Top Tips to Help Your Child Settle at Nursery

At Little Adventures Nursery, we understand that starting nursery is a big step — not just for your child, but for you too. It’s completely normal for both parents and children to feel a mix of excitement and nerves. While some little ones run straight in without a backward glance, others may need more reassurance. The good news? There are lots of practical ways you can help make the transition smooth and positive.

Why Settling In Matters

The early days at nursery lay the foundation for how your child feels about childcare and learning. A calm, supportive start helps your child:
• Build trust with their new key person.
• Feel safe and secure in an unfamiliar environment.
• Gain confidence to explore, play, and learn.
And let’s be honest — when your child feels settled, you’ll feel more settled too.

1. Start with Short Visits

Most nurseries offer settling-in sessions before your child’s official start date. Here at Little Adventures Nursery we offer 2 free half day sessions to allow your child to adapt to our nursery environment. These short visits allow your child to explore while you stay nearby, then gradually try independent stays.

  • Usually these visits will begin with time together in the room. We get parents to complete an all about me form so we can fully understand your child before you leave them in our care. 
  • We’d then recommend that you leave the nursery to have some time to yourself to allow your child to start to get used to being in the nursery. We’ll support you and your child during this to ensure this journey is tailored to individual needs. 
  • Work up to a short morning or afternoon session without you.

These mini experiences help your child build familiarity with the environment and people.

2. Talk About Nursery at Home

Children understand more than we sometimes think. In the lead-up to starting:

  • Read books about nursery, such as Maisy Goes to Nursery or Harry and the Dinosaurs Go to School.
  • Role-play with teddies or dolls — “Teddy is putting his bag on his peg, now he’s having snack time.”
  • Walk past the nursery building together so it feels familiar.

This helps your child see nursery as a safe, exciting part of life.

3. Keep Goodbyes Short and Positive

It’s tempting to linger if your child is upset, but long or emotional goodbyes often make separation harder. Instead:

  • Be calm, confident, and upbeat — children mirror your emotions.
  • Use a consistent phrase: “Have a lovely day, I’ll see you after snack time.”
  • Avoid sneaking out — it can break trust.

It may feel tough in the moment, but a quick, reassuring goodbye usually leads to faster settling.

4. Bring a Comfort from Home

Something familiar can make a big difference. Depending on your nursery’s policy, you might send:

  • A special blanket or muslin.
  • A favourite teddy.
  • A family photo in their bag.

These small comforts act like a bridge between home and nursery, helping your child feel safe.

5. Build a Strong Connection with the Nursery Team

Your child’s key person will be their anchor — someone who cuddles them when they’re upset and celebrates their achievements. Building trust with this person is vital.

  • Share your child’s likes, dislikes, and routines in detail during the initial all about me discussion.
  • Let them know about any worries or recent changes at home. Discuss how both you and your child are feeling about starting your nursery journey as this will enable them to support you in the best way. 
  • Ask how they’ll update you — whether via an app, daily chats, or progress reports.

When you work in partnership, your child feels supported from every angle.

6. Expect Ups and Downs

It’s common for children to seem fine for the first few days, then wobble once they realise nursery is a regular part of life. That’s normal. With consistency and support, they will settle.

Remember: every child is different. Some need a few weeks, others a few months. What matters is gentle encouragement and a predictable routine.

7. Take Care of Yourself Too

Parents often underestimate how emotional the transition can be for them. It’s OK to feel teary after drop-off — you’re not alone. Stay connected with the nursery team, lean on friends or family, and remind yourself why you chose nursery: to give your child opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.

Key Takeaway

Settling at nursery is a journey, not a one-off event. With short visits, positive goodbyes, familiar comforts, and a strong relationship with the nursery team, your child will soon feel safe and happy in their new environment. It’s a partnership and one you should feel fully supported on. 

👉 Tip for parents: Ask your nursery about what settling-in looks like in their setting so you know exactly what to expect and how you can work together to support your child.

Enquire and book a tour of our nurseries to find out how we can support you with this journey here at Little Adventures Nurseries.