Sarum Hall tips on getting a child nursery school ready

It can be an anxious time for all. Sarum Hall School takes in 26 new recruits this year.

Here are some tips for when your child starts at nursery.

Don’t overprepare your child

Speaking with your child regularly about starting nursery is important. This might include taking your child for walks to their new school building and getting them excited about their new uniform.

But it’s important not to overprepare a child too. It’s critical that a child doesn’t become anxious, so overpreparing and overexciting them should be avoided.

Meet the teacher: they are on the same team as you!

Sharing information with school staff is really important. Sometimes the smallest snippet of information can really help us to work with a child. It’s key that teachers and parents are on the same team and work seamlessly together.

Work on your child’s self-sufficiency

Try to make sure your child is self-sufficient where possible. Can they put their own socks on yet? Can they carry a plate?

The more you can help your child to be independent with shoes, toileting, eating and socialising the better.

At Sarum Hall we don’t expect children to have mastered any of these things, but an introduction will help them on their way to settling into their new independent life.

Mrs Hooper has lots of advice for the parents of new nursery starters (Image: Sarum Hall School)

Saying goodbye

Often the first week or two of drop-offs are the hardest for both parents and children.

Say goodbye to your child swiftly, calmly and with a smile. But, do not linger!

Accept that your child might cry as you leave them and that it might feel traumatic for you both.

In most cases children will have stopped crying within 10 minutes of a parent leaving and they will soon settle into their new routine and stop being upset at drop off.

As a parent, organise to spend time with a trusted friend after drop off, or call a family member to fill those emotional first moments after saying goodbye.

Staying on top of your own emotions can be tricky, so ensuring your have the right support around you is critical so that you can do the right thing for your child.

Embrace school life!

Embrace school life early and start as you mean to go on.

Label everything, print off important dates and stick them to the fridge and attend information sessions.

Start a school routine that you can keep. Join the parent WhatsApp group and organise playdates with other children from the class. This will help your child socially as well as provide you with much-needed parent peer group support.

Find out a little about what your child will be learning at school so that you can support that learning at home.

No news is good news!

One of the biggest differences between a school nursery and other childcare settings is that the updates to your mobile phone are fewer.

Be assured that the school will get in touch if there is a problem.

Try to see it as a good thing that you aren’t hearing from the school about every meal, toilet trip, or plaster given. 

Be prepared for a very tired child!

A school day can be extremely exhausting.

Try not to plan too many after school activities, and allow for early bedtimes. Be ready for tears and tantrums, and possible sleep disruption.

This doesn’t mean there is a problem, simply that your child needs extra reassurance and support while they make the adjustment to their new routine.

Make the weekend a time to re-establish your relationships as a family, particularly during this exciting time of change.

• Louise Hooper is a teacher at Sarum Hall School Hampstead.