Will my shy 12mo be ok at nursery?

[Flowersandbiscuits]

My 12 month old has always been sensitive, shy, cautious and wary of new people and places. He always needs time to warm up before exploring and even then, he tends to sit and observe a lot, rather than play. He’s starting nursery very soon and I’m worried he’s going to struggle and just spend the whole time upset or sat in a corner watching the world go by. He’ll be going 3 full days a week.

Anyone have any reassuring experiences of how their shy little ones coped at nursery?

My shy little wallflower went at 13 months full days twice a week. And she has flourished. She's coming up 4 now, and absolutely loves it there. Nursery staff are great. They'll encourage him to join in and have loads of stuff and activities that he won't be able to resist joining in. And most importantly, they will have seen it, and handled it all before.

@Dyra thank you! I really hope it’s the same for my little guy!

My shy little boy did take a while to settle. But he became the Loudest Baby in the Baby Room (for his babbling, not for crying)! They all get going and grow and change, at their own pace. And yes the nursery staff will be used to this and there to help.

@Soverymuchfruit thanks. How long did it take him to settle?

My DD is exactly the same. When she's with me it still takes her about 20-30 minutes in new situations (parties, playgroups whatever) to feel comfortable going off on her own.

However she's absolutely thrived at nursery. started at 13months and is now 2. There were tears at drop off for about 6 months but literally only for 30 seconds while I left the room and then she was absolutely fine. Now she asks to go to nursery on non nursery days!

@Flowersandbiscuits Hmm, can I remember? So he was happy once we'd gone, a few days. So he didn't cry on drop off, a few weeks. It was a bit of an intense time for me, what with going back to work full time etc, so I can't remember very clearly!

And crying on drop off is VERY NORMAL. Trust the nursery workers when they tell you that the tears are all gone very shortly after you've gone.