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Parenting

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Original poster

Tips for starting nursery

13 replies

Andrelax3 · 09/09/2022 13:06

I’m currently on maternity leave and due to return to work at the end of February. My DD will be 1 at the end of January. She’ll be going to nursery 3 days a week and will be at my parents 1 day. She’s (obviously) used to spending time with my parents already and I’m starting to get her napping at their house and will gradually transition it so that 1 day a week at their house is the norm so that’s one less thing for her to have to get used to when I’m back at work.

For nursery, I’m not really sure what the best approach is. We’re pretty sure we’ve found the nursery we want to send her to and I’m waiting to hear back from them on how many settling in sessions she’ll get and how long they are in duration. But I’m wondering if it would be better to do those in January and then have the 3 weeks in February before I’m back to work to ease her in to going to nursery and build up the length of time she’s there. Or is it better to go from settling in sessions straight to 3 full days?

I’d love to know what you found worked/didn’t work or if there’s anything you wished you tried with your little one.

Thank you!

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Skinnermarink · 09/09/2022 13:19

To be honest I just used the settling sessions and DS went in for full days from the following week. I wouldn’t have wanted to confuse him by having a break in between, it was a sort of get on with situation- for me and him!

I was way more bothered than he was, for him it was just a new place to explore, different people to try and bite etc.

Iheartmykyndle · 09/09/2022 13:27

I've used three different nurseries and it's been settling in over a week or two and then straight into their usual days the following week. With both of mine, I started nursery the week before I went back to work so I could do a 9am drop and 4pm ish pick up that first week and be available in case of any issues.

Original poster

Andrelax3 · 09/09/2022 13:27

Did he settle in okay @Skinnermarink? I wouldn’t have a break between her settling in sessions and starting but didn’t know whether to ease her in with half days and build up to full days over a few days.

I’m sure I’m just overthinking it all!

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Original poster

Andrelax3 · 09/09/2022 13:29

Thanks @Iheartmykyndle I think we probably will start her a week or two before I go back and see how she gets on. I can make them slightly shorter days if I need to.

OP posts:

Mustrryharder · 09/09/2022 13:29

We did settling in sessions straight to full days, but the full days started the week before I went back to work. It was very helpful for when I was upset 🤣 and didn't feel rushed

Original poster

Andrelax3 · 09/09/2022 13:32

@Mustrryharder 😂This will be me too!!

OP posts:

wibblewobbleball · 09/09/2022 13:34

I did settle sessions then built my DD up slowly as she was a lockdown baby, so she did settles then mornings only, then mornings plus one full day, increasing until she was able to do 3 full days without losing it. But she wasn't socialised at all because of lockdown so it felt right to do it slowly over a few weeks. I also highly recommend vaccinating for chicken pox if you can. So many germs will be caught at nursery, it's worth it if you can vaccinate against one that could cause not only a lot of discomfort for your DC but quite a period of time off work for you while they are off nursery!

Skinnermarink · 09/09/2022 14:24

Yes I did stick around for the first week when he went in before going back to work. He did settle fine but it felt better to be nearby.

Original poster

Andrelax3 · 09/09/2022 15:35

Thanks @wibblewobbleball Do you know if the chicken pox vaccine would be something I’d pay for privately?

OP posts:

Skinnermarink · 09/09/2022 15:49

Andrelax3 · 09/09/2022 15:35

Thanks @wibblewobbleball Do you know if the chicken pox vaccine would be something I’d pay for privately?

Yes, private, I am currently trying to sort of through Boots but there’s a shortage. It’s £75 each for the two doses so £150 😩

But we can’t afford to take anymore time off work if we can avoid, nursery sickness so far has been brutal.

TheTeddyBears · 09/09/2022 15:54

I wish I had put her in the week before so that she cld have her settling in sessions and then moving to longer sessions as decided by me before being left for a whole day. Although expensive to do if you don't need it then. Ur little one will get used to it quickly as in 3 days it's harder for them to settle if only in 1 or 2 days a week.

I felt that going a couple of times for a couple of hours isn't the same as going for half a day or further on to a full day. However they will be fine regardless just maybe makes u feel better lol.

Mummyinnie · 31/12/2022 02:57

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WandaWonder · 31/12/2022 03:11

We did the settling in sessions the week before then he just went the 3 days we picked, he followed their routines so I didn't think there was anything for me to do other than send him

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