Starting Nursery: Building Secure Beginnings at Atelier

Accompanying Episode 10 of the Atelier Podcast

For many families, starting nursery marks one of the most significant milestones in early childhood. It is often the first time children spend extended periods away from their parents or carers, and it represents a huge step in their journey towards independence. At Atelier Nursery, we understand that these early experiences can shape a child’s confidence, emotional wellbeing, and attitudes towards learning for years to come. That is why our approach to starting nursery is thoughtful, relationship-led, and centred on creating a deep sense of belonging.

The Role of the Key Person: More Than Just a Friendly Face

In line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), every child at Atelier is assigned a key person but for us, this role goes far beyond regulation. Your child’s key person becomes their significant adult in the nursery, they will take the time to understand their unique personality, interests, and needs. They are there to celebrate small achievements, offer comfort during wobbly moments, and be a consistent presence your child can rely on. Research shows that secure attachments in early years settings help children regulate their emotions, develop resilience, and engage more deeply in play and learning.

Settling Sessions: The Gentle Introduction

We know that every child and family is different, which is why our settling process is flexible and responsive. Rather than expecting children to adapt to a new environment in a single leap, we use settling sessions to gradually build familiarity. These short visits allow children to explore the nursery alongside their parent or carer, meet their key person, and start to develop a sense of belonging within the nursery environment. For parents, these sessions are an important opportunity to ask questions, share details about routines, and observe how their child interacts in the setting.

Building a Partnership Between Home and Nursery

Starting nursery works best when parents and educators work together. We encourage families to share as much as possible about their child’s routines, likes and dislikes, comfort objects, sleep patterns, and interests. This helps us to mirror aspects of home life and provide consistency, which is especially important in the early weeks. We also ensure families receive regular updates through conversations at drop-off and pick-up, as well as photographs and observations so they can feel confident and connected.

What to Expect at Atelier

When you join Atelier, the first thing you will notice is the time and attention we give to truly getting to know your child. We see every child as an individual with their own rhythms, interests, and ways of communicating and we make it our priority to understand them deeply. From those early settling sessions onwards, your child’s key person will observe, listen, and spend unhurried time with them, building a shared trust that will become the foundation for their learning journey.

Our environments support this relationship-focused approach: calm, thoughtfully designed spaces allow educators to be fully present with children, tuning in to their cues and following their lead. This means we can respond to your child’s needs in the moment, adapt routines when necessary, and create experiences that feel both familiar and inspiring.

The more we know your child their favourite play, their comfort items, their moments of pride, and their signs of needing reassurance the better we can work together with you as a family. This partnership between home and nursery ensures that your child experiences a consistent, supportive, and joyful start at Atelier, setting the tone for the months and years ahead.

Supporting Your Child to Start Well: Practical Tips for Parents

• Talk positively about nursery: Use stories and examples that help your child look forward to new experiences.

• Share books about starting nursery: Reading together helps children process the idea and ask questions.

• Create unhurried drop-offs: Allow time for your child to settle without feeling rushed.

At Atelier, we see starting nursery not as a one-off event but as the start of a long and meaningful relationship between your child, your family, and our team. By working together, we can ensure those first steps are filled with confidence, curiosity, and joy.