Settle in sessions?

My little one is due to start nursery in November but they've just offered three 1.5 hour settle sessions, and one week apart, so his first settle session will be a month before he starts nursery! It's not quite how I imagined - I thought there would be three or four closer to the start date with increasing amounts of time in each. I asked what happens if he doesn't settle well, if they would offer more sessions etc, but they've said if that happens they could offer more sessions once he already starts. He is only due to start with two mornings a week so I know that's not much but he has only ever been looked after by me or his dad so far so it will be a big change for him. He's very social and independent but I just want to make sure these initial sessions will be positive for him rather than too little and too spaced out. Just wondering if these sessions compare to what other nurseries offer? Thanks

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We just started nursery for our little one who now goes 4 mornings a week and had a whole week of consecutive settling in sessions staying a bit longer each time. She was due to start on the 10th and we had a session every weekday from the 2nd onward. Having them stretched so far does seem a little odd

My little girl is having her settling in sessions and they sound similar to yours. She's only going mondays so she did an hour with my husband there, last week she did an hour on her own, today 2 hours on her own with dinner, next Monday will be just morning then normal day from the week after. Been tough for us too as keira has only been left alone with us, my mum and stepdad and my grandma so a big change for her. Been lots of tears so far 😔

When I was unhappy about the length of settling in sessions, I spoke to the manager who booked us longer sessions. They were very accommodating once I voiced my concerns. Speak to them sooner rather than later so you have time to book in more sessions. The nursery should do what is best for the child.

I’m a deputy manager at a nursery and we book settles in a week before the child’s due date and say to do a minimum of 3 settles but they can do up to 5 if needed. We also encourage parents to maybe do shorter sessions on there first week if possible to ease them in x

Thanks everyone. Yeh I thought sessions should be over one or two weeks before starting rather than stretched out. I'll ask about it and I'll also ask if I can stay the first time if that is sometimes offered elsewhere? I don't want them to think I'm an anxious parent but I do stay and plays so much with my son elsewhere it might seem strange to him if I don't do that.

@Lydia the first settle parents have to stay at my nursery. As there’s paperwork to fill out but also it’s a nice time to get to know the staff in the room. X

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