Starting nursery is a significant change for both children and parents. Settling is usually a gradual process as your child becomes familiar with new adults, children, routines and surroundings.
Some children settle quickly, while others need more time and reassurance. This guide explains what you may notice during the first month and how parents and nursery practitioners can work together to make the transition easier.
What Does The First Month At Nursery Usually Look Like?
The first month is primarily about building familiarity, relationships and emotional security.
Your child may gradually begin to recognise familiar practitioners, understand the drop-off routine, explore activities, interact with other children and become more comfortable eating or sleeping at nursery.
Progress is not always linear. A child who happily walks in one morning may become tearful the next. This does not necessarily mean they are going backwards; adjusting to nursery takes time.
A Quick Guide To The First Four Weeks
Every child is different, but thinking about the first month in stages can help parents understand how settling may develop.
Week One: Getting To Know A Completely New Environment
During the first few sessions, your child is becoming familiar with new faces, sounds, spaces and routines. Some children explore immediately, while others prefer to observe or remain close to their Key Person.
Parents can help by sharing information about sleep, feeding, comfort items, favourite activities and familiar ways of calming their child. This helps practitioners provide greater continuity between home and nursery.
Week Two: Recognising People And Routines
Children may begin recognising familiar adults and anticipating parts of the nursery day.
They might become interested in particular activities, such as outdoor play, stories, songs or sensory experiences. For babies, progress may be as simple as accepting reassurance from their Key Person, sleeping comfortably or confidently exploring part of the room.
Week Three: Growing Confidence And Curiosity
As children become more secure, they may start exploring independently, communicating more confidently, joining activities and developing relationships with other children.
Their individual interests and personality often become increasingly visible as the nursery environment starts to feel more familiar.
Week Four: Nursery Starts To Feel Familiar
After several weeks, many children have developed a clearer understanding of their nursery routine and formed relationships with familiar practitioners.
This does not mean every child will be completely settled within four weeks. Age, temperament, attendance pattern and previous childcare experiences can all influence the transition.
Rather than focusing only on whether your child cries at drop-off, ask what happens afterwards. Some children become upset during separation but settle quickly once comforted by a trusted practitioner.
Is It Normal For Children To Cry At Nursery Drop-Off?
Yes. Crying can be a normal response to separation, particularly during the first few weeks.
A warm, predictable and reasonably brief goodbye can help establish a clear routine. Ask practitioners how quickly your child settled, what reassured them and what they enjoyed afterwards. This provides a much fuller picture than the drop-off alone.
What Emotional Changes Might You Notice At Home?
Nursery can be stimulating, so some children may temporarily become more tired, affectionate, emotional or hungry than usual. Others may want quiet time after nursery or begin repeating songs and activities they have enjoyed.
These responses vary considerably between children. Providing calm time and maintaining familiar home routines can help during the transition.
How A Key Person Can Help Your Child Settle
At The Tots Team, every child has a dedicated Key Person who gets to know their routines, interests, communication and individual needs.
Having a familiar adult provides consistency for children and gives parents a regular point of contact during the settling period.
This focus on relationships is reflected in The Tots Team’s Ofsted feedback, which highlights caring and inclusive provision, positive relationships, strong parent partnerships, and children feeling safe, secure, happy and settled.
Parents can read the official Ofsted information for The Tots Team and the supporting Ofsted report for further information.
Why Settling-In Sessions Matter Before A Child Starts Nursery
Phased settling gives children an opportunity to experience nursery gradually before beginning their normal attendance pattern.
The Tots Team provides free settling-in sessions, helping children become familiar with practitioners and their surroundings. They also allow parents to share information about routines, comfort preferences, sleep and feeding.
The aim is to make nursery increasingly familiar and predictable rather than expecting children to adjust immediately.
How Parents And Nursery Should Communicate During The First Month
Regular communication helps parents understand what happens beyond drop-off.
At The Tots Team, parents receive daily handovers and updates through the nursery communication platform, covering areas such as meals, sleep, activities and general wellbeing.
Communication should work both ways. Let practitioners know about changes at home, poor sleep, teething or anything else that could affect your child’s day. Strong partnerships with parents is something we take seriously. You can find more detail about the support we offer to parents here.
A Practical Starting Nursery Checklist For UK Parents
Before your child’s first regular session, consider:
- discussing sleep and feeding routines
- explaining allergies or dietary requirements
- packing suitable spare and outdoor clothing
- providing any required creams
- sharing comfort routines or important words and gestures
- confirming authorised collection arrangements
- ensuring emergency contact details are up to date
At The Tots Team, current nursery fees include meals, snacks, nappies, wipes and learning resources.
Practical Advice For Parents During The Nursery Transition
Starting nursery can be an adjustment for parents too.
Try to keep morning routines predictable, talk positively about nursery without putting pressure on your child, and use clear, reassuring goodbyes.
At collection, ask specific questions such as what your child enjoyed or what helped them settle. Most importantly, look at progress over several weeks rather than judging the experience by one difficult morning.
How Safety And Reassurance Fit Into The Settling Process
Feeling confident in the people caring for your child is an important part of the settling process.
At The Tots Team, strict Enhanced DBS checks are carried out for nursery practitioners, and staff are paediatric first aid trained. These measures form part of our wider commitment to safeguarding and creating an environment where children can feel safe and secure as they settle into nursery life.
The nursery has additionally received Daynurseries.co.uk awards in both 2025 and 2026 and has been featured by the Yorkshire Evening Post in its 2026 coverage of eight of the best-rated Leeds nurseries for behaviour. These provide families with further independent sources of recognition when considering childcare in Leeds.
What Developmental Changes Might You Notice During The First Month?
Nursery introduces opportunities to develop communication, independence, physical skills and social confidence.
Depending on their age, children may begin using new words or songs, practising turn-taking, becoming more confident around other children or showing greater independence.
The Tots Team supports children across three age-specific rooms: Baby Tots from 3 months to 24 months, Big Tots from 2 to 3 years, and Bigger Tots from 3 to 5 years, with learning guided by the EYFS.
When Should You Speak To The Nursery About Settling Concerns?
Speak with your child’s Key Person whenever you have concerns, particularly if distress does not appear to be improving or you notice significant changes in eating, sleeping or behaviour.
Open communication allows practitioners to provide context and discuss how your child is being supported.
Frequently Asked Questions About Starting Nursery
There is no fixed timeframe. Some children settle quickly, while others need several weeks or longer.
Yes. Some children find separation difficult but settle soon after their parent leaves. Ask practitioners what happens afterwards to understand the full picture.
Requirements depend on age and individual needs. At The Tots Team, parents should provide required creams and suitable spare clothing. Meals, snacks, nappies and wipes are included within current nursery fees.
Yes. A nursery visit allows you to explore the environment, understand routines and discuss how your individual child would be supported.
Give Your Child Time To Find Their Own Nursery Rhythm
The first month is about gradually building trust, familiarity and secure relationships. There may be confident mornings and difficult goodbyes along the way, and every child’s experience will be different.
At The Tots Team, our approach includes dedicated Key Persons, close parent partnerships and free phased settling-in sessions. Ofsted feedback highlights caring and inclusive provision, positive relationships, children feeling safe and secure, and children who are happy and settled. We are also proud to have received Daynurseries.co.uk awards in both 2025 and 2026.
If you would like to discuss settling-in, your child’s routines or arranging a nursery visit, contact The Tots Team.
Email: info@thetotsteam.com
Call: 0113 513 8569
