At Wood St Nursery, we understand that every child’s transition to nursery is unique. To help your child settle in, we offer a personalized settling-in process based on their needs and your circumstances.
Free Settling-In Visits
We provide 6 two-hour settling-in visits free of charge, allowing your child to adjust to nursery life before you begin paying. During these visits, your child will become familiar with the nursery, staff, and other children. After these visits, your child will gradually increase their time at nursery, starting with meals and nap times, until they’re comfortable staying for a full day.
Parent’s Role During Settling-In
During the first 6 visits, a parent or caregiver must stay with the child. We recommend being a comforting but passive presence, like reading a book or sitting quietly, so your child can observe and begin to engage. If your child is comfortable, we may suggest that parents take short breaks in a nearby room from the 4th visit onward.
Gradual Separation
When your child is ready, we’ll gradually increase the time they spend apart from you. This process typically takes about 2 weeks, but can be adjusted depending on your child’s needs. A parent or caregiver should be available to stay or return early during this time.
Personalised Support
Every child is different, and we’ll tailor the settling-in process to your child’s needs:
- Some children may need extra time or comfort objects to help with separation.
- Others may settle in quickly and can be left sooner.
We encourage parents to say goodbye briefly and hand their child to their key person, as prolonged goodbyes can be harder for children. We also advise having a consistent “ritual,” like reading a story, to make transitions smoother.
Ongoing Communication
We’ll keep you updated on your child’s progress. If needed, you can also call to check in or request a call from your child’s key person.
Our goal is to ensure your child feels comfortable and secure during this transition. We’re here to support both you and your child every step of the way.