When it comes to settling reluctant children into nursery it’s important to remember that every parent and child is different. Some parents or children may be excited about the prospect of daycare, others may find it a little daunting. It can be a stressful time when settling in to a new environment for little ones, but there are a few ways to ease to process for both parent and child.

Here are our top tips for reducing stress when starting a new nursery and easing the settling in process:

Get your child excited about nursery

Before your child’s first day it might be a a great idea to spend some time building up excitement about starting at nursery. If you talk about all the fun and friends there are at this new place that’s coming then your child will be more excited about their first day! This removes any ideas that could seem a little daunting to a parent of child and would help reduce the stress that can be involved when starting a nursery.

Let your child take a cuddly toy from home

Something comforting that reminds them of home is a great way to help your child feel safer in a new environment, especially if you’re trying to settle reluctant children into nursery. You could even ask the nursery staff to put it somewhere visible for your child and request that they let your child have the toy when they ask for it to try and ease a sense of comfort into their new surroundings.

Avoid elongating goodbyes

The settling in process for children in a new nursery can be just as stressful for parents as it is for the child. We all want to hug and kiss our child until the very last second possible before leaving them for the day, but sometimes this could be making the situation more challenging for both parties. If your child is kicking and screaming when you try and say goodbye then it may be easier to keep the farewells to a minimum to reduce stress when starting at nursery. The advice of a lot of fellow parents is to give a quick loving kiss, cuddle and a happy ‘see you later’ to avoid a stressful goodbye for your child.

Don’t panic

The first few days of the settling in process can feel like an eternity, but it’s important to remember that it can take time for your little one to feel comfortable in a brand new environment. You may have thoughts about pulling them out of nursery or even quitting your job to avoid the settling process altogether but if you talk to the nursery staff they will wholeheartedly support you in the settling in process because it takes time. Some children may be happy within a few days, but for others it may take a few weeks for them to feel truly comfortable. Every child is different, but settling reluctant children into nursery takes time and patience is key.