Tips to help DS settle in to nursery

[Jenniferb21]

Hi All

DS is 10 months and has just had his settling in sessions at nursery.
He is booked in for another 4 x 1/2 days until I go back to work and then he'll do 4 full days there.

He seems okay but has been more clingy and is crying more than he usually does in fact he hardly used to cry at all.

Is there anything I can do to help him adjust?

I wish I didn't have to work I know I'm going to be crying all the time myself and worried about him being unhappy.

Thank you x

The best advice I can give (as a mum and an x nursery nurse) when it comes to drop off time, quick kiss, say see you later then leave.
Don't sneak out without saying goodbye as he'll look for you.
Don't hang around and don't go back (even when he cries)
It really helps the settling in process and even if he cries it won't be for long.
If you are worried, give the nursery a call once you get to work.

I found that the 1/2 day settling in sessions didn't work for my DD & DS. They were both so much better when they were in full days and had a bit more routine. The half day pick up time fell in around nap time and messed up their day!

Ok thank you maybe it's worth me putting him in a couple of full days too before I go back to work.

Gosh I'd find it so hard to not go to him if he was crying. I know all parents would though and I can see why you reccommend this. Luckily DH will generally do drop offs so I won't have that emotional side of things in the morning before work.

X

I hated going back. I found it best to carry my little one in and hand him into the arms of the helper. Then I always said the same words "have fun, mummy loves you, mummy see you tonight, mummy come back". He goes running in now

Aw nearly cried just reading that! Thank you I can see why saying the same thing helps must be reassuring for them I'll remember that xxxx

It will be ok, you will get used to being back as well. The first week or 2 I used to ring up to see how he was, they shouldn't mind you doing that.

Be happy and do a brisk goodbye. Don't draw it out because it always makes it worse. Try a high 5 or a wave at the window. I used to do this with dd when I had to go out and she was so excited to get to the window that she forgot to be sad.

Remember they take their cues from us. If you look sad or distressed, then they start to panic.

Thanks all is there anything I can do at home to prepare him? I ebay already tried to mirror their feeding times x

Oh I bought some books - Maisy goes to nursery, mummy goes to work and oh my darling little one and read them to him.
The other thing is always talk positively - you going to go nursery today, see all your little friends

V good tip thank you he loves books so I'll get some!! Stupid spell check by the way mean to say I have not 'ebay'!

I guessed! Those are all on Amazon