Sending your child off to nursery for the first time can be scary – after all, it’s likely to be the first time you will have been apart on a regular basis since they were born! Therefore, it’s a good idea to prepare both yourself and your little one for this new experience before their start date arrives.
From potty training to socialisation, there is a wide range of things you can do to ensure that your child is well-equipped to start baby nursery or toddler nursery. Here are just a few top tips on how to get your child daycare-ready from the experts here at Little Acorns Day Nursery.
Get them socialising
Being thrust into a setting with a lot of new people can be a shock to the system for your child, particularly if they aren’t used to being around strangers or children their own age. Baby or toddler nursery groups are often full of parents and children who are in the same boat, so try not to worry that your little one will struggle to socialise – the nursery staff know exactly how to deal with this.
However, you can take little steps to make your child feel more comfortable mixing with new adults and with children their own age. For example, you could take them to baby groups from a young age or even just encourage them to play with other children at the park. This will provide them with the basic interaction skills they need to socialise with the other children at their nursery.
Practice makes perfect
There are plenty of things that you can do at home to prepare your child for having a little more responsibility and learning new skills, which is what nursery will do. For instance, you can try to master potty training so that they are able to manage by themselves by the time they start nursery.
You could also start asking them to complete little tasks around the house, such as taking their cups and plates to the kitchen, tidying up their own toys, and sharing their belongings and personal space. This will help them to gain some independence and take responsibility for their actions for when they begin nursery.
Stay calm
While this is a nerve-wracking experience for both you and your child, you need to put on a brave face for the sake of your little one. Children learn by mirroring behaviours and emotions that they witness in their parents or other adults in their lives. This means that, in new or unnerving situations, they will take their behavioural and emotional cues from you.
Therefore, when you take them to their first day of nursery, you should try your best to remain calm and encouraging. They are far less likely to be nervous or scared about starting nursery if they see that you are not worried.
Are you looking for a nursery for your child? Little Acorns Day Nursery is a great choice for those based in Southampton. Our empathetic team is committed to helping your little one settle into nursery and develop valuable skills that will equip them well for primary school, secondary school, college, and beyond! To find out more about our nursery groups, give us a call today.