your child on their learning journey, ensuring they feel supported, literally and metaphorically, as they step into this new chapter. Plus, with our packing guide for nursery, you can be sure they head off for their first day with everything they need.

The C.H.I.L.D.S. Play Way

At Start-Rite, we understand the excitement and the little butterflies that come with preparing your child for nursery school. It's a big step for your little one, and we're here to help make that transition as smooth and joyous as possible with our C.H.I.L.D.S. Play steps to a smooth transition:

• C is for Chatting: Help your little one learn to communicate their needs and feelings. It's all about making them feel heard and safe, ready to make friends and thrive in their new environment.
• H is for Hand-Eye Coordination: Encourage colouring-in time and puzzles and turn these into fun learning moments that develop little hands and eyes ready for all the exciting tasks ahead.
• I is for Independence: There's magic in watching them pull up their own trousers or choose their shoes for the day. Encouraging such acts of independence sparks confidence and an "I can do it!" spirit.
• L is for Learning: Turn everyday adventures into learning opportunities. Whether it's a walk in the park naming the colours and objects you spot or learning basic numbers and letters, these experiences are the building blocks to help your child at nursery.
• D is for Development: From running races to climbing frames, every hop, skip and jump fuels their physical development and confidence. This technique is about strengthening those little legs and big hearts for the exciting adventures ahead.
• S is for Social Skills and Self-Care: Teaching the magic words like "please" and "thank you," alongside the importance of washing hands and tidying up prepares them for meaningful interactions and taking pride in their independence and well-being.
• Play is for PLAY! Nothing compares to the joy and exploration found in play. It's through this language of fun that children discover the world, learn anew and develop all the essential skills. Play is truly at the heart of every child's growing story.

Remember, every small step forward is a big leap in their development, so let's make every step count together.

For more guidance and to discover the perfect footwear for your nursery-bound explorer, take a look at our other blogs, including Is my child ready for school, When can my child start nursery, and Helping your child develop – pre-school.

Author: Vista, published 16-01-2025.