The first days at nursery can be harder for parents than for children. Watching your toddler cry at drop-off, wondering all morning whether they’ve settled — it takes something out of you. At ME Montessori Nursery Aylesbury, we’ve supported hundreds of families through this transition, and there are things that genuinely make a difference.
What to Expect in the First Week
Some children settle immediately — they walk in, find something interesting, and barely notice you leave. Most take longer. Some cry at drop-off for several days. A few take two to three weeks to feel fully at ease. All of this is normal, and none of it predicts how your child will feel in a month’s time.
What you’re watching for isn’t whether your child cries at drop-off — it’s whether they’re happy within the session. A child who cries for two minutes at the gate and then spends the morning absorbed in activity is settling well. The drop-off distress is about the moment of separation; it doesn’t reflect how the child experiences the rest of the day.
Your key person will update you after each session during the settling period. At ME Montessori, we take this communication seriously — you shouldn’t have to wonder.
The Settling-In Process at ME Montessori
We use a graduated settling-in process. Your child’s first sessions are short and often involve you staying in the room. Gradually, we extend the sessions and increase the time your child spends without you. This isn’t rushed — we follow the child’s lead, not a fixed timetable.
Your child’s key person will spend time getting to know your child before the full sessions begin: their interests, their comfort objects, their signals when they’re tired or overwhelmed. The more information you share with us in the early weeks, the better we can support your child.
What Actually Helps at Home
Keep goodbyes brief and confident. A long, drawn-out goodbye signals to your child that there’s something to be worried about. A warm, matter-of-fact goodbye — “I love you, I’ll be back after lunch” — conveys that this is safe and normal, even when it doesn’t feel it. Then go. Don’t linger at the window.
Establish a consistent goodbye ritual. Children find transitions easier when they’re predictable. A specific hug, a particular phrase, a hand-over to their key person — the same sequence every time becomes a signal that everything is okay.
Talk about nursery positively at home — but don’t over-interrogate. “What did you do today?” often gets a blank response from toddlers. “Did you see your friend at nursery?” or “I wonder if the painting corner was busy today” tends to open more conversation.
Trust the process. If your child is happy when you collect them, if the staff know them and communicate warmly, if the environment is calm and purposeful — it’s working, even if drop-offs remain hard for a while.
When to Talk to Us
If your child is distressed throughout sessions (not just at drop-off), if they’re regressing significantly at home, or if you have any concerns at all — tell us. We would always rather have that conversation early.
We’re at Bedgrove Community Centre, Bedgrove Park, Ambleside, Aylesbury, HP21 9TT. Call 07873 403672 or email [email protected].
For local families comparing options, see our Montessori nursery in Aylesbury, Bedgrove nursery and book a private tour. ME Montessori Nursery and Pre-School is based at Bedgrove Community Centre, Ambleside, Aylesbury HP21 9TT.
