We are really excited to welcome your child at our nursery!

We understand that every child is unique and has had difference experiences e.g. attended another nursery ( full or part time), childminders or others may have not attended a setting at all. Therefore, we believe in a staggered start process, for your child to try and settle into their new class happily. 

We will work closely with parents to ensure that their transition is positive, supportive and smooth. 

How we transition your child at Athelney?

• We will invite you to some stay and play/ drop in sessions for your child to get used to their new learning environment with their parent/carer.
• Each child will then be told their start date
• Depending on each child, some children will be ready to stay for the full session without their parent there or some children may need a longer settling in period e.g. need a shorter session where their parent may stay for a bit, then leave the nursery for a short time and then come back to collect.
  Therefore it may take a few weeks until all of the children have settled into Nursery. If a delayed entry presents any particular problems, please inform a member of staff as soon as possible. The settling in process may take some time, and please do not be despondent if this is the case for your child.

It is worth working closely with the nursery team and investing time and effort into helping your child settle in at the start of Nursery. A positive transition at the beginning of the year can help ensure the rest of the year runs more smoothly.

Lunch

Your child will have lunch at home if they are doing a morning or afternoon session.
ONLY if your child is Full time at nursery we will ask for them to bring in their own pack lunch or you can pay for your child to have a school dinner.
We have midday supervisors to help support your child at lunch and will either call parents/ talk to the teacher if there are concerns. 
 

See below for the current menu that your child may have in September 2026. 

Things you can do to support your child starting nursery 

Useful Info 

As your child will soon be starting school it is important to get them into a good routine for bedtime and sleeping. Click on the link to the document below for some points of advice to consider so that your child gets a good night sleep and wakes up in the morning ready to learn when they come to Nursery.