🎒 Supporting Children's Mental Health During the Transition to School
Starting school is a huge milestone — not just for children, but for parents too! 🏫💛
At Banana Moon Day Nursery, we understand that while this time is filled with excitement and pride, it can also bring nerves, questions, and a few emotional moments for the whole family. 🌈
At Banana Moon Day Nursery, we understand that while this time is filled with excitement and pride, it can also bring nerves, questions, and a few emotional moments for the whole family. 🌈
Supporting children’s mental health and parental wellbeing through this transition is one of our top priorities. Together, we can make starting school a positive, confident step forward.
🌱 How We Support Children During the Transition to School
1. Building Emotional Resilience
We gently help children manage big feelings by teaching:
We gently help children manage big feelings by teaching:
- Naming emotions 🧠
- Asking for help 🗣️
- Developing friendships 🤝
- Coping with changes 🔄
Through stories 📚, role-play 🎭, and small group discussions, we give children tools to handle new experiences with confidence.
2. Encouraging Independence
We practise key skills every day, including:
We practise key skills every day, including:
- Dressing and undressing 🧥👖
- Using the toilet independently 🚽
- Managing lunchtime routines 🍽️
- Looking after their own belongings 🎒
Small daily successes build big confidence for starting school!
3. Familiarising Children With 'School Life'
We introduce school-style activities such as:
We introduce school-style activities such as:
- Group carpet times 🧏♂️
- Structured routines ⏳
- Practising lining up and waiting turns 🚶♀️🚶♂️
Where possible, we offer school visits, create transition photo books, and even invite Reception teachers to visit the nursery, so school starts to feel familiar, not frightening.
4. Supporting Their Emotional Journey
Children are encouraged to talk openly about their feelings.
We use:
Children are encouraged to talk openly about their feelings.
We use:
- Storytime about starting school 📖
- Feelings charts 🎨
- "What are you looking forward to?" activities 🎈
Every emotion is valid, and we create safe spaces where children can share and feel supported. 🌱
🤝 How We Support Parents During the Transition to School
At Banana Moon, we believe supporting parents is just as important as supporting children. 💬💛 Here's how we help:
1. Annual 'Transition to School' Parent Meeting 🗓️🏫
Each year, we invite parents to a special Transition to School Meeting where we:
- Explain the emotional stages children may go through 📚
- Outline what Reception teachers expect at the start of school 🎒
- Share tips on how to boost independence at home 🏡
- Discuss practical preparations (e.g., uniform, lunchboxes, school routines) 🎽🍎
- Answer your questions and ease any worries you might have ❓💬
This meeting is relaxed, supportive, and designed to help you feel informed, prepared, and reassured.
2. Personalised Transition Reports 📄
Before children leave, we create detailed transition reports highlighting:
- Strengths and interests 🌟
- Friendships and social skills 🤝
- Areas where they might need extra support 🛠️
With your permission, we share these with your child's new school, helping to ensure a smooth and understanding handover.
3. One-to-One Parent Meetings 🤝
In addition to group meetings, we offer individual transition meetings for parents who would like more tailored support. Whether you have specific concerns or just want some extra reassurance, we are here for you.
4. Practical Resources for Home 🏡📚
We provide:
- Storybooks about starting school 📖
- Printable checklists for "getting school ready" ✅
- Fun activities to build school skills (like lunchbox packing games and dressing races!) 🎲🎽
- Emotional wellbeing guides for managing worries 🌈
We also share a "What to Expect" guide, covering common emotional reactions during the first few weeks.
5. Ongoing Support After Your Child Starts School 🏫📞
Our care doesn't stop when your child leaves nursery!
We love hearing updates and are always happy for parents to get in touch if they want to talk through any post-transition worries.
We love hearing updates and are always happy for parents to get in touch if they want to talk through any post-transition worries.
🧠 What to Expect Emotionally — and How We Help
Children often experience a mix of emotions when starting school:
- Excitement and pride 🎉
- Nervousness or clinginess 💞
- Tiredness and needing more downtime 😴
- Occasional regressions in behaviour 🌀
All of this is normal!
We prepare parents to expect these feelings — and offer gentle strategies to support your child through this period, such as:
We prepare parents to expect these feelings — and offer gentle strategies to support your child through this period, such as:
- Creating calm after-school routines 🧘♀️
- Planning early bedtimes during the first few months 🛌
- Giving children time and space to unwind rather than asking lots of questions straight away 🧸
🌟 A Confident Start to School Life
At Banana Moon Day Nursery, we believe that with patience, preparation, and teamwork, starting school can be a joyful, exciting chapter for children and parents alike. 📚🌈
We are proud to stand with you throughout this big moment, offering emotional support, practical advice, and a listening ear whenever you need it. 💬💛
If you have any questions about your child's school transition, please speak to your child's Key Worker or our Nursery Manager — we are here to help every step of the way. 🚀
@BananaMoon - 4 days ago
Get in touch today
We are confident you will appreciate our nursery, its setting and facilities. Should you wish to visit, we are available at any time to meet with you. Any comments or input from parents are always welcome.
Opening Times
We are open 7.30am - 6.30pm
Tunbridge Wells
Banana Moon Day Nursery, 15-17 Upper Grosvenor Road
Tunbridge Wells
TN1 2DU
info@bananamoon-tunbridgewells.co.uk
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