Nursery worries: How we help to manage separation anxiety

Starting nursery is a huge moment for any family. For many parents, it’s the first time their child will spend an extended period of time in someone else’s care, and understandably, this can bring a mix of emotions, including worry, sadness and guilt. One of the most common concerns is separation anxiety – this can occur in both children and parents.

Whether you’re feeling excited about the idea of putting your child in nursery, slightly unsure, or a mix of both, you’re not alone. We understand and we’re here to offer support whilst helping your child build confidence, connection and joy throughout their Early Years education journey.

What is separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a normal part of a child’s development, which often begins when babies are around 6-8 months old, especially as they become more aware of the world around them. It can resurface when a slightly older child starts experiencing new environments and transitions, such as starting nursery or spending time in less familiar settings, such as play groups.

A child experiencing separation anxiety might cry, cling during goodbyes, or feel distressed when you leave. Although these behaviours are challenging and not easy to see, they are a completely normal response to change. The good news is that there are simple and effective ways to ease the transition into nursery for both children and parents.

How we help at Grandir UK

We know that experiencing your child’s separation anxiety can be difficult for the whole family, and our trained nursery practitioners are here to help. Offering gentle and personalised support through this stage, here’s how they help your child adjust to the nursery environment with care and confidence.

Strong bonds between your child and a key person

At every Grandir UK nursery, your child will be paired with a dedicated key person, a familiar face and primary caregiver who will build a trusting and nurturing relationship with your child. This connection is essential as your child begins to spend more time away from home and helps them feel safe, loved and understood.

Creating a consistent routine

Having a predictable daily routine can make all the difference when it comes to easing a child’s anxiety – a consistent routine helps children feel calm and in control of their day. From drop-offs to mealtimes and sleep, our structured days allow children to enter a comfortable rhythm that supports emotional well-being, especially during those important first few weeks of starting nursery.

Warm and welcoming environments

Our nursery settings are meticulously designed to offer a warm, welcoming and comforting home-from-home environment where children feel at ease. Children are greeted by friendly faces, soft furnishings, and activities that encourage connections with other children, helping them feel comfortable in their new environment.

Settling-in sessions

Settling-in sessions are offered by all Grandir UK nurseries. These are one to two-hour sessions where children can get familiar with the nursery setting before their official start date. During the session, families and children will be introduced to their key worker, who will take the time to get to know them on a personal level, making everyone as comfortable as possible in their new environment. If your child has a favourite toy, we recommend bringing this along to the session and/or the first couple of nursery days for added comfort.

Regular communication with parents

We know it’s hard to be apart from your child, especially in the early stages (it’s completely normal to feel anxious); that’s why we keep you consistently updated. We use the Grandir UK app, where nursery practitioners share real-time updates on your child’s day, from meals and naps to milestones, moods, and even nappy changes. Whether your child is smiling, playing, or just having a quiet moment, we’ll make sure you feel connected and supported every step of the way.

Emotional support through play

As well as learning through play, children also express their emotions through it too. We use stories, role play, toys and other activities to explore themes like saying goodbye, missing a family member, and being in someone else’s care. These gentle and fun methods can help children process their anxiety and develop healthy coping skills.

Supporting parents too

Letting go, even for a short period of time, can be one of the hardest things for any family. This unnerving feeling is a normal part of parenthood, and at Grandir UK, we’re here to offer more support for you too.

Here are a few ways to help make the transition to nursery easier:

• Keep goodbyes short and loving. Long farewells can heighten anxiety. A simple hug, kiss or ritual can offer enough comfort.
• Try introducing short separations to help your child get used to being away from you. This might be at play groups or with a trusted friend, or a family member.
• Talk about nursery positively. This will make your child realise that nursery is a positive time where they’ll meet other children, learn, play and have fun!
• Be kind to yourself. Separation anxiety isn’t just a thing that affects children – it’s completely okay to feel emotional. You’re doing something incredibly important for your child’s development, and your feelings matter too.

Starting nursery is the beginning of a magical new chapter. While the early days might be filled with some tears and hard goodbyes, they’re often followed by beautiful moments of joy, growth and discovery. With patience, support and a little help from the caring teams at Grandir UK nurseries, children (and families!) soon find their feet and flourish.