Any drop off tips for first day of Nursery school?

I decided to enroll my 18 month old in an 18mth - 2yr old nursery program this September.

It will be his first time in this kind of daycare/school/classroom setting. Since my maternity leave ended my mom watched him at my house / her house M-F all day.

Any tips to get him (and me) ready and for the first week and for the first few drop offs?

I am starting to get nervous myself. He's still just a baby so I am talking about school here and there but he definitely doesn't "get it."

Any drop off tips for first day of Nursery school?

I'm a sahm and dd1 was never with anybody other than me, including family or sitters. I started her at about 15 months in a program. It was mommy and me for a few months and then became drop off. She was about 18 months then. Drop off she cried you have to quickly walk out and let the teachers handle it. They'll redirect them. Lingering only makes it worse. I went into the hallway and I also cried. But you have to leave too. Staying there and hearing them cry will make it worse for you too.

They'll be fine and the crying at drop off will eventually stop and then you'll almost miss it when they run into the class and you have to ask them for a hug and kiss goodbye.

Re: Any drop off tips for first day of Nursery school?

Best thing is to leave quickly at drop off. Give a quick kiss goodbye, smile and say mommy will be back soon and leave the room without looking back. Lots of crying is normal for the both of you, just cry outside and not in front of him. After a few drop offs he(and you) will be fine.

Re: Any drop off tips for first day of Nursery school?

What everybody else said.
There is going to be tears, for both of you, just know that is normal and the teachers know how to deal with it and are used to it.
Leave quickly, don't linger and let them cling to you.
I would cry in my car on the way to work on particular bad drop off days.... but those were fewer and further between until she would RUN away from me to see her friends and teachers!

Just know you are doing the best thing for him- getting him used to a school setting and being away from you and family now- the earlier the better- so that when he has to start Pre K, he isn't in shock.

Message edited 8/16/2016 12:26:44 PM.

Any drop off tips for first day of Nursery school?

Crying is normal so don't let it discourage it. My DS cries every time I drop him off at daycare, but by the time I pick him up, he is begging to stay there.

Re: Any drop off tips for first day of Nursery school?

What everyone else said.

It will be harder on you than on your child. But it's so worth it! And give him a few weeks to adjust.

We started DS in day care at the same age. He had a nanny prior to that. The first few weeks were rough, but each day got easier. DD started day care at 11 weeks and she's still easier to drop off than DS! Kids adjust quickly.

Re: Any drop off tips for first day of Nursery school?

-don't prolong the goodbyes. He will cry whether you are there 2 or 20 minutes. Just drop him off and leave

-for dd, it really helped for her to have a transition activity. She always sat in the same chair and started eating Cheerios as I unpacked her stuff. When she went into the nursery room, it was her doing the same puzzle every day.