Top 10 Tips for Helping Your Toddler Settle into Nursery Life

 

Starting nursery is a big milestone, not just for toddlers, but for parents too. The excitement often comes mixed with worry and a lot of questions. In this guide, we share first day nursery tips and show how small, thoughtful steps can make your toddler’s nursery transition calmer and more confident for everyone involved. 

Why the First Weeks at Nursery Matter for Toddlers 

The early weeks at nursery shape how secure and confident a toddler feels in group care. Early years research shows that children who feel emotionally safe settle faster and experience fewer behaviour changes. A calm start supports learning, relationships, and long-term wellbeing. 

Top 10 First Day Nursery Tips for Toddlers 

These first day nursery tips focus on emotional security, routine, and trust. They are designed to help toddlers feel safe, understood, and supported as they adjust to a new environment. 

1. Talk About Nursery Positively Before the First Day 

Toddlers understand more than we think. Simple, happy talk about the nursery helps reduce fear and builds familiarity. 

2. Create a Gentle Toddler Routine for Nursery 

Start adjusting wake-up, meals, and nap times a week or two before. A familiar rhythm makes mornings less stressful. 

3. Practise Short Separations at Home 

Brief separations with trusted adults teach toddlers that goodbyes are safe and temporary. 

4. Keep Drop-Offs Calm and Predictable 

A warm hug, a clear goodbye, and leaving confidently help toddlers feel secure. Lingering often increases distress. 

5. Send a Familiar Comfort Item 

A favourite toy or blanket provides reassurance and emotional grounding throughout the day. 

6. Expect Changes in Toddler Behaviour at Nursery 

Sleep disruption, clinginess, or extra tears are common. Around 60 per cent of toddlers show short-term behaviour changes when starting nursery. 

7. Trust the Key Worker System 

The key person approach helps toddlers form strong attachments, which supports emotional regulation and confidence. 

8. Stick to Consistent Pick-Up Times 

Predictable endings help toddlers trust that you will always return. 

9. Be Patient With Setbacks 

Many toddlers need two to six weeks to fully settle. Regression is normal and temporary. 

10. Look After Your Own Emotions Too 

Children sense parental anxiety. Staying calm helps your toddler feel safe too. 

How Long Does It Take for a Toddler to Settle into Nursery? 

Most toddlers settle within two to four weeks, though some take longer. Some guidance highlights that temperament and routine consistency matter. Make sure you avoid rushing the process, comparing children, or changing routines too often, as consistency builds trust and security. 

Choose the Right Nursery for Your Child 

Helping a toddler settle at nursery takes patience, routine, and emotional reassurance. Every child adjusts at their own pace, and that is perfectly okay. Parents should visit different settings, ask about settling-in approaches, and choose nurseries that prioritise emotional wellbeing.  

Wimbledon Day Nursery is a trusted choice for families seeking a nurturing, well-established setting where children are supported and feel secure from their very first days.