Starting Nursery
Some children cope easily with new experiences and settle into an early years setting quickly. Other children will find it hard to settle, or might have special circumstances that make it tricky for them to relax and be happy in your setting. On this page, you will find tips and advice for helping all kinds of new starters as they begin their time at your setting.
Top tips for easing separation anxiety
- Encourage parents and carers to be confident when dropping off their child. For example, a smile, a kiss and a promise to collect them later, rather than a prolonged and tearful departure.
- Encourage the other children to help any new child to settle in – this can help distract them much quicker.
- Acknowledge the child’s emotions, for example, ‘I can see that you’re feeling really sad’, and do not be afraid to give them a cuddle or a hug as you feel is needed.
- Find ways to link the home and the setting. A diary for parents and practitioners to share what the child has been doing can be helpful.
Top tips for building children’s social skills
- Find a ‘special friend’ or ‘buddy’ – one child at your setting who gets on well with the shy child to build confidence.
- Give plenty of smiles and put lots of tone in your voice to help the child learn how to read non-verbal signals. This is a key skill in socialisation.
- Build up confidence slowly with a series of small steps.
- Give the child some volunteer tasks to boost their self-esteem.
Advice and Resources
You can find a range of resources, articles and advice on the Scholastic Resource Bank.
