Apr 25, 2026
At The Old Station Nursery, we believe every child’s journey is unique. By working closely with families, we help children and their parents feel supported at every step of the journey.
If you’re preparing your child for nursery for the first time, it can feel like a daunting step for you and your child.
It’s also the beginning of a new journey. And for many children, nursery is their very first stop – a place where they begin to explore the world beyond home, build confidence, and discover what makes them shine.
You may have lots of questions running through your mind – how will my child settle in? Will they be happy at nursery? How will I feel when I leave them on that first day? All of this is completely natural.
At The Old Station Nursery, we support families through this transition every day. And one of the first things we reassure parents is this: there’s no single perfect way to prepare for nursery – and no single way children respond to it.
Every child is different and that’s okay.
There’s no exact timeline for preparing your child to start nursery.
In the UK, children start at different ages depending on family needs. Many of our centres have babies through to pre-school age. So rather than focusing on what ages kids start nursery, it’s more about when the time feels right for your family.
What matters most isn’t starting early – it’s helping your child feel safe, familiar and supported as the change approaches. A few small steps in the weeks before they start can make a real difference.
Preparing for nursery doesn’t need to feel overwhelming or like a big, one-off event. Simple, everyday moments can help your child build confidence.
Introducing a calm morning routine – getting dressed, having breakfast and heading out – can help make those first few nursery days feel more familiar.
If your child isn’t used to being away from you, short separations with trusted family members or friends can help them learn that it’s only temporary.
Time at the park, playgroups, or with other children can help your child get used to being around others in a relaxed way.
Even very young children benefit from hearing about what to expect – new toys, friendly faces, and a place to play and explore.
Having a consistent, calm goodbye routine helps your child understand what’s happening and builds trust over time.
One of the biggest unknowns for parents is how their child will settle into nursery. The truth is it can look different for every child.
Some children walk in happily from day one. Others may feel unsure at first, especially at drop-off. Many fall somewhere in between – settling well one day before finding it harder the next.
“We often remind our parents that settling in isn’t a straight line. It’s very common for children to have a few wobbly moments, especially in the early days. With time, familiarity and reassurance, most children begin to feel secure and confident in their new environment.”
– Nursery Manager at The Old Station Nursery
Settling-in sessions at nursery can help with these transitions. We offer this gradual approach at our own centres, allowing children to spend short periods in our nurseries before building up to longer days.
What matters most is finding a rhythm that works for your child as they settle into this new chapter.
Whether your child is a baby or a 3-year-old, crying at nursery drop-off is completely normal. This is one of the most common concerns parents have – and one of the most reassuring to answer.
Many children do cry at drop-off, especially when they first start. Starting nursery is their first step into a big world – there’s a lot of unfamiliarity. What often surprises parents is how quickly children settle in once they’re inside, engaged in play and comforted by the familiar faces.
“It’s completely natural for both children and parents to feel emotional at drop-off. We often see children, who are upset when saying goodbye to a parent or guardian, happily playing just a short time later. Building trust takes time, and that’s something we support every day.”
– Nursery Practitioner at The Old Station Nursery
Another common experience when children start nursery is tiredness. Children have so much to take in:
It’s a lot for little ones to process. You might notice:
It’s all a normal part of adjusting to a new routine.
Simple steps at home can help such as:
“Nursery days can feel big at first. Children are learning, playing, socialising and adapting all at once, so it’s very common for them to feel more tired during the early weeks. This usually settles as nursery becomes familiar.”
Most children settle into nursery with time, even if the first few weeks feel emotional. It’s normal to see:
You know what’s best for your child though. If something doesn’t feel quite right, or your child seems persistently unhappy over time, it’s always okay to talk to your nursery team.
A strong partnership between nursery and home can make all the difference.
If you’re still at the stage of exploring different settings, our guide on what questions to ask when visiting a nursery can help you feel more confident about what to look for and what really matters.
Starting nursery is a big step – often the first stop on your child’s journey beyond home and it’s rarely completely smooth from day one. With time, patience and the right support, most children begin to find their feet, becoming confident, comfortable and ready to explore everything a nursery has to offer them.
At The Old Station Nursery, we believe every child’s journey is unique. By working closely with families, we help children and their parents feel supported at every step of the journey. Find your local nursery today.