Settling into a new environment can be a difficult time for any child and their parent so we suggest prior to your child starting you visit a couple of times for an hour or so (no charge will be required for this). This is so your child can get used to their new care environment. We suggest if possible that your child is left with us gradually over a period of time to make it easier for the child once they are left all day.

If your child is unhappy during this time please don’t worry as it may take a while for your child to settle especially if they are not accustomed to spending time apart from you, after a couple of visits they should be ok.

You could maybe bring something familiar from home like a favourite toy or blanket. The first 4 weeks will be classed as a settling in period and if after this time your child fails to settle then we can review the situation and discuss the options.  

We understand how difficult it is for parents to leave their child and return to work. We will therefore work with you to ensure your child is settled and that you are happy with the care that we provide.

During the settling in process we will have opportunity to start to build a relationship with you and your child and to understand both your needs and wishes.

Some children do take longer than others to settle and some settle quickly and then become distressed a few weeks into the placement. We will work with you to support your child through this transition period and make it as easy as possible. It is important that you and your child are relaxed and happy with the care we provide.

Some parents find it helpful to call us during the day to find out how their child is. We are happy to take your calls, but we are sometimes not able to talk for long, or even to answer the telephone if we are attending to a child’s personal needs, for example changing a nappy. So please do not panic if you call and there is no answer.