Experience of starting nursery

SquirrelBalloon · 2026-08-24T21:01:07+00:00

My 12 month old LO has 3 settling in sessions this week, 2 hour long sessions then a full day. I don’t stay for any of them. I really don’t know what to expect but I’m so worried because I’m back at work next week. He loves baby classes and groups and happily goes to explore when we’re there, but he always looks back to check where I am. I feel sick - it’s such a horrible feeling.

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

JamTartLover · 24/08/2026 22:56

My LO has just started nursery (this is her last week of settling in) so i feel your pain!

Its so hard walking away from them and leaving them but i just try to spend as much time as I can with her when Im not working.

Original poster

SquirrelBalloon · 25/08/2026 08:36

JamTartLover · 24/08/2026 22:56

My LO has just started nursery (this is her last week of settling in) so i feel your pain!

Its so hard walking away from them and leaving them but i just try to spend as much time as I can with her when Im not working.

How has her settling in gone? I just feel really nervous that he’s going to be so upset and confused.

OP posts:

JamTartLover · 25/08/2026 13:22

The settling in os going as well as can be expected. She hasn't cried at drop off yet but cries and hugs me when I collect her.

She is also breastfed but the key worker did manage to put her to sleep which was impressive.

I usually take some food with me in case she hasn't eaten much there.

I usually spend time with her once shes been picked up just to help reconnect.

Has your DS done a settling in session yet?

SummerInSun · 25/08/2026 13:30

This is WAY harder for you than your DS. I remember when DS started at 12 months I was a wreck and was so worried he’d be upset, especially if he cried when I first left him. By the time I’d gotten out of the building and snuck a peek through the windows, I could usually see him happily playing or eating a second breakfast! After a few weeks he’d scoot in really happily to his favourite toy or key worker. As long as you have chosen a good nursery, it will be fine.

That said, it’s a bit of a right of passage for DC to catch every bug going when they first start nursery, or the first winter, and you then catch it from them. I’ve never been sick more often in my life that the first winter DS1 was at nursery - but after that my immune system must have been bulletproof because I barely got sick for ten years after that! I had a clear deal with DH that as I was just settling back into work after maternity leave and trying to make a good impression, if the nursery called to say DS was sick and needed picking up, DH would be the default person to leave work to do it for the first six months or so.

Original poster

SquirrelBalloon · 25/08/2026 14:36

He’s had session 1 today, they told me he was fine at first, then had an unsettled 15 minutes but they managed to distract him by showing him the garden. We had some photos of him smiling and he didn’t look like he’d been crying when we collected him but he was making a sobbing noise for a while as we took him home.

OP posts:

Original poster

SquirrelBalloon · 25/08/2026 14:36

SummerInSun · 25/08/2026 13:30

This is WAY harder for you than your DS. I remember when DS started at 12 months I was a wreck and was so worried he’d be upset, especially if he cried when I first left him. By the time I’d gotten out of the building and snuck a peek through the windows, I could usually see him happily playing or eating a second breakfast! After a few weeks he’d scoot in really happily to his favourite toy or key worker. As long as you have chosen a good nursery, it will be fine.

That said, it’s a bit of a right of passage for DC to catch every bug going when they first start nursery, or the first winter, and you then catch it from them. I’ve never been sick more often in my life that the first winter DS1 was at nursery - but after that my immune system must have been bulletproof because I barely got sick for ten years after that! I had a clear deal with DH that as I was just settling back into work after maternity leave and trying to make a good impression, if the nursery called to say DS was sick and needed picking up, DH would be the default person to leave work to do it for the first six months or so.

Ahh yes the bugs…
He’s had a bit of a run of illnesses for the past couple of months so I’m hoping his immune system can cope well 🤞🏻

OP posts:

mintgreensoftlilac · 25/08/2026 14:55

Most kids seem to take to it really well! My main reflection is to be prepared for lots of illness and having to take days off/collect early quite frequently in those early days due to illnesses. Also have lots and lots of spare clothes that you don’t mind getting ruined! At our nursery they have to have two full sets of clean clothes extra per day so that’s 9 outfits a week just for the 3 days of nursery 😂. Mostly just enjoy it, happy in the knowledge they are well cared for and getting lots of lovely experiences.