Starting nursery is an important and exciting time for you and your child. Some children can find the experience a little overwhelming at first but we find that by taking time at the beginning to go through the process outlined below most children settle into nursery quickly and easily.

Please provide your child with a nursery bag with a change of clothes and indoor shoes i.e. sand shoes or light trainers but NOT slippers. Please label all items with your child’s name. Please do not put any food/drinks/ snacks/medication or toys in the bag. Due to lack of space in the cloakrooms, and children sharing pegs, this bag must be taken home at the end of each session.
 
Stage One
This is just a short stay of one hour to introduce your child to the nursery playrooms and their keyworker. Please bring your child at the date and time you have been given. On your first day you will be introduced to your child’s key worker who will be responsible for settling your child into nursery; he/she will show you where your child’s cloakroom peg is.
 
Your keyworker will meet you and spend the first half hour getting to know more about you and your child. The next half hour is spent in the playroom. You are asked to stay with your child in the playroom during this stage. For child protection we would ask that no mobile phones are used within the nursery premises.
 
Your child’s keyworker will be available to answer any small queries you may have.  At the end of the visit your child’s keyworker will advise you what time to arrive at the next day and when you might move on to stage 2.
 
Stage Two
Please get your child ready in the cloakroom and then bring him/her to their keyworker in the playroom. Feel free to help settle your child with something he/she enjoys doing. Depending on how your child is settling your child’s keyworker will advise you on whether you stay in the playroom or go to the parent’s room. We will gradually increase the amount of time your child spends in nursery as they become more comfortable and confident. This will give the staff and children time to get to know one another. Your child’s keyworker will discuss with you when your child might be ready for the next stage.
 
Stage 3
Your child’s keyworker will keep you updated on how your child is settling and continue to gradually increase the time your child spends in nursery. Depending on how your child is settling your child’s keyworker will advise you on whether you can stay in the parent’s room or leave the nursery and for how long.
 
Final Stage
Once your child is happy and comfortable with their nursery routine we will increase the time to your full session allowance. Our child’s keyworker or a member of staff from their playroom will always pass on information about your child’s day at nursery when you collect them at the end of the session.
 
Remember this is only a guideline, each child will be treated individually and some children may take longer than others to settle.
 
HELPFUL HINTS

• Talk to your child about nursery school and what he/she might like to do or play with
• Dress your child in clothes and shoes that they can manage by themselves. Change your child into indoor shoes i.e. sand shoes or light trainers but NOT slippers. Velcro fastenings not laces are best suited for both indoor and outdoor shoes.
• Do not put your child in their best clothes for nursery as they will get messy. Please dress your child appropriately for all weathers as we go outdoors every day. i.e., wellies, sun hats & sunscreen.
  Football team colours should not be worn. 
• Put your child’s name on their clothes, shoes, jackets and all other belongings.
• No dangling earrings or other types of jewellery which would become a health & safety issue
• Be prepared to stay in the nursery yourself for the first few days. If you cannot manage because of work commitments please try to find someone else to stand in for you
• Bring and collect your child at the times as discussed with your keyworker. If you are running late for drop off or collection please call to let us know.

 
Enjoy the settling in period. Take time to get to know the keyworker and all nursery staff, routines and other parents. Please feel free to ask questions at any time. The staff and I are always available to talk briefly with parents. If you need to discuss anything in detail please let me know and I will arrange a time to see you away from the playroom.

Please call the nursery on 0141 952 9962 if you need any help or advice.

Kind regards,                          
Mary Gallacher