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Preschool

Preschool and Nursery Guide

Starting preschool or nursery is a major step for both children and parents. It can bring new routines, friendships, independence and learning, but it may also involve uncertainty, separation worries and practical decisions.

This UK guide explains how to choose a setting, understand funded childcare, prepare your child, manage settling in and know what support to expect.

How to Use This Guide

This page is a practical guide to choosing and working with a preschool or nursery. It does not replace the provider’s policies, the relevant regulator, local authority guidance, a child’s healthcare plan or professional SEND and safeguarding advice.

Childcare funding, registration and inspection systems differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Check the official service for the nation where the childcare is provided.

Current Official Childcare Routes

What Is Preschool?

Preschool is a broad term for early education before compulsory school age.

Depending on where you live in the UK, provision may include:

Private day nurseries
Maintained nursery schools
Nursery classes attached to primary schools
Preschools and playgroups
Childminders
Family or children’s centres

Names, funding and eligibility differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Check Local Childcare Entitlements

Do not assume that a childcare offer described for one UK nation applies in another.

England uses funded early education, Free Childcare for Working Parents, Tax-Free Childcare and other schemes through GOV.UK
Wales offers eligible families combined nursery education and funded childcare through the Childcare Offer
Scotland provides funded early learning and childcare through councils and partner providers
Northern Ireland has separate registered-childcare and financial-support routes

Eligibility, provider approval, application dates and reconfirmation rules can change. Use the live official service and confirm all additional charges with the provider before accepting a place.

Start Looking Early

Popular settings may have waiting lists.

Begin by checking:

Available places
Start dates
Opening hours
Term-time or year-round care
Funding accepted
Additional charges
Notice periods

Think About Your Family’s Routine

A setting should work practically as well as educationally.

Consider:

Travel time
Work schedules
School runs for siblings
Holiday cover
Meal times
Nap needs
Emergency collection arrangements

Visit More Than One Setting

Where possible, visit several settings before deciding.

Look at:

How staff speak to children
Whether children appear comfortable and engaged
Indoor and outdoor space
Cleanliness
Noise levels
Security
Range of activities
How staff communicate with parents

Check the Official Regulator

Use the relevant official service to check registration and inspection information:

Ask About Registration and Inspection

Early-years settings are regulated differently across the UK.

Check the relevant inspection body and current report:

Ofsted in England
Care Inspectorate Wales
Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland in Scotland
Education and Training Inspectorate and relevant health and social care bodies in Northern Ireland

Inspection reports are useful, but they should be considered alongside visits, staff relationships and the needs of your child.

Ask About the Key Person

Many settings allocate a key person who becomes a main point of contact for the child and family.

The key person may help with:

Settling in
Daily communication
Developmental observations
Comfort and reassurance
Planning next steps

Understand the Daily Routine

Ask about:

Arrival
Free play
Group activities
Outdoor play
Meals and snacks
Naps
Toileting
Collection

A clear routine can help children feel secure.

Play-Based Learning

Young children learn through play, repetition, movement and interaction.

Useful activities may include:

Books and stories
Role play
Construction
Messy play
Music and movement
Outdoor exploration
Simple counting and language games

Ask How Progress Is Shared

Settings may communicate through:

Daily verbal updates
Apps
Learning journals
Parent meetings
Written reports

Ask how often updates are provided and how parents can raise concerns.

Safeguarding

Ask about:

Secure entry and collection
Authorised collectors
Staff checks
Photography policies
Mobile-phone rules
Accident reporting
Safeguarding leads

You should know who to contact if you have a safeguarding concern.

Staffing and Ratios

Ask how many children are cared for by each adult and how the setting manages staff absence.

Ratios differ by child age and by nation.

Food and Drink

Check whether the setting provides:

Breakfast
Lunch
Snacks
Drinks

Ask about:

Menus
Allergies
Dietary requirements
Cultural or religious needs
Food preparation
Choking prevention

Packed Lunches

If a packed lunch is required, follow the setting’s guidance.

Use:

A clearly labelled lunch bag
Suitable portions
Food prepared safely
An appropriate cool pack where needed
Packaging the child can manage with help

Allergies and Medical Needs

Provide accurate written information about diagnosed allergies, medical conditions and prescribed emergency treatment.

Agree an individual plan covering:

Foods or substances to avoid
Emergency signs and action
Prescribed medicine
Staff training
Storage and expiry checks
Trips, celebrations and food brought from home

This guide does not replace the child’s healthcare or allergy plan. Call 999 for a severe allergic reaction or another immediate emergency.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Tell the setting about any concerns or identified needs before the child starts.

Ask about:

The SENCO or equivalent support lead
Communication support
Sensory needs
Physical access
Individual plans
Working with health professionals

Terminology and support systems differ across the UK.

Toilet Learning

Children do not need to be fully toilet trained before every preschool setting.

Ask how staff support:

Nappy changing
Potty use
Toilet reminders
Accidents
Changing clothes

Share the words and routine used at home.

Naps and Rest

Ask:

Where children sleep
How sleep is supervised
Whether bedding is provided
How individual routines are followed
What happens if the child no longer naps

Preparing Your Child

In the weeks before starting:

Talk positively about the setting
Read books about nursery
Visit the building if possible
Practise short separations
Use the names of staff
Keep explanations simple

Settling-In Sessions

Settling arrangements may include:

Short visits with a parent
Brief independent sessions
Gradually increasing attendance
Home visits

Some children settle quickly, while others need more time.

