• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header left navigation
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
    • Join Creator Network
    • Courses & Creator Toolkit
    BritMums

    BritMums

    The UK's Original Influencer Network

    • About
    • For Brands
    • Contact
    • Food & Recipes
      • Pancake Day
      • Valentine’s Day
      • Chinese New Year
      • Quick & easy
      • Midweek Meals
      • Vegetarian
      • Puddings & desserts
      • Baking
      • Sunday lunch
    • Family Travel
      • UK Travel
        • Days Out
      • Europe
      • Spain
      • Summer holidays
      • Winter holidays
    • Lifestyle
      • Mother’s Day
      • Family & Relationships
      • SEND Families & Children
      • Style
      • Health & Beauty
    • Education
      • Homeschooling
      • Back to school
    • Events
      • About Events
      • Latest News
    • Influencers
      • Advice to be a better influencer
      • Earn with BritMums Pro
      • Join! Paid projects & more
      • Twitter Chats
      • SnapHappyBritMums
      • Giveaways & Linkys
    • Search
    first day of school mother holding child's hand

    5 tips for when your child starts nursery

    Facebook0Tweet0Pin0Email0Print0LinkedIn0
    01 September 2020 by Katy WhatKatySaid

    first day of school mother holding child's hand
    It was the first day of school. Walking back down the path I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. 

    What if she cried the whole day?

    What if she wondered where I was?

    It took all my strength to keep on walking, to walk out of the gate and drive myself home. 

    But while I sat at home watching the clock, there was a little girl having the best time of her life playing dolls, playdough and trains back where I’d left her.

    Because as much as I was wishing the time away, she was ready for this day. She was ready to fly the nest and spread her wings without me there. 

    My little girl was growing up.

    What first day of nursery is like for parents

    It’s hard, isn’t it? 

    One minute you are looking down at your newborn baby and the next you are waving them goodbye as they enter the world of schooling. 

    As a parent, you want to keep your child safe and happy at all times. So handing them over to a nursery or pre-school is a huge step in a parenting journey and one that so many of us struggle with.

    How can you make the first day go smoothly?

    1. Take them for a visit

    It is so important that they see their new environment before the big day – at least once if not a few times. Show them around, point out activities and toys that you know they enjoy at home so you can refer back to them later.

    2. Talk to the staff

    If you can tell them likes and dislikes, people of importance, any allergies and anything at all that can help them to get to know your child, it will help them to settle your child in quicker.

    3. Read books

    There are so many books around this subject and they are a great way to help prepare little ones for this step. Reading about a character having a happy and successful day can help them to mentally prepare for their own big day. As a child, my favourite was Frankie’s First Day by Gordon Lingard and the girls love Starting School by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.

    4. Quick goodbyes

    As a teacher, I can tell you that quick goodbyes are always the best way to leave. As a parent, I can tell you it is extremely difficult to put them into practice. But keep a smile on your face. Tell them you will be back at the end of the session and that you love them. They will be in safe hands. 

    5. Plan a distraction for yourself

    Sitting at home watching the clock is torture, believe me. The nursery will call you with an update usually. And of course, they would always ring if there was a problem. So make a plan to see friends, even better if you are all going through it together. 

    Having seen two of my children start nursery, I can tell you they do settle and it does get easier saying goodbye. They learn so much and their confidence can soar with new friends and new experiences each week. 

    And at the end of the day, they will come out with a big smile on their face and a splatter of paint on a piece of paper for you to stick on your fridge. Best day ever.

    Have you got a little one starting nursery or pre-school? How are you feeling about it all?

    More tips, hacks and advice for starting nursery

    When is the ‘right’ time to start nursery?

    Mum & Tots Round-up: Tips for starting nursery

     

    5 tips for coping when your child starts preschool and nursery
    Pin it for later: 5 tips for coping when your child starts preschool and nursery

    About Katy WhatKatySaid

    Katy is a busy mum of 3 and blogs over at What Katy Said, sharing tips to help other mums get more organised and make more time for themselves. Starting out as a way to help others, her award nominated blog has now become her full time career and she is regularly listed as one of the top 10 baby bloggers in the UK. Connect with her over on Twitter @WhatKatySaidUK.

    • Mail
    • |
    • Web
    • |
    • Twitter
    • |
    • More Posts(21)
    Previous Post: « collage of 5 family-friendly pubs with rooms 5 great family-friendly pubs with rooms
    Next Post: Back to School: 10 tips to avoid the lunchbox rut lunchbox »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Claire

      18 September 2018 at 13:18

      My little girl started nursery last week. I can’t believe she’s growing up so quick! I was sad but she needs to develop social skills and have more stimulation. Unfortunately she came home with the worst sickness bug at the weekend!

      Reply
      • Katy (What Katy Said)

        18 September 2018 at 13:22

        I have my eldest off school today ill – there are so many bugs going around already! I hope she’s ok and the rest of the house doesn’t get it! xxx

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Inspiration

    “A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.”

    Melinda Gates

    Popular Posts

    Mother's Day gift and flowers

    36 things to give and get on Mother’s Day

    Sexism now: It’s still here

    mother kissing son on cheek

    22 ideas for celebrating Mother’s Day at home

    Copyright © 2021 · BritMums · All Rights Reserved ·

    BRITMUMS LTD. REGISTERED IN ENGLAND & WALES. REGISTRATION NUMBER 07585463. REGISTERED OFFICE: CHILTERN HOUSE, 45 STATION ROAD, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, OXON, RG9 1AT

    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!