As a mum preparing for my own baby’s nursery start, I know first-hand how big this decision feels. The thought of leaving your baby in someone else’s care — even for a few hours a day — feels huge. You want to know they’ll be safe, loved, and ready for this next step.
Like many parents, I found myself wondering:
- Is my baby ready for nursery?
- How do I know if it’s the right time?
- Will they be happy and secure?
- What if they’re not ready yet?
These questions are especially common for parents in the UK as we near the end of maternity leave and start planning childcare. Nursery readiness isn’t always clear-cut, and it can feel hard to judge — especially if, like me, you’ve been your baby’s main caregiver until now.
After hours of research and conversations with other mums and nursery staff, I’ve pulled together this practical, non-judgemental guide to help you assess whether nursery care is a good fit for your baby right now — and what you can do to support their transition.
What Does Nursery Readiness Really Mean?
Nursery readiness isn’t a pass/fail test. There’s no exact age or milestone that says your baby is definitely ready. Some babies start at 9–12 months, others closer to 18 months or beyond.
Readiness depends on:
- Your baby’s temperament
- Current stage of emotional development
- The quality of the nursery setting
- Your family routine and support system
The good news? Readiness isn’t fixed. Babies develop quickly, and with the right support, they often adapt more smoothly than we expect.
Signs Your Baby Might Be Ready for Nursery
Here’s what I found through research and real mum experiences in the UK:
- Enjoys being around other people
If your baby shows curiosity about new faces or enjoys playgroups, that’s a good sign. - Can tolerate short separations
If they’re okay being held or comforted by someone else for short periods, nursery is a natural next step. - Comforted by familiar routines
Babies who settle into daily patterns (even flexible ones) tend to adapt well to nursery structure. - Enjoys sensory play and exploration
An interest in toys, music, messy play, and new experiences suggests your baby may enjoy nursery activities. - Can recover from new situations
Your baby might fuss at first but calms down reasonably quickly — a positive sign of adaptability.
Signs Your Baby May Need a Slower Start (But Not a No!)
- High separation anxiety
If your baby becomes extremely distressed during short goodbyes at home, they may need a gentler transition. - Only settles with one caregiver
If you’re the only one who can consistently comfort them, nursery might feel overwhelming at first. - Sensitive temperament
Some babies are more sensitive to noise, crowds, and changes in routine. They may take longer to adjust. - Overwhelmed in busy environments
If baby groups feel too much, then nursery might too — at least initially.
Parent Tip:
None of these are permanent barriers. They just mean your baby may need a gradual settling process and closer emotional support in those early weeks.
Will My Sensitive Baby Settle in Nursery?
I’ll be honest: My baby is a bit on the sensitive side — or maybe I’m the sensitive one! Until now, she’s only ever been cared for by me and her dad — and only for short periods at that. The thought of her being in nursery, away from the comfort of familiar arms, made me really nervous.
Would she cope with the noise? Would she feel secure with new carers? Would she miss us too much?
Rather than sit in that anxiety, I wanted to approach this decision practically. I went looking for research-backed guidance on how sensitive babies respond to nursery care, and whether there were signs to watch for to understand if she was ready — or if she’d need a slower, gentler start.
What I found was reassuring.
The UK’s SEED study (Study of Early Education and Development) — one of the largest research projects on childcare and early years in the UK — found that high-quality nursery care supports children’s emotional well-being, even for babies who start off more sensitive.
The key factor? The quality of the relationship between the child and their carers at nursery.
Babies with sensitive temperaments might take a little longer to settle, and they might need more emotional support in the early weeks, but given time and consistency, they form secure bonds with their nursery caregivers. These relationships can provide emotional security alongside the care they get at home.
That gave me real confidence to focus on what matters most:
- Watch for signs of progress over time, not instant perfection.
- Prioritise the key worker relationship.
- And giving my baby the space and support to settle at her own pace.
Parent Tip:
If your baby is sensitive or has had limited caregivers, don’t panic. What matters most is the quality of the care they receive and the strength of the relationship they build with their nursery carers. Sensitive babies often thrive in nursery once they feel safe and supported.
