How to prepare your child for nursery

The prospect of starting nursery can mean lots of questions, a few worries and possibly some tears – and that’s just you. But it’s also a very exciting time, and a great opportunity for your child to make lots of friends, play games and learn loads of new skills. We’ve made it easier with our guide to how to prepare.

A few weeks before your child starts, talk to them about going to nursery. Tell them they’re going to meet lots of other children and chat about all the new toys they’ll be able to play with.

If they’re a bit anxious, a book is a great way to open up conversations about what they’ll get up to when they’re there. They’re also good for learning about taking turns; saying please and thank you, and – most importantly – learning the words to nursery rhymes so they’re ready to rock when the music starts.

A typical day at nursery is guaranteed to feature at least two of the following: paint, water, sand and pasta sauce. So it’s wise to pack a few changes of clothes – think a couple of tops, two pairs of trousers, spare underwear and socks. These stick-on name labels are useful to stop items going walkabout. Pop it all in a backpack on their peg – oh, and be sure to stock up on stain remover at home. 

It’s also a good idea to get them a drinks bottle so they can top up on water whenever they like. Some nurseries ask children to bring a packed lunch – a thermal lunchbox like this one will keep everything cool. 

Some children find it comforting to take a familiar toy or blanket with them for the first few days – if your child doesn’t have one, you could let them choose a new toy to take with them. That way, they’ll have a new friend to keep them company on their first day.

If your child uses dummies, make sure you have plenty of spares to give their key worker for naptime or in case they need a bit of quiet time.

If you’re rushing from home to nursery to work, a buggy or scooter will help you on your way. When it comes to buggies, go for something lightweight and easy to store – no one wants to wrestle an entire travel system into the shed when there’s a train to catch.

The Joie Nitro and Silver Cross Pop are both umbrella strollers, which means they fold down to next to nothing. If your little one is more intrepid, a scooter or balance bike might be a better bet. The Mini Micro scooter is lightweight and easy to steer, and for younger children who won’t want to stand the whole way, the new Mini Micro Trike is a great option – it also folds to save space. And finally: don’t worry. They’ll make lots of little friends and have a great time.

Image: Getty Images