If you’ve never had a child in nursery before, there are a few things you should bear in mind. The reality is, it’s not always smooth sailing, but then neither is parenting! We will do our best to provide an environment where your child is happy; where they are cared for & educated; a stimulating environment with staff who provide a developmentally appropriate curriculum, including a balance of play, learning activities, outdoor time and a consistent routine (not forgetting the cuddles of course)! We also have a strong focus on fostering positive social interactions & considering your child’s individual needs & preferences.
Though we endeavour to ensure your child is always safe and well, realistically there are always going to be things that are outside of our control, that it’s important for you to be prepared for as a parent. Here are some of the most common ones we see all the time:
Routine Disruption
Your child’s routine may change, and they may behave differently at nursery to how they do at home. This is normal. They are in a new environment with different social interactions and stimulation levels. There is a lot going on for them to get used to.
Illness
Your child will get ill. Their immune system is still developing and they are exposed to many new germs from other children in a close environment. Hopefully, over time, their immunity will increase.
Accidents
Your child will have accidents. This is inevitable during childhood. They are active explorers & this does result in bumps & scrapes. All accidents that staff are aware of will be documented, & you will be informed.
Biting
They may get bitten, or bite someone else. Biting is a common occurrence. It can be a way of expressing frustration or excitement when children lack the language skills to communicate effectively. Other reasons include teething or oral exploration.
Lost Items
They may lose something; items may be misplaced, duplicated, mistakenly go home with another child. We advise to minimize items from home, & name-label all belongings.
Dirty clothes
They will get mucky! Nursery offers a range of activities to aid your child’s development, and the majority result in mess! Mealtimes, arts & crafts, outside playing on the grass and in the mud kitchen, sensory play with water – the list is long, and lots of fun!
“When I use pens to make marks, sometimes I get the ink on me, but I am learning how to hold my pen, & I am developing my writing & drawing skills.“
“At mealtimes sometimes I drop some of the food onto myself, but this is because I try really hard to use my cutlery properly.”
“When I play outside, sometimes I get grass stains & mud on me, but I am developing my gross motor skills by running, jumping and climbing, and my imagination and language in the mud kitchen.“
“When I take part in arts & crafts, sometimes I accidentally get paint & glue on me as I create my masterpieces, but I am progressing with expressing myself, developing my colour-mixing skills & my co-ordination.“
“As part of our toothbrushing club, sometimes I might get toothpaste on me, but I am learning how important it is to look after my teeth.”
“When I play in the water sometimes my clothes get a little bit wet, but I learn lots of different things about science & maths while I experiment with pouring, emptying & filling.“