Can You Help Your Baby Get Nursery-Ready?
Yes — and this is where you have real power as a parent.
Practical steps:
- Start gentle separations at home (e.g., leaving the room briefly and returning with a smile).
- Attend baby classes or playgroups to get used to new environments.
- Talk about nursery routines as you prepare.
- Use nursery settling sessions as gradual exposure (build from short visits).
Planning for a Gradual Start
Not every family has flexibility, but if you do, it can make a real difference.
Personally, I’m using accrued holiday from maternity leave to give us flexibility in the early weeks of nursery. I’ll start by using my annual leave to support a gradual transition if we need it — shorter nursery sessions to help my baby settle at her own pace. After those first few weeks, I’ll continue using my leave to work three days a week while looking after my baby at home for the other two days. It’s giving us breathing space during this big adjustment, and I’m really grateful to have that option.
If you’re employed in the UK, you’ll have continued to accrue your usual annual leave while on maternity leave. Statutory annual leave is 28 days for full-time workers, which includes bank holidays, but if your contract gives you bank holidays on top, you should accrue those too.
It’s worth checking your company policy to see exactly what you’ve built up and how you can use it to ease your nursery transition.
Note:
While all UK employees accrue holiday during maternity leave, flexibility on how you use it depends on your employer’s policy.
What If My Baby Struggles With Nursery?
Even with preparation, some babies find nursery emotionally challenging at first. The good news is, most babies do adjust over time.
Signs of positive progress:
- Drop-offs gradually become easier
- Baby begins to engage with staff and activities
- Emotionally settled at home after nursery days
- Sleep and feeding stabilise after early wobbles
If after 4–6 weeks you’re still seeing high distress, no connection with staff, or signs of emotional exhaustion at home, it’s worth reassessing.
Start by speaking to your nursery team — usually, your baby’s key worker is the best first point of contact, as they know your child most closely day to day. You can also ask to speak with the room leader or the nursery manager if you want to understand broader settling strategies or adjustments they can make. Good nurseries will welcome these conversations and work with you to ease the transition.
Options include:
- Slowing the pace of settling
- Reducing nursery days temporarily
- Considering alternative care like nanny-share or home care
Parent Tip:
What matters most is progress, not perfection. If things improve over time, even slowly, you’re on the right track.
Bonus Tip: Ask Other Parents!
One of the most helpful things I did was reach out to local mums through WhatsApp groups. Parents are often more than happy to share honest experiences about nursery life, staff relationships, and how their own children adjusted. It gave me a grounded, real-world perspective beyond policies and reports.
Next Step: Track Your Child’s Readiness and Settling-In Progress
Every child’s journey to nursery is unique. To help you feel confident and stay proactive, I’ve created two free, practical resources:
Nursery Readiness Checklist
Use this before you start nursery to reflect on your baby’s temperament and needs, and to feel prepared for the transition.
Settling-In Log Template
Track how your baby adjusts during those important first weeks of nursery, so you can spot patterns, progress, and any areas where they might need extra support.
These tools are simple, parent-friendly, and designed to give you peace of mind as you navigate this big milestone.
Final Thoughts: Trust Your Instincts and Watch for Progress
There’s no perfect formula for nursery readiness — every child is different, and every family’s circumstances are unique. What matters most is that you stay tuned in to your child, trust your instincts, and look for steady progress over time.
It’s normal to feel a little anxious (I certainly did!). But with practical steps, open conversations with your nursery, and a bit of flexibility, you can make this transition smoother for both of you.
Remember, you’re not alone in this.
Many parents have stood exactly where you are now, wondering if it’s the right time. Trust that you know your baby best, take it one step at a time, and give yourself grace along the way.
And don’t forget — you can download my free Nursery Readiness Checklist and Settling-In Log to help you feel a little more organised and confident as you start this next chapter.
Disclaimer:
This post is for informational purposes only and reflects general advice for UK parents. It does not replace professional safeguarding guidance or individual legal advice. Always check your nursery’s policies and consult your employer regarding your holiday rights and flexibility.
