How long does it take to settle a One-year-old into nursery? 

As you visit childcare settings and prepare your child/ren for nursery, you may find yourself wondering how long it will take to settle a one-year-old into nursery. The first few weeks at nursery can be a tricky time for many children and carers, whether this is something completely new or they are moving from a previous provider. There is a lot we can do to make this transition easier, and much of it is down to communication, relationship building, and careful planning.

Supporting Your Child’s Nursery Transition: Tips and Strategies

As a childcare provider at our day nursery, creating a friendly and inviting space for children to explore is paramount. We aim for children to feel safe, secure, and, most importantly, at home while in our care. Every child is unique, so the time it takes to settle a one-year-old into our nursery can vary due to numerous factors. Building relationships with the children is essential, as it helps them feel secure and happy, allowing them to thrive. Understanding each child’s individual background and routine is crucial for us as providers, as it enables us to prepare them for this transition. Some children might have comforters like a favourite rhyme they sing at home or a cherished blanket or toy, which we incorporate to ease their settling process.
So, the first step into transition and settling in is, of course, building a relationship with key people as a family. Help us to understand the best methods we can use to help settle and soothe your little ones. Settling in sessions is a fantastic way for practitioners to build relationships with new children. This allows children to feel safe in new spaces alongside their carer.

Considerations for Supporting Your Child’s Transition

We have seen some children who settle in instantly and are noticeably confident and some who just need that little bit more time to build on those new relationships and spaces. We have lots of methods and tips on how to support your child through this transition period and can guide you all the way. Things to take into consideration when settling your child into a new setting. Learning your child’s routine and structure helps. Having mealtimes and activities at set times helps children learn what to expect and when. Ask your nursery what they do and when so that you can mirror this at home to help your child feel confident and secure. Talk about your child’s interests, likes and dislikes. Stay calm at drop-off times, ensuring the children are kept feeling safe and secure, ready for the separation from their parents.

In our baby room, we ensure a nice, relaxing environment where children can settle and soothe with key people. We enjoy calming music, books, and a small basket with comforters for the children to explore. We also love to sing our favourite rhymes in this space and use our knowledge of children’s favourite rhymes discussed upon settling in sessions.

Within the setting, we showcase fantastic partnerships with parents by remaining friendly, positive, and professional. We understand that for any child to feel settled and secure, we need to ensure the parents have the same views and feelings towards such a big step in their child’s life.

Some tips to help with the settling in of your one-year-old into the nursery

• Remain calm at the time you separate and leave your child
• Be excited and happy about the nursery when dropping off
• Make sure the transition from you to the practitioner is not too long and that it is always a positive transition
• Greeting nursery staff by name, reassuring your child
• Use things from home to help with soothing your child. Some children even have a blanket with the scents of their parents on. Something like this can help with settling your child and having things from somewhere they are safe and comfortable.
• Always remain positive during the transition period
• Working together alongside the practitioner/key person to ensure a smooth transition
• And most of all, enjoy the moment of collecting your child and finding out all the amazing things they have been doing.

As you visit childcare settings and prepare your child/ren for nursery, you may find yourself wondering how long it will take to settle a one-year-old into nursery. The first few weeks at nursery can be a tricky time for many children and carers, whether this is something completely new or they are moving from a previous provider. There is a lot we can do to make this transition easier, and much of it is down to communication, relationship building, and careful planning.

We understand that choosing the right nursery for your child is a significant decision, and we are here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions, would like to schedule a visit, or learn more about how we can help settle a one-year-old into nursery, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Angels by Day. Our dedicated team is eager to assist you and ensure a smooth transition for your little one into our nurturing environment. Contact us today, and let’s embark on this exciting journey together.