Tips for first day of nursery drop off?

[Sofx]

DS (nearly 3) starting nursery next week. We had a stay and play session a couple weeks ago for an hour, he for quite clingy at first and didn't want me to leave until around 15/20 mins after we got there. I told him 'mummy's going to go back to the car for something, I'll come back soon, you play with these toys while I'm gone' etc.
When I came back 45 mins later the staff said 'he had a little cry when he realised you had left' but he was listening to story time when I got there and seemed ok.

The stay and play session was mid afternoon so there were no other parents around for usual drop off/pick up.

I'm obviously nervous to drop him off for his first proper session and worried he'll not want me to go again... especially with everyone around.

What should I do? Please can someone give me some tips for drop off to make it easier on us both? He's my first child so haven't experienced this yet.

My advice is to not make to much of a big thing of his 'first day at nursery' (and don't let family do so either). Positive talk about it yes, but not too much hype.

Never lie. If you lie about how long you'll be leaving him you he won't trust you and will associate the place with the time mummy said she was coming straight back and didn't. 45 minutes the other day is probably passable as his understanding of time isn't developed yet. But definitely don't say you'll be back in a moment if it'll actually be hours.

It'll be easier arriving as other kids are arriving as hopefully they'll model just walking in without a fuss. Focus on talking about one thing he will do there, that he can picture so that he has a positive image in his mind. Pick something safe like 'are you going to play with those really fun cars' or 'the blue slide' - something you know is there and that he spotted the other day.

Staff always said to me that the best approach was a swift handover but without you running away. 'Have a lovely day DS. Will you tell me about it this afternoon when I pick you up' (to reinforce that you will be going back to pick him up), then just go and leave the staff to it, even if he cries.

@ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse thank you so much for your reply, that's some really helpful advice ❤️

Expect tears, they happen for afew weeks, but once they are settled they are totally fine.

I didn't make a big song and dance saying bye, I just said I'll see you after lunch have fun and away he went in.

The build up is harder for us I think, it does get easier though. I don't get a goodbye now he runs in

The nursery staff are so experienced at this they will also likely have hundreds of little strategies to try.

Definitely expect tears, i always do cuddles and kisses by the door and then say mummy will pick you up after lunch/tea/before lunch etc. so they know when't you'll be back and then don't hang around if they fuss, as the staff will be so used to managing situations like this. Hope it all goes well :-)