16 March 2026

How We Settle Children at Our Nursery

Starting nursery is a significant milestone for both children and parents. It is often the first time a child spends time away from their family in a new environment, with new adults and routines. At our nursery, we recognise that settling is not a single event but a carefully supported process. At its core, settling is about transferring the trust a child has with their parent to their nursery teacher. This can be emotional, challenging, and sometimes overwhelming, but with the right approach, it becomes a positive and empowering experience for everyone involved.

A crucial part of a successful settling process is the confidence and positivity of parents. Children are incredibly perceptive and will often mirror the emotions of the adults around them. When parents speak positively about nursery, show confidence during drop-offs, and trust the process, children are more likely to feel secure. Preparing children ahead of time can also make a huge difference. Exposing them to different environments such as playgroups, music classes, or toddler groups, and gradually building short periods of separation, helps children develop independence and confidence. These experiences allow children to practise trusting new people and coping with new situations in a safe and supported way.

At our setting, we usually settle children at the start of each term. This can mean welcoming anything from three or four new children to as many as twenty at one time. While this is an exciting period, it can also be demanding for both children and staff. To support this, we carefully stagger start dates and times where possible. This allows children to settle into the environment gradually and ensures our teachers have the time and space to build meaningful relationships with each child and their family.

Each child is allocated a key person who plays a vital role in the settling process. This practitioner takes time to build a relationship not only with the child but also with the parent, who may initially stay in the setting. However, while the key person is central to this transition, we also recognise the importance of flexibility and teamwork. Sometimes a child naturally connects more easily with a different member of staff, and in those moments, it is essential that the team adapts. Open communication and collaboration ensure that the child’s emotional needs always come first.

Setting clear expectations with parents before the settling process begins is incredibly important. Once parents are in the setting, we regularly check in with them, explaining what we need from them and why. Parents are encouraged to stay in one place within the room so their child always knows where they are, while still allowing the child the freedom to explore independently. This creates opportunities for teachers to engage with the child through play, laying the foundations for a trusting relationship.

As a child’s confidence grows, we begin to introduce short periods of separation. This might start with just ten minutes, perhaps with the parent stepping into another room, gradually building up to the parent leaving for a longer period. Tears can be a natural part of this process for many children, and when they happen, they offer an important opportunity for teachers to comfort and reassure the child, strengthening that new bond of trust. In the early days, it is always important that children leave on a positive note. This may mean shortening a session and having the parent collect their child earlier than planned. Flexibility, awareness, and responsiveness are key.

Early years education is incredibly special for many reasons, but one of the most important is that it may be the first time a parent entrusts their child to someone outside of their family. A nursery must approach this with empathy, understanding, and professionalism. A great nursery takes the lead in guiding families through this transition, ensuring that children feel safe, valued, and confident, creating positive memories at the very start of their education journey.