Learning outdoors at Bassett House
HOMEWORK FOR PARENTS
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First weeks at nursery can be an anxious time for parents and young children, but help is at hand, says Victoria Lambert
You will know if a place is right as you walk around it.’ One question ropping off a child at nursery for the first time can be highly emotional – on all sides. Yet, choose wisely and ask the right Gray says is perfectly normal, and indeed expected, is where can parents questions, and the event will turn into a highly rewarding realistically expect their child to go on to after this particular nursery. experience for everyone. ‘Parents are often looking several steps ahead,’ she says. ‘It’s not uncommon But that can depend on what happens at home as well as for us to find parents anxious about 11+ when a child is just coming into in the nursery setting. Experts point out there are lots of ways to help pre-school. We explain that by the time their child is due to leave, we will young children settle into the early have a thorough understanding of them years experience. Plus, parents can be and where they should go next. We are perfectly placed to give that guidance.’ supportive around the start of education too – without becoming Tiger Mums. Once your child starts at nursery, typically at age four, you can expect It all starts with making the right choice in the first place. Kelly Gray, settling in to take a little time, says Gill Head of Bassett House, part of the Dukes Whiteside, Head of Little Chepstow Education group in west London, says it’s Nursery School in Notting Hill. important you visit potential nurseries ‘We work very closely with parents,’ Gill Whiteside, Head of Little Chepstow and get to know them and their heads. says Whiteside, ‘on the settling in process Nursery School, Notting Hill ‘I take a lot of time showing parents and encourage parents to be positive around and answering all their questions,’ about starting nursery as we have seen she says, adding that it is a job she refuses to deputise to other staff. anxiety really rubbing off on children. ‘It is an exciting time and children ‘At Dukes, we feel strongly that it is the head whom the parents want to generally take two-to-three weeks to settle so don’t expect it from day one.’ meet as it is their vision you are buying into.’ Your parental homework at this point is to make sure your son or She adds: ‘It is always about gut feel, not what your friends are saying. daughter is ready for this new chapter.
It is an exciting time and children generally take two to three weeks to settle, so don’t expect it from day one.
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