Sending your little one to nursery is a highly emotional journey for most parents. If your child has been looked after by you or your family from the very earliest moments of their life, it can be a nerve-wracking experience handing them over to another adult and leaving them in their care for the first time. A young child will also feel the sense of separation and that can lead to some very challenging moments. However, soon enough, most little ones will get used to their new environment, form connections and bonds with their new carers and feel safe and secure in their home away from home.
In this blog, we explore some of the questions that parents have around sending their child to nursery and hope that it can provide some help with these difficult decisions.
In the UK, babies can go to nursery from as early as six weeks, but most parents will wait a little longer. For example, it’s not uncommon to hold off on sending your child to nursery until one or both parents return to work after parental leave, when the child is around nine to 12 months old. Some nurseries in the UK provide assisted payment for places from the age of two years, and then more children receive assisted payment from the age of three until they reach school age at four.
The earlier a child goes to nursery the more care they will need, so if you need to seek additional care for your child from an early age, the nursery will need to have the correct trained professionals in place. For example, very young children may need to be fed from a bottle and may need extra support with their sleep needs. Make sure to check that the nurseries in your area can provide the support your child needs before making a decision.
Competition for nursery places is fierce, so it’s well worth looking for places and visiting nurseries in your area well before you need a place. You might have to join a waiting list, and the more nurseries you visit, the more likely you will be to find one that is the best fit for you and your little one.
Nursery is not compulsory for children in the UK, and no parent should feel pressured to send their child to nursery if they do not feel that their family is ready to take that step. However, there is assisted payment for 30 hours per week at nursery for most children from the age of three, to help children transition from the home environment and prepare them for entering school at the age of four. This can help support you if financing childcare is proving difficult.
If you are debating whether nursery is suitable for your little one, then there are a few notable benefits to taking advantage of the free hours at nursery. It will give your child the opportunity to socialise with other children ahead of school and become familiar with the hustle and bustle of a busy class environment. Nurseries will also help your child to develop skills that will prepare them for school, such as independently dressing themselves, using cutlery, following instructions, being part of a conversation and playing collaboratively.
Nurseries are very committed to ensuring children have lots of fresh air and exercise, which is vital to healthy development in toddlers and can be hard to manage at home if you’re busy with other responsibilities.
Nurseries will also show children the benefits of sharing with others and taking care of each other, focusing on kindness and having fun together as a unit. Nurseries will listen to the needs of your child and ensure that the daily routine within their setting is suitable so that your child’s needs are met.
Nursery can be an exciting rite of passage for children as well as an enriching experience for the whole family, and there is nothing like collecting them after their first day and seeing the joy on their face as they recognise you. The nursery will always give you a run-down of their day, what they ate, when they slept and any exciting activities or achievements. Soon enough your little one will be socialising and making new friends, some who they might move up to pre-school or school with.
When you decide to take the plunge, we’re here to help in other ways. Our collection of fun and vibrant wellies are ideal for nursery with their flexible soles and soft leathers, and we have a collection of that will keep your little one warm and dry throughout the harsher winter months.
Once your child has experienced nursery, then they will be more prepared for the big step into school. Read more about this next exciting stage in our blog, 'Is my child ready for school?'
