A Guide to Preparing your Child for Nursery School

The first day at nursery school is a major event for both mother and child, as it heralds the beginning of the maternal separation, and it is perfectly natural for both parties to feel apprehensive as the time approaches. Mother and child have been inseparable since the birth, and soon they will be spending time apart, and with that in mind, here are some useful tips on preparing both you and your child for the up and coming first day at nursery school.

Sourcing the Right Day Care Centre

A nursery school is far more than simply a safe place to deposit your toddler while you reclaim your career, and when searching for a suitable venue, take your time and do some research. The ideal nursery would have a soft room, lots of resources, and with the focus on guided exploration, the children are able to learn in a safe and secure environment. If you are thinking “how will I find a nursery near me”, an online search will bring up a list of day care centres that are within driving distance of your home. The geographical location is obviously important, but it shouldn’t be the deciding factor, and another 10-15 minutes in the car is nothing if it means your child will be in a more suitable learning environment.

Change the Routine

As the day approaches when your child will first experience the day care facility, you should change your routine to include walks outside, as this will allow the child to be accustomed to new environments, and this is likely to reduce fear of something new. Another good idea is to have a family member be with the child, while you spend time in another part of the home, which will familiarise your absence, and if this can be done in a new environment, like a friend’s house, so much the better.

Discuss the Nursery

By talking to your child about the new and exciting place they will soon be visiting, you are preparing them to a degree, and by outwardly appearing calm and relaxed, your child will not be too apprehensive.

The First Day

Assuming that you have already visited on your own at least once, the big day will not be too stressful for you, and the carers are used to the first day syndrome and they have many techniques to keep the child engaged while mum disappears into the background. It might feel natural to hang around, and if your child is showing no signs of stress, it does no harm to observe from a distance, but at the right moment, mum has to turn her thoughts to the up and coming day, safe in the knowledge that junior is enjoying every minute of the new and exciting environment.

More often than not, it is the mother who suffers from this enforced separation, and the key to eliminating that is finding the right nursery.  If a child does have a negative reaction to mum’s disappearance, this is very short lived, and before they know it, they are back in mum’s company.