A Guide to Returning to Work with the Help of a Day Nursery

After taking leave as a parent to look after your child, it can be incredibly challenging to make the move back to work. You might find the process difficult emotionally, and your child might struggle with the big change too. Luckily, nursery services can often help to make the process more simple and smooth. Below, you discover how a day nursery can effectively support you as you return to work.

Choosing a Day Nursery

When making the move back to work, it’s important for you to know your child will be well looked after. It’s important, therefore, to choose a day nursery that will effectively support your child. Consider your needs from a day nursery, such as their location, opening hours, and the age group they cater to. Additionally, it’s worth considering the Ofsted rating that the nursery has been awarded, giving you an idea of the quality of their nursery services.

Preparing Emotionally

Making a big change can take a toll on your emotions, so it’s important to be gentle with yourself as you return to work. Recognising your feelings, therefore, is essential. It’s perfectly normal to feel a wide range of emotions, from anxiety and guilt to excitement. Similarly, it’s often beneficial to communicate to your employer how you’re feeling, as doing so can provide you with some extra support.

Take Things Slow

If you can, try to take things slow. While it’s not an option for every parent, often it can be helpful to steadily return to work, slowly increasing the hours you work and the time your child spends in their day nursery. Many day nurseries offer flexible hours, meaning you can find a solution that suits your current needs and can be shifted and changed alongside your circumstances.

Settle Your Child Into a New Routine

As you gradually return to work, this means changing your current routine. Often, for young children, this process can be confusing and distressing. That’s why it’s important to gently settle your child into a new routine, adjusting and making changes as you go and where you see fit. This will likely include new bathtimes, feeding times, and bedtimes. By establishing a new routine, your child can become accustomed to large changes more easily.

How We Can Help

Here at Blue Nest Montessori School, we help parents to get back to their careers, while ensuring their children are well looked after and their development is prioritised. Our team offers nursery services for children aged between 3 months old to 5 years old. With nurseries in Harrow, Pinner and Borehamwood, we use play-based learning to help the children in our care to learn at a pace that is right for them. To learn more about us and the Montessori method, please visit our website. Alternatively, for further support, please get in touch with us directly.