Tips on getting DD ready for nursery?

[BabyHamster]

My DD will be starting nursery in March next year when she's 10 months and I'm a little worried about it. She'll be there three full days a week and home with me or my DP on the other days.

I've not been one for baby groups etc whilst on maternity leave and suddenly feel very guilty that I haven't exposed her enough to large groups of other babies. DD has spent most of her time with me, my DP, our families and a few close friends who were pregnant/had babies around the same time.

When she is in noisy spaces with lots of children she becomes quite withdrawn. Is this going to be a problem? Will she adapt to the nursery environment?

She's in a very loose routine of three naps a day with feeds in between but times vary a lot depending on what we're up to. Should I be trying to get her into a "proper" routine with set times for naps and meals/milk?

Is there anything else I could be doing to make the transition easier for her?

Ds doesn't go to nursery, as his grandmothers have him when I'm at work. But I would say it's not too late to start going to groups, one I went to was Hellingly noisy but would be good prep for nursery I think.

She will likely fall into more of a routine by then, and almost certainly will do once she's at nursery.

Hmmmm. Is it worth taking her to groups as preparation for nursery then? We're a bit out in the sticks so they're not that easy to get to but I will take her if it's going to help the transition.

Its only three months until March so I'm not sure a "proper" routine with timings etc will develop on its own in that time but she's my first so I have no clue

Don't worry about a routine as this would likely change when she starts nursery anyway due to her being more tired etc

You don't need a 'proper' routine established for nursery, she will just fit in with them, you'd be surprised how adaptable they are. The nursery manager at mine said, in response to my endless questioning, 'monkey see, monkey do'. She was definitely right. Going to groups does no harm and will possibly help her get used to noise, but she will adapt to nursery (maybe not without a few tears along the way) whatever you do, so just go with your gut.

Don't worry! We didn't go to many baby groups (maybe 1 a month) as I was feeling too down. DS started nursery 2 days a week at 10 months old and after a few days of clinginess at drop-off, he now absolutely loves it (14 months now).
He used to be nervous around kids but now he's an outgoing, rambunctious little boy. I think going to nursery is one of the best decisions I've made for him.

I think groups do help with the noise and activity level. Failing that, the nightmare that is soft play at the weekend!

You don't need to do anything to get her ready for nursery. She is a baby. She will be in the baby room with other babies and it will all be fine.

Don't worry. My kids started at 9 month. They went for 2/3 full days. 8am-6pm and grandparents 1/2 days. It may take a while to settle the child but u would need to feel confident in yourself and the nursery. Your little one will enjoy and u will have a great routine to your week.

My DD was really timid before she started nursery, literally jumped at her own shadow and I really worried about how she'd cope. She loves it (been there over a year now) and she has come right out of her shell and is much more confident.