Your Child's Induction Sessions

Before beginning their regular nursery sessions, children will usually be offered two induction sessions.

These sessions provide an opportunity for children and families to become familiar with the nursery gradually.

Induction Session One

The first induction session is attended with a parent or carer.

This gives your child an opportunity to explore the nursery environment while having the reassurance of a familiar adult close by.

During this session, parents/carers will have the opportunity to:

• meet nursery practitioners
• meet or begin building a relationship with their child's key person
• explore the nursery environment
• discuss their child's routines and interests
• share information about sleep, toileting, eating and comfort
• discuss any medical, dietary or additional needs
• ask questions
• help their child become familiar with the nursery at their own pace.

We encourage children to explore and join in naturally rather than expecting them to participate in particular activities during their first visit.

Induction Session Two

The second induction session is usually attended independently by the child.

This gives your child an opportunity to begin experiencing nursery without their parent/carer while still attending for a shorter period before their full sessions begin.

Their key person and the wider nursery team will support them throughout the session and help them become familiar with the nursery routines.

Parents/carers will be advised about how their child has managed during the session and whether we feel they are ready to begin their regular attendance.

Additional Settling-In Sessions

Some children may need a little longer to feel comfortable before beginning their full nursery attendance.

Where appropriate, we may recommend additional settling-in sessions.

These will be arranged in discussion with the parent/carer and will be based on the individual child's needs.

There is no expectation that every child will settle in the same way or within the same timescale.

Our priority is to support each child to develop secure relationships and feel safe and confident within the nursery environment.

Your Child's Key Person

Every child is supported through a key-person approach.

A key person helps provide continuity and security for the child and develops a close understanding of their:

• personality
• interests
• routines
• development
• communication
• individual needs; 
• relationships with others

While your child's key person has a particularly important role in supporting them, all nursery practitioners work as a team and will know and care for your child.

The key-person relationship also provides an important link between home and nursery.

Helping Your Child Settle

There are some simple things families can do to help prepare children for nursery.

Talking positively about nursery can help children become familiar with what is going to happen.

You might talk about:

• their nursery room;
• playing with other children;
• their teachers and key person;
• playing outdoors;
• stories and songs;
• having meals or snacks;
• Forest School; and
• coming back together at the end of their nursery day.

For younger children, short and simple explanations are often most helpful.

If your child has a particular comfort item, favourite song, special interest or settling routine, please tell us. Familiar information can be extremely helpful when children are adjusting to a new environment.

Saying Goodbye

It is very common for children to become upset when separating from their parent or carer, particularly during the first few sessions.

Our practitioners will support your child sensitively and help them become engaged in familiar or interesting experiences.

Where possible, we encourage parents to use a warm but consistent goodbye routine rather than leaving without saying goodbye.

If your child is finding separation particularly difficult, we will work with you to agree an approach which best supports them.

We will always contact you if we feel your child is significantly distressed or is not beginning to settle.