How Can Starting Nursery Affect a Child’s Development?
Starting at nursery is a big milestone for both children and parents. For some children, it is their first experience of spending regular time away from their parents or main caregivers. Starting nursery can bring a range of new experiences that support a child’s development.
Through play, conversations, routines and relationships, a good early years setting can help children develop their communication, social skills, confidence and independence. In England, nurseries and other registered early years providers follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which covers children’s learning, development and care from birth to five.
Of course, every child is different; some children settle quickly into nursery, while others need more time and reassurance. Starting nursery can also temporarily bring changes in behaviour, emotions or routines as children adjust to their new surroundings. These changes do not necessarily mean that nursery is having a negative effect; transitions can simply take time.
What Are the Benefits of Starting Nursery?
For many children, nursery provides a valuable combination of play, relationships, routine and new experiences. It can give them opportunities to:
- Develop friendships and social skills
- Practise communication and language
- Become more independent
- Develop confidence and self-esteem
- Learn about emotions and relationships
- Develop physical and coordination skills
- Explore their interests through play
- Learn to listen and follow instructions
- Experience routines outside the home
- Develop skills that will support their transition to school
Can Nursery Help a Child Become More Independent?
Starting nursery can also encourage children to become more independent. Being in a different environment from home gives them opportunities to try things for themselves, often with encouragement.
Depending on their age and stage of development, this might include putting on their coat, washing their hands, tidying toys away, choosing an activity or helping themselves to resources. These might seem like small tasks, but they give children opportunities to practise making decisions and completing tasks independently.
Independence is an important part of early childhood development. The EYFS recognises that young children are developing their autonomy and learning to express preferences and make decisions.
How Can Nursery Support Language and Communication?
Nursery can provide children with lots of opportunities to hear and use language throughout the day. Conversations, songs, stories, role play and interactions with other children all give children opportunities to communicate.
Being around other children can also encourage them to use language for different purposes. They may need to explain what they are doing, ask for something, respond to a question, join a game or tell another child about an idea.
The quality of these interactions is particularly important. The Department for Education's early years guidance emphasises that back-and-forth interactions with adults and other children form important foundations for language development, while conversations, storytelling, reading and play can help children develop their vocabulary and communication skills.
Therefore, nursery isn't simply about children being surrounded by lots of people. A good setting provides meaningful interactions where adults listen to children, respond to them and introduce new language in ways that relate to their interests and experiences.
Does Nursery Help With Emotional Development?
Starting nursery can give children opportunities to develop their emotional awareness and learn how to manage different feelings.
This doesn't mean children will suddenly stop having tantrums or become completely confident and independent. In fact, starting nursery can initially bring some big emotions. A child may feel excited one day and upset the next, particularly while they are still becoming familiar with their new surroundings.
Supportive relationships with the nursery team can help children feel safe and understood. Over time, children can learn to recognise and name emotions, communicate how they feel and begin to develop strategies for managing those feelings.
Personal, social and emotional development is one of the three prime areas of the EYFS. Warm and supportive relationships can help children understand their own feelings, develop confidence and learn to relate positively to others.
Can Starting Nursery Improve a Child’s Confidence?
For some children, nursery can be an important opportunity to build confidence.
Trying something new, making a friend, joining a group activity or completing a task independently can all give children a sense of achievement. Over time, these small experiences can help children feel more comfortable exploring their surroundings and trying unfamiliar activities.
However, confidence doesn't develop at exactly the same rate for every child. A child who is initially shy or hesitant may simply need more time before they feel comfortable joining in.
How Does Nursery Support Physical Development?
Nursery also provides opportunities for children to develop their physical skills through active play.
Running, climbing, balancing, jumping, dancing and playing outdoors can help children practise gross motor skills. Smaller activities such as drawing, painting, threading, building with blocks and handling toys can support fine motor development.
Physical development is one of the three prime areas of the EYFS, and is an important part of children's health, fitness and wider learning.
For young children, much of this learning happens naturally through play rather than formal lessons. A child might be developing their balance while climbing, practising coordination while throwing a ball or strengthening fine motor control while using crayons.
What If My Child Finds Starting Nursery Difficult?
It is completely understandable for parents to worry if their child struggles with the transition into nursery.
Some children may cry at drop-off, become clingier at home or seem particularly tired after their nursery sessions. Others might settle quickly. There isn't one universal response to starting nursery, and children can take different amounts of time to adjust.
Having a consistent routine can help. Talking positively about nursery and giving your child plenty of reassurance can also make the transition easier.
Is Nursery Good for a Child’s Development?
Nursery can have a positive role in a child's development when children receive high-quality care, responsive interactions and opportunities to play and learn. It can provide experiences that complement what children learn at home, particularly around communication, relationships, independence and social development.
That doesn't mean every child needs to attend nursery to develop well. Children can thrive in a range of caring environments, and what matters most is that they have responsive adults, opportunities to interact, play, communicate and explore.
For parents, choosing a nursery is about finding a setting where their child feels safe, valued, supported and encouraged to learn.
Starting nursery is a big step, but it can also be an exciting one. With the right support, those first experiences away from home can help children develop the confidence, relationships and skills they will continue to build throughout their early years.
If you’re looking for nurseries in Exeter, Acorns Nursery Exeter is here to support your child’s development and encourage them to try new things every day!