Starting nursery is a genuine milestone — for your child, and honestly, for you too. A little preparation in the days and weeks beforehand makes a real difference to how smoothly the first day at nursery actually goes. Here’s how to prepare your toddler for their first day at nursery, step by step.
Start the Nursery Routine Before Day One
One of the most effective ways to prepare your toddler for their first day at nursery is to start living the routine a week or two early — not just talking about it. If nursery starts at 8am, begin waking, dressing, and eating breakfast at that time before the first real day arrives. Toddlers adjust far better to a routine they’ve already practised than one they meet for the first time on day one.
What This Looks Like in Practice
- Set the same wake-up and bedtime you’ll need once nursery starts
- Practise the morning sequence: wake, dress, eat, leave
- If your child will nap at nursery, start shifting nap time to match
Talk About Nursery Before It Happens
Simple, positive framing helps more than a long explanation. Mention nursery casually in the days before — the friends they’ll meet, the toys they’ll play with, the activities they’ll do. The goal isn’t to build up excitement artificially, just to make the idea familiar rather than sudden.
If your child will attend Little Feet, a short visit beforehand — walking through the classroom, meeting a teacher, seeing where they’ll put their bag — makes the actual first day feel like a place they’ve already been, not somewhere entirely new.
Prepare Your Toddler for the Goodbye, Not Just the Day
The hardest part of the first day at nursery is rarely the day itself — it’s the moment you leave. A few things genuinely help:
- Keep goodbyes short. A long, drawn-out farewell often makes separation harder, not easier, because it signals to your child that this moment is something to be anxious about.
- Always say goodbye — never sneak out. It might avoid tears in the moment, but it teaches a child that you might disappear without warning, which usually makes future drop-offs harder.
- Use a simple, consistent goodbye phrase or routine — the same words or a small ritual (a wave through the window, a specific hug) every day builds predictability.
- Reassure them you’ll be back, and be specific in toddler terms — “after lunch” or “after your nap” means more than “later.”
Pack What They Know
A familiar comfort item — a small blanket, a favourite small toy — can make an unfamiliar room feel less unfamiliar, if your nursery allows it. Check with your branch about their policy on comfort items from home.
What to Expect After the First Day at Nursery
Some tears at drop-off in the first week are genuinely normal, even for children who seemed fully ready beforehand — it doesn’t mean something is wrong or that you’ve prepared badly. Most children settle within one to two weeks as the routine becomes familiar. What matters more than a tear-free first day is consistency: the same routine, the same goodbye, every day, even when it’s hard.
If your child will be moving between our daycare and preschool programmes as they grow, the same preparation approach applies at each transition, not just the very first day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it usually take a toddler to settle into nursery?
Most children settle within one to two weeks, though this varies by child. Consistency in routine and goodbyes matters more than speed.
Should I stay with my child on the first day?
Many nurseries, including Little Feet, offer a short settling-in period with shorter days or a parent present briefly before full days begin. Ask your branch what their approach is.
Is it normal for my child to cry every day at drop-off, even after a few weeks?
Occasional tears can continue longer for some children, but if crying persists intensely well beyond the first few weeks, it’s worth a conversation with your child’s teacher about what’s happening during the day.
Should I call to check on my child during their first day?
Most nurseries are happy to reassure anxious parents, but try to resist checking too often — it can be harder on you than on your child, who is often more settled than you’d expect once you’re out of sight.