Whether it’s preschool, playgroup or their first day of nursery – it’s not just a big step in the next chapter of your little one’s world, it’s a big moment for you too. Maybe you're heading back to work, hoping they’ll begin to explore the world on their own, or simply taking the next step in their growing independence, starting nursery is a big milestone. It can stir up all kinds of emotions: pride, nerves, excitement… and yes, the occasional quiet tear. But here’s the beautiful part… nursery is a wonderful step in their journey. It’s where confidence blossoms, friendships form and their sense of the world begins to grow.
With a little preparation (and in true My 1st Years style, a few sweet, personalised touches), this new chapter can begin with joy, reassurance, and, of course, lots of love. From the perfect backpack to set off on this chapter with to how to handle first-day nerves, here’s how to help your tot (and yourself!) for the days ahead.
Have You Got All Their Essentials?
First of all, let’s make sure you’ve got everything they need for their nursery adventure. We’ve already made a helpful packing list if you’re a nursery newbie, but we’ll let you know some of our top essentials here too. Having everything your child needs not only helps their day run smoothly, it reassures you that they’re well-equipped for anything that their nursery day might bring.
Here’s what we’d kit them out with:
- A personalised backpack: Our My 1st Years backpacks are thoughtfully designed for little shoulders, with adjustable straps, easy zips, and just the right amount of room for their daily essentials. Personalised with their name, it’s easy for nursery staff (and your tot!) to spot – reducing the risk of mix-ups and lost items. Bonus: they’ll feel extra proud carrying something that’s truly their own.
- A matching lunchbox and water bottle: Because everything’s better when it’s all your own, right… and that goes for our personalised lunch sets too. Not only do they encourage independence and ownership – helping toddlers identify and manage their own things, but they also make it easier for carers to keep everything organised. Plus, they’re BPA-free, wipe-clean, and have helpful compartments to keep their most-loved snacks organised on the go.
- Spare clothes & wet bag: Nursery days are full of discovery – which usually means a little mess along the way. Packing a change of clothes means you're ready for anything from a muddy garden adventure to an unexpected spill. Psst… we have the most adorable collection of personalised outfits and cosy sweatshirts that are just right for comfy pre-schooler adventurers.
Having everything organised and ready will make you feel less stressed on the day!
Settling In Days & Visiting Ahead of Time
If your nursery offers an open day or a settling-in session, it’s a lovely opportunity to gently introduce your little one to their new surroundings. Let them take a wander through the space, spot a few toys that you can say “wow, you’d love to play with that, wouldn’t you?!”, and see the friendly faces who’ll be part of their day-to-day.
It doesn’t need to be a big moment, even a short visit can help make everything feel more familiar and a little less overwhelming when that first proper drop-off arrives.
While you’re there… here are a few ways to make everything feel like it’s familiar.
- Point out things they might like (“Oh, look! It’s a dolly just like yours at home!”)
- Say hello together to their future key worker or encourage them to smile and wave to the other children
- Walk by the nursery in the days leading up and speak about the fun adventure they’ll be having soon
Bit by bit, you’re building a sense of comfort and excitement, and that makes all the difference for a smoother, happier and welcoming start.
Make Sure To Label Everything
Nursery can be full of new faces and lots of little learners… that means lots of little bags, bottles, shoes and cuddly toys – all in one place. With so much going on, it’s easy for things to get muddled up. One of the simplest ways to keep everything safe and sound is by making sure your little one’s belongings are clearly labelled.
That’s where our personalised pieces come in. From backpacks to bottles, everything from My 1st Years can be embroidered or customised with your little one’s name – no need for fiddly stickers, iron-on labels (that always seem to peel off!) or marker pens. It’s one less thing to worry about, and a lovely way to help your toddler recognise their own special things. Practical and personal? That’s a little win for everyone.
Wondering what you should label… the more the merrier, but these are our top suggestions:
- Clothes (especially spare sets)
- Lunchboxes & bottles
- Hats, gloves & scarves
- Sleep toys or comforters
- Bags with medications, creams, wipes, lotions and nappies
- Bags, wellies, and anything else they take with them
Celebrate This Once-In-A-Lifetime Milestone
First days deserve a little celebration – after all, it’s not just the beginning of nursery, it’s the start of a whole new chapter in their little world. Whether you’re snapping a front-door photo with their backpack, holding up a “1st Day” sign, or tucking away a treasured keepsake, these small little moments create the biggest memories, helping you to pause and celebrate a truly meaningful moment.
There are so many sweet and simple ways to mark the day and create memories you’ll cherish for years to come. Try:
- Our “My 1st Day” photo frames – perfect for capturing that big proud grin before they set off.
- A personalised keepsake box – ideal for saving their first doodles, name tags or a note from their nursery teacher. One day, it’ll be a box of memories that tells the story of where it all began.
- A letter to your future selves – jot down the details: what they wore, how they reacted, what they said. You’ll be amazed at how quickly those moments become a blur.
- Our Koala soft toy – a lovely pal that they can take with them… Added on the tummy are the sweet words: "[Name], sending hugs on your 1st day of school" – and you can personalise it with who it's from, too!
You’ve (Both!) Got This
No matter how many lists you check or bags you pack, starting nursery will always feel a little new and sometimes a tad daunting… But remember, this is an amazing step in their journey and with your support and perfect preparations, it’ll be a magical chapter ahead, we can already tell!