Keep Goodbyes Calm and Predictable

A clear goodbye can be more reassuring than leaving without telling the child.

Try:

A short routine
A cuddle
A simple explanation of when you will return
Leaving once the goodbye is complete

Separation Anxiety

It is common for children to cry at drop-off.

Ask staff:

How long the child remains upset
What helps them settle
Whether they join activities
How they behave later in the session

Crying at the door does not always mean the child remains distressed.

Comfort Items

Some settings allow:

A small comfort toy
A family photograph
A familiar blanket for rest

Check the setting’s policy and label every item.

Preschool Clothing

Choose clothes that are:

Comfortable
Easy to wash
Easy to remove for toileting
Suitable for messy play
Suitable for outdoor activity

Avoid sending valuable clothing that cannot tolerate paint, mud or food stains.

What to Pack

The setting may request:

Spare clothes
Nappies
Wipes
Indoor shoes
Waterproof clothing
Sun hat
Lunch
Water bottle

Label everything clearly.

Outdoor Clothing

UK weather can change quickly.

Useful items may include:

Waterproof coat
Wellies
Warm hat
Gloves
Sun hat
Spare socks

For current health advice, use the NHS health guidance for babies and young children alongside the setting’s exclusion policy.

Illness Policies

Ask when children must remain at home.

Policies commonly cover:

Vomiting and diarrhoea
Fever
Contagious infections
Rashes
Antibiotics
Head lice

Follow NHS and setting guidance rather than sending an unwell child.

Accidents and Incidents

Ask how the setting records and communicates:

Minor accidents
Head bumps
Biting
Medication
Safeguarding concerns

Behaviour Support

Ask how staff respond to:

Hitting
Biting
Tantrums
Sharing difficulties
Separation distress

Good behaviour support should be calm, consistent and age-appropriate.

Friendships and Social Development

Preschool children may:

Play alongside others
Begin cooperative play
Form strong preferences
Disagree frequently
Need adult help with turn-taking

Conflict is part of learning and does not automatically mean bullying.

Communication with the Setting

Share important changes such as:

Poor sleep
Family changes
Illness
Toilet learning
New fears
Medication

Questions to Ask at Collection

Useful questions include:

How did they settle?
What did they enjoy?
Did they eat and drink?
Did they sleep?
Were there any accidents?
Is anything needed tomorrow?

If Your Child Is Not Settling

Speak to the key person about:

Shorter sessions
A consistent drop-off adult
A comfort item
Favourite activities
Changes in the routine
Additional support needs

Changing Preschool

Families may need to change settings because of:

Moving home
Work changes
Cost
Hours
Unmet needs
Concerns about care

Check the notice period and ask for records to be transferred appropriately.

When to Raise a Concern

Raise ordinary concerns promptly with the key person, manager or provider and use the written complaints process where needed.

Possible concerns include supervision, repeated unexplained injuries, staff conduct, unmet medical or additional needs, discrimination, poor communication or failure to follow agreed arrangements.

Do not wait for an ordinary complaints process if a child may be at risk of abuse or immediate harm. Contact the relevant safeguarding service or police and call 999 for immediate danger.

Registration and complaint routes differ by UK nation, so use the relevant regulator and local authority.

Preparing for Primary School

Preschool helps children practise:

Listening
Taking turns
Following simple routines
Managing belongings
Using the toilet
Communicating needs
Being away from parents

Children do not need to read, write or complete formal worksheets before starting school.

Buying Preschool Items Preloved

Suitable preloved items may include:

Clothing
Waterproofs
Wellies
Books
Backpacks
Lunch bags
Simple toys

Check Preloved Items Carefully

Before buying, check:

Size
Condition
Fastenings
Name labels
Small parts
Cleanliness
Recall status where relevant

Preschool Items on Kidora

Kidora is a UK-only marketplace where parents can buy and sell new and preloved baby and children’s items.

Families may find preschool clothing, waterproofs, wellies, books, backpacks, lunch bags and age-appropriate toys. Check school or nursery rules, measurements, condition, hygiene, age warnings, batteries, magnets and official recalls.

Sellers pay no fees and keep 100% of the item sale price. Buyers pay a mandatory Buyer Protection fee on paid purchases, shown before checkout.

Suitable items can be listed at £0 as FREE rather than being thrown away, helping another local family. FREE listings are collection-only and do not include a Buyer Protection fee.

Kidora does not inspect childcare settings or certify product safety.

A Preschool Checklist

Check funded childcare eligibility
Visit more than one setting
Read the latest inspection report
Ask about the key person
Understand fees and additional charges
Share medical and SEND information
Use settling-in sessions
Label all belongings
Choose practical clothing
Keep communication open

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age can a child start preschool?

Start ages vary by setting and funding. Check local providers and the current childcare rules for your part of the UK.

Does a child need to be toilet trained?

Not always. Ask the setting how it supports nappies, toilet learning and accidents.

How long does settling in take?

It varies. Some children settle quickly, while others need several weeks of consistent routines and support.

What should a child wear to preschool?

Choose comfortable, washable clothing that is easy for toileting and suitable for messy and outdoor play.

Can preschool items be bought preloved?

Yes. Clothing, waterproofs, wellies, books and bags can be good-value preloved purchases when they are clean, safe and in suitable condition.