Starting nursery soon? What to actually expect in the first few weeks
Starting nursery can feel like a big milestone.
It's often not just about childcare. It's packing the tiny backpack, doing the first drop-off, wondering how they're getting on all day, and suddenly realising you're entering a completely new stage of parenting.
Some children walk straight in without looking back.
Others need a bit more time.
And then sometimes by the end of the first week everyone has a cold.
If your little one is starting nursery soon, here's what tends to come up in those first few weeks — and what can help it feel a bit less overwhelming.
The First Few Weeks Can Feel Harder Than Expected
For some children nursery clicks quickly.
For others it takes time.
And both are completely normal.
They might:
cry at drop-off
eat less than usual there
nap differently than they do at home
seem extra clingy afterwards
be completely exhausted by the end of the day
Sometimes nursery will tell you they had a lovely day while they come home tired, emotional and attached to your leg for the entire evening.
That doesn't necessarily mean nursery isn't working.
Big changes take energy.
Even children who seem settled can need time to adjust to new people, new routines and being away from home.
If sleep feels a little off during this stage too, some of the behaviours can look surprisingly similar to what I covered in Overtired or Undertired? — especially the extra clinginess and bedtime struggles.
The early weeks can feel wobbly, but often not because anything is going wrong.
The Nursery Bugs Are Real
Usually much more real than anyone warns you about.
When children start nursery they're suddenly exposed to lots of new viruses through shared toys, close contact and group activities.
It can feel like:
constant runny noses
coughs that pass through the whole family
disrupted sleep from congestion
eating less when poorly
recovering from one cold just in time to catch the next
The first year is often the hardest.
That doesn't mean they'll always be ill, but the adjustment period can be rough.
If your little one catches one of those first nursery colds, my Baby's First Cold guide covers some of the simple things that can help when they're congested and generally feeling miserable.
I also found it helpful to have a few basics ready before nursery starts. That's one of the reasons I put together my Mum's First Aid Kit guide — so you're not searching for a thermometer at 2am when everyone is exhausted.
And if they're sleeping differently when poorly or feeling unusually warm, you might also find Signs Baby Is Too Hot or Too Cold useful.
What helps: Products I actually used
Wet bags — handy for messy clothes and accidents
Digital thermometer. Worth having one reliable thermometer instead of trying to find one when everyone’s already stressed.
Saline spray. Especially useful during nursery cold season.
Frida Baby NoseFrida nasal aspirator. Probably the most useful thing we bought during colds.
Name labels — save a surprising amount of confusion
What To Pack For Nursery
Packing for nursery feels like one of those things everyone else somehow already knows how to do.
Thankfully most nurseries provide a list of what they expect you to bring.
But these are the things that are commonly useful.
Everyday
spare clothes
labelled coat
comforter or dummy if they use one
water bottle
Depending on Your Nursery
nappies and wipes
wet bag
snack or packed lunch
any required medications or creams
This might include:
nappy cream
eczema cream
inhalers
prescribed medication
My biggest tip?
Label more than you think you need to.
The cardigan you're convinced won't get mixed up somehow always does.
If you're already carrying half the house every time you leave the front door, you might like my Leaving the House With a Baby guide too. A lot of the same organisation tricks apply to nursery bags.
Final thought
Starting nursery can feel emotional in ways you don't expect.
Sometimes it goes smoothly.
Sometimes the drop-offs feel hard.
Sometimes they barely eat lunch and come home with a cold by Friday.
Usually it's a mix of all three.
The good news is that most children find their feet with time.
And most parents do too.
This isn’t professional advice — just a simple breakdown of what I’ve found helpful.
Most of this is easier to understand visually.
I’ve put all my guides into one place so you can browse them properly.
FAQs
How long does it take a child to settle into nursery?
Some children settle within a few days, while others need a few weeks. Both are completely normal and don't necessarily predict how much they'll enjoy nursery long term.
Is it normal for my child to cry at nursery drop-off?
Yes. Some children cry at handover and settle quickly once they start playing. Nursery staff see this every day.
Why is my child eating less at nursery?
New environments, distractions and different routines can all affect appetite. Many children eat less at first and gradually return to normal.
Do children always get ill after starting nursery?
Not always, but frequent colds are very common during the first year because they're being exposed to lots of new viruses.
What's the most important thing to pack for nursery?
Spare clothes, comfort items and any required medications are usually the essentials. Your nursery will normally provide a more detailed list before they start.