Settling In At New Beginnings
Starting nursery at a young age can be a stressful time for both parents and children especially as it may be the first time they have been away from you.
As practitioners we understand how difficult it is for you to leave your child with someone who you don’t know well. This is why we don’t rush our settling in visits we understand it takes time to build a relationship with practitioners and for you to feel comfortable leaving your child. All practitioners are highly skilled and know how to build attachments and connections with children, supporting and comforting them through these sometimes difficult few weeks.
It is likely that your child will experience some level of separation anxiety. This is a normal part of development for children age around 8 -14 months, however this can occur at different points in a young child’ s life. Your child may become distressed when you leave and or return this is normal and comes with a fear that you may not come back for them. We recognise that it can take up to 12 weeks for children and parents to feel fully comfortable within their new setting and new routine, however all children are individual and settle in their own time.
Hints And Tips For Settling In
It is normal for you to feel anxious, upset and even guilty for leaving your child
Bring your child’s favourite toy, comforter, dummy or blanket anything that you think your child may need to help soothe and comfort them.
When leaving your child try to stay positive and smile as you leave your child (even if you feel like crying) young children can pick up on a parents stress and anxiety.
Try to take a small step back while having a visit, let your child explore and investigate, find their own way and start to form attachments with practitioners.
Talk about nursery in a positive way; use it as something exciting and enjoyable for the children. Talk about their friends and practitioners to familiarise them with the people they will be seeing that day.
In initial visits tell the practitioners about your child, little things they do that make you laugh, how they like to be comforted, songs, toys and games they enjoy. Also discuss their dislikes; you know the most about your child it is an important part of settling in to pass this on to practitioners as it can make the process easier for children.
Try to take a small step back while having a visit, let your child explore and investigate, find their own way and start to form attachments with practitioners.
Practitioners are always keen to share information on what your child has explored and enjoyed at nursery. They are also keen to hear about what they have been up to at home, using daily diary’s, weekend and all about me forms to communicate and share our “wow” moments between ourselves.
We know that leaving your child can be a very difficult and stressful time for parents and children, it may take some time but please rest assured in the knowledge that all practitioners are highly skilled and here to help comfort and support you and your child through this process, ensuring that all children are safe, happy, stimulated and well
