Top tips for getting ready to start nursery

“Sometimes we’d take a wee wander past the childminder's on the way to the shops or a friend’s house, it was great if the kids were all out playing as he got to see them all having fun and being with their friends. It got him excited about starting there.” 

“If we were reading a story or watching something on TV together, that had a character in a nursery, I’d point out the fun things they were doing, and chat about all the things to do there.”

"Even if you are feeling nervous, it’s good to show your child you’re feeling really positive about their first day. Try not to show them your nerves - it might make them feel worried about starting."

"Asking your wee one’s key worker or childminder any questions you have before they start can really help put your mind at rest."

"I got my Mum or Dad to take my wee one out for a couple of hours now and again, in the run up to him starting playgroup, just to get him used to the idea that when I dropped him off, I always came back! And that he could have a lovely time with other people too!"

Most providers will help you to organise some settling in days/a week to introduce your child to their keyworker and where they’ll be spending their time. This could be as short as an hour or two, and working up to a morning/afternoon or a whole day. They’ll usually advise as to how well they’re doing and how long they think you can be away for.

Even if you are feeling nervous about the first drop off, try not to show it. Instead, try to be excited and happy so that your toddler will be as well.

On your way to drop off, chat to your wee one about all the fun things they might be doing that day. You could also try talking about what you’ll do when you come to pick them up at the end of the day, that way you’re reassuring them you will be back!

"If I know my son’s having a clingy day and feeling nervous, I’ll play wee games with him along the way, just to take his mind off it and get him in a better mood. Even just i-spy, spot the buses, look for red cars, and he’s usually in a better mood when he arrives."

It's never easy getting out the house in the morning, so getting as much ready as you can the night before, can make for a less stressful morning.

"It was really hard to do in the early days, but my daughter’s key worker suggested that I give her a big hug and kiss, tell her I’d be back at 4 o'clock, say bye bye with a smile on my face, and then leave. If she cried my instinct was to want to stay with her till she stopped, but me being there usually meant she just got clingier. So I just stayed outside for a minute or two and could see through the window that she was totally fine after a few minutes!"

“I thought my twin girls would really struggle settling into nursery as they were both only two years old...and weren’t really speaking. But they really surprised me and took to it so well, and within about a month were starting to speak in sentences!”

“My kids barely look back at me when I drop them off – they’re so excited to get into their favourite activities and be with their friends.  I wish I could have seen them as they are now when they were first starting, it would have reassured me so much!”

“I love that they get the opportunity to try new foods, and there’s definitely loads of things that my wee boy has eaten at his childminder's (and liked!) that he wouldn’t have even gone near at home.”

“I’ve found that just having an extra couple of hours a day to catch up with piles of washing/dishes/food shopping has meant that the time I have with my kids is much more fun, as I’m not stressing about all the other stuff I still need to do.”

“I’ve found that being with their childminder has given them more structure to their day, and that they’re better at understanding and following rules – I think they like that they know where they stand.”

“I love it when they come home and tell me a random fact that I just wouldn’t have thought they’d know age 3. Or when they bring home a piece of artwork that they’re so proud of – it’s a good way to get them talking about what they’ve been doing and learning.”