Guidance on the First Month and Settling In

At The Green Door Nursery we recognise separation can sometimes be more difficult for parents than for the child and can make for an anxious time. When children start at the nursery it is often a first experience of separation from a parent/carer and so there is little way of really knowing how a child may respond to being away from home and you until we begin the process.

Of equal importance during the settling in process is building up a relationship of trust with a new parent as well as getting to know your child. So we can get off to the best start possible we ask parents to follow our guidance and talk about this with you when you come for the induction visit. We also write up a simple settling in plan for the first days at the nursery where you are also able to say how you wish to proceed.

We recommend two half day sessions to begin with and you are able to book more than two sessions if you wish. This is arranged with you at the induction visit and forms part of the settling in plan. Some parents choose to go straight in to the booking without sessions so don’t worry too much about making the right decision. We are always able to settle your child and in the event your child was to become increasingly distressed over the course of any session/day we would always telephone you and let you know. It is only natural a child will be a little distressed and unsure about the nursery in the first few days and this is to be expected although please remember the well being of your child is always of paramount importance to us. Please be assured, therefore, we will always let you know if they are not happy and need to go home.

So we have our settling in plan to start with and now it is your child’s first day to be left. We are now able to start the process of getting to know them and seeing how they respond to being at the nursery. From this we assess and further develop the settling in plan with you on a day to day basis as needed. Usually, by about the third or fourth day at the nursery, most children will have made some good progress and after one month will be fully settled. Sleeping can sometimes take a little longer to achieve with some children. Occasionally, when a child is experiencing a lot of difficulty we may ask you to remain on sessions before progressing to days if it is felt in their best interest.

Most children start at the nursery at around twelve months although the guidance given on the reverse of this page is intended for all children of all ages. This information has been compiled from our considerable experience in settling in children simply on the basis of what we have observed to work well. To help new parents the webcam is given free of charge for the first month. Please remember once your child is settled you can come and go more freely although it is important to still follow a routine about coming to the nursery and also ongoing remaining positive is one of the most important things to help your child progress through both the nursery and life.

Things that Work

Six or more four hour sessions, close together, over the course of two weeks will enable your child to build up a good memory of the nursery as opposed to the same number of sessions with gaps in attendance over a longer period.

Be consistent in everything you do about coming to the nursery each day.

Repeat the same pattern of coming and going to quickly bring about familiarity for your child of their new surroundings and learn that separation from you is only temporary.

Recognition of the Keyworker as someone who looks after them and cares about them.

Be positive in everything you do even if you feel a little upset or anxious when you leave your child.

Smile. Even babies and very young children understand most things you will say. It is better to discuss concerns you may have outside of the room where your child cannot hear you.

Do

• come at the same time each day
• come early, at around 9.00am or when your child is not too tired.
• come in to the room and hand your child to their Keyworker, the person who welcomes you, giving any information they may need about how your child has been since last coming to the Nursery
• stay only for a brief time when coming in the morning, no more than five or ten minutes unless otherwise arranged at the induction visit
• let your child know you are leaving, say goodbye.
• stay in the hallway and wait there until your child stops crying if they become upset when you leave the room.
• telephone the nursery to find out how your child is managing

Don't

• Return to the room if your child begins to cry or reach out for you after you have said goodbye and begin to leave
• Try to trick your child and sneak out without saying goodbye
• Stay in the room for longer than five or ten minutes when handing over your child in the morning
• Say things like, ‘I think she/he is going to cry’ or ‘She/he doesn’t eat anything’ or ‘he/she is a bad sleeper’
• Bring your child to nursery if they have a high temperature or appear unwell in any way
• Bring your child to nursery if they have diarrhoea or vomiting