Starting nursery is a big moment for your child and for you. This page walks you through what to expect, from accepting a place through to your child's first weeks at Pine Class.

After You Accept a Place

Once your place is confirmed, you'll receive a welcome email with important information about the term ahead and beyond. It will include key information about the day and the settling-in process.

You'll also be asked to complete a form with your family's details, then to sign up to Arbor, our school information system, which you'll use to report absences and keep your child's information up to date. If your child has a 30-hour place, please send us your code before they start – otherwise, you'll be charged at our daily rate.

Stay-and-Play Sessions

Before your child starts in September, we hold stay-and-play sessions in June. These relaxed sessions give your child the chance to explore Pine Class while you're there with them: trying out the art room, investigating our study boxes, playing in the garden, and meeting other families who'll be starting together.

You can bring up to two adults, and we ask that you stay with your child throughout the session. You’ll be emailed a form with the welcome email to book in for these sessions.

You can also book a one-to-one meeting with the Nursery teacher to talk about your child – either during the stay-and-play period or in September.

Our Settling-In Process

Every child settles at their own pace. Our phased approach gives them the time and support they need to feel comfortable and happy.

How Settling In Works

In the first two weeks of term, we split children attending full time into two groups that attend on alternating days. Children attending part time settle in on just their allocated days. This means your child starts in a calmer, less overwhelming environment, with more attention from the team. We aim to be flexible with settling in to ensure children’s needs are being met. 

• Week 1: Part-time children attend their sessions 8:45-11:45am. Full-time children attend in their groups 8:45-11:45am.
• Week 2: Part-time children attend their sessions. Full-time children attend in their groups. Some children may be ready to stay for lunch or for the full day. You will need to discuss this with the Nursery team. 
• Week 3 onwards: All children are invited to attend for their allocated hours.

You'll receive a letter confirming your child's group and their days before term starts.

If your child needs more time to settle in, we can work with you to extend this gradual process. The most important thing is that they feel happy, secure, and ready to learn and play.

What to Bring

Every day:

• A bag with a change of clothes (including at least one change of underwear and socks)
• A water bottle so your child always has access to water
• A packed lunch if your child is staying for a full day (remember: we're a nut-free setting)
• Weather-appropriate clothing so children can freely play outside in any weather. For example, wellies and gloves when it’s wet and cold, and sunscreen and sunhats on hot, sunny days

We provide all art materials, learning resources, and outdoor equipment. Government schemes provide a daily piece of fruit and a carton of milk for all children. 

Please label everything with your child's name. Clothes often get left behind, and we have a lot of very similar water bottles!

Getting Ready for Nursery

Practical Skills

We encourage all children to be as independent as possible with self-care by the time they join us in September. We understand that different children develop at different rates, but most children are ready to be more independent when they start nursery. This includes:

Toilet training: We strongly encourage toilet training before starting nursery. We understand that every child's journey is different, and we'll always support you and your child along the way. If your child is still in nappies, please let us know in advance so we can accommodate this.

If you need potty training advice, the ERIC website has excellent resources for families.

Getting dressed: Being able to put on their coat, shoes, and pull up trousers helps children feel confident and independent at nursery.

Communicating needs: Helping your child express when they need the toilet, feel hungry, or need help makes the transition to nursery much easier for them.

Helping your child look forward to it: Stay positive and talk about the things they're looking forward to. Reading books about starting nursery together can help. It's also a good idea to have your child's eyes and ears checked before they start.

Common Questions

Click on a question to expand.

Looking Ahead: Moving to Reception

One of the fantastic benefits of a school nursery is that the transition into reception is just a natural next step in their learning journey. Children who attend Pine Class benefit from familiar faces, spaces, and routines as they move into Reception. In the summer term before they start school, we take the children to visit their Reception classrooms, giving them the opportunity to explore their new setting and meet their new teachers.

We share detailed information about each child's learning, development, and friendships with the Reception team to ensure a smooth transition.

Important: A Nursery place doesn't automatically guarantee a Reception place at our school. You'll need to apply separately through Bristol City Council when reception applications open (usually in the autumn term before your child is due to start school). You can find more information on our School Applications page.

If your child is summer-born, and you're considering deferring their Reception start, please talk to the Nursery team once your child has settled in – deferral requests must be made in writing to the school.

Need more help?

If you have other questions, please contact our school office at seftonpark@bristol-schools.uk or call 0117 377 3290. We're here to help make starting nursery as smooth as possible for you and your child.