Parent's experience: starting nursery

Mum Emma talks to CBeebies Grown-ups about her experience of her daughter Fianna, aged two starting at nursery…

Why did you choose the nursery that you did for your little girl?

My daughter Fianna originally went to a child-minder from the age of twelve months, but just after her 2^nd birthday my husband and I decided to look around for a nursery because we felt as if a change of environment might benefit her.

After researching local nurseries, I shortlisted 3 and went to see them with my mum and Fianna. When we visited the one we eventually sent Fianna to, well, really it chose us! As soon as we got there, Fianna’s face lit up and off she went. We spent just under an hour there and everything was ticking the right boxes. The staff I met were so understanding and approachable, and answered all my questions. The location was excellent, the outside space was great, and the staff were brilliant. The nursery’s Ofsted report was excellent and it had also come highly recommended by some friends.

How did you feel on the first day?

I felt extremely nervous on Fianna’s first day. We’d decided on a half day first, and planned that if Fianna settled she would progress to full days straight away. The 4.5 hours Fianna was at the nursery that day, I didn’t relax at all. I was a bag of nerves, which did make me feel silly!

When I picked her up...well, my lovely happy smiling daughter just did not want to leave. The staff said how well she had got on, settled in immediately and adapted so well to the new environment. Fianna progressed to full days straight away, and by the time we got to the car, she was already asking when we would be returning to big school!

Did you do anything to prepare Fianna for starting nursery?

For a few days before Fianna started, I began referring to her being a big girl and starting her new ‘big school’. I made it into a new adventure; we bought some new big girl’s shoes, she was allowed to choose a new rucksack and she helped me pack it. By her first day, she was practically running out of the car with her new shoes and rucksack, she was very excited!

How did Fianna settle into her new situation? Did you have any worries?



I am so proud of my little girl. She has settled in excellently and goes to nursery every morning with a big smile on her face and when I pick her up every evening, she is radiating happiness. After going to the child-minder, I was very concerned about how Fianna would settle into an environment with so many more children – but I need not have worried. Slowly but surely, Fianna has settled down and is making friends, and we receive nothing but positive feedback each and every day!

What has been the best thing about Fianna starting nursery?

Seeing her happy and full of joy is such a relief for me. Her speech and development has come on in leaps and bounds, and when her first 6 week report was reviewed, she was actually ahead in some of the EYFS stages. She’s more confident, and is showing great interest in painting, reading and trying new foods!

How did your own experience of education compare with your child’s experience?

I had to ask my mum about this one! I was at a child-minder part time when my mum went back to work, which was when I was around 2 years old. Nurseries in the part of London where I was brought up were very expensive, and child-minders weren’t regulated as much as they are now. My mum said I went to a pre-school when I turned 3. She feels that the confidence that Fianna has and her ability to adapt are more advanced compared to how I was at the same age.

Having experienced your little girl starting nursery, is there anything you would do differently?

The whole experience has taught me to trust my own instincts and judgement when it comes to my daughter. I was originally a bit nervous of nurseries and worried about whether she would be safe…would she be monitored…would the staff care for her, would she be left alone....but how wrong was I? Had I known just how wonderful and how beneficial to my child’s development it would be, I would have had her in the nursery from day one. I am so confident in the nursery and Fianna’s so settled and happy that I am returning to work full time in September.

Read about other parents' experiences of their children beginning education...

Starting school: Beate & Lucas

Starting home education: Alice & Toby

Starting school with special needs: Chris & Harriet

Starting school - the teacher's story: Susan

Our interactive guides are oacked with advice:

How will I cope with my child's first day at school?

Is my child emotionally ready for school?

Are you in a similar sitatuation to our CBeebies parents? Join the chat on CBeebies Grown-ups Facebook or Twitter pages.