Preparing for nursery

[Aurora94]

Hi all, I am unexpectedly going to be sending LO to nursery for the first time in a few weeks, he is almost 6 months. I had intended to wait until he was 1 before going back to work but a part time job opportunity has come up that means going back to work earlier but in the long run having more time to spend with LO. Despite this I’m finding it so difficult to get my head around leaving him for around 8 hours 3 days a week when up until now I have only spend 2 hours away from him once 😭🤣.
I Know so many people have been in the same boat when going back to work so any tips on how to prepare for nursery and also is there anything people found they needed or was useful to buy for nursery (clothes etc.)?

My child went full time at 7 months and she loved it. It is normally before separation anxiety has kicked in so they don't mind leaving you at that stage.

Take 2 or 3 spare outfits in case of nappy leaks etc.... give the childcare a routine that your baby is in. Also make sure bottles and milk etc..... is in the nursery bag. Ours didn't provide nappies so we also had to take those in.

Go with your gut instinct!

Try and visit the nursery not on show round/ planned visit ( not over lunchtime though) a good nursery should welcome you, reassure you and let you see around ( maybe not babies though if they are sleeping) if you are accompanied by staff at all times. Be weary if the nursery tells you what time to come for a visit because you will only see the gloss on a show round/ planned visit!

Check that the room leader and other staff in baby room have had specific additional training for working with under 2 's this is on top of their experience or any qualifications they may have.

Ask if your nursery has a secondary key person system in place. Your baby will have a named key person, who will get to know them and you, but if their key person is not available ( shift patterns, holidays, illness) then the secondary key person will take over meeting your babies needs, where possible.

Discusd your baby's routine in depth with their key person . I would also ask if the room leader could be part of that discussion too- that way you have at least two people who are fully aware of your baby's routine. Follow. this up in writing with an email.

Be very clear if you want to use your own nappies, wipes and cream or if you are happy to use the one's nursery supply. If using your own you will need a big pack of nappies or two smaller packs, 3 x packs of wipes and 1 big tub/ tube of cream all named.

i would pack four sets of clothing for nursery all labelled with your child's name . Pack is large zip lock bag or small wet/dry bag to put wet soiled clothes in . Nappy sacks that are used for this are useless!

you will need a large bottle of suncream if you want to use your own rather than a nursery generic one It needs to be named.

2-3 sun hats named for summer. 2-3 woolly hats named for winter. Plus 2-3 pairs of gloves or mittens . Plus spare socks (loads)

Dummy pots, dummies and other comforters all named

Dress your baby practically for a day at nursery - cheap clothes that are weather/ season appropriate that you do not mind getting messy! Your baby is only little, but they will be playing with messy/sensory staff at times,

Buy a quality puddle suit, a fully waterproof one, if the nursery do not supply them. Babies and children are outside an awful lot at nursery in all weather ( unless pouring or thunder)

once walking Confidently buy indoor shoes and wellies to keep at nursery.

Have fun!