Parents Checklist

We know that starting nursery, especially can feel a little overwhelming.

That’s why we’ve created this handy checklist to guide you through everything you need to know before your child’s first day.

Whether you’re new to Tendercubs or even new to parenting, this guide will help make your transition smooth and stress-free.

Daily Bag Essentials

  • Colorful children's clothes hanging on a rack, featuring floral, striped, and solid designs.

    ✔ Full change of clothes

    (including socks and underwear)

  • Child wearing colorful striped rain boots standing in a muddy puddle, partially visible from the waist down, with brown pants.

    ✔ Weather-appropriate outerwear

    (coat, sunhat, rain boots, etc.)

  • A baby lying on their stomach on a soft blanket next to a plush dog toy.

    ✔ Nappies and wipes

    (if needed)

  • A baby lying on a bed, holding a green dinosaur plush toy, and facing sideways with closed eyes.

    ✔ Comfort item

    (e.g., dummy, blanket or soft toy; optional)

  • A young Asian child with short black hair sits in a stroller, drinking from a baby bottle held by an adult.

    ✔ Formula or breast milk

    (if applicable)

Clothing Guidelines

A young child with blue eyes and blonde hair has blueberry pie on their lips and chin, sitting at a wooden table with a blue bowl in front. An adult is helping with the pie.

✔ Comfortable Clothes

Children should wear comfortable clothes that are okay to get messy!

Various sneakers displayed on cardboard boxes at an outdoor market

✔ Comfortable Shoes

Velcro shoes are encouraged to help with independence.

Multiple black, gray, and black-and-gray permanent markers with white bodies and red and black text, laid on a wooden surface next to several blue and white envelopes.

✔ Label. Label. Label.

Please label everything: clothes, bottles, bags, shoes, hats; to avoid mix-ups.

Health & Medical

Close-up of a person's hand holding a dandelion seed head with a dark outdoor background.

✔ Conditions

Submit any known allergies, medical conditions or dietary needs in advance.

A young girl in a pink dress holding a ladybug on her open palm, with another person nearby in a floral dress. Green grass is visible in the background.

✔ Medication

Provide prescribed medications in original packaging with clear instructions.

A young girl with blue eyes lying indoors, resting her head on a plush teddy bear, gazing thoughtfully outside a window.

✔ Illnesses

Children should be kept home if they have a fever, diarrhoea, or contagious illness.

Arrival & Pick-Up

Close-up of a single silver key lying on a dark surface with reflected image.

✔ Child Collection

Let us know if someone different is collecting your child (with password & photo ID).

A young boy lying in a bed of fallen autumn leaves with his eyes closed, wearing a green jacket.

✔ Settling

Try to arrive during the drop-off window to help your child settle smoothly.

Close-up of a financial or accounting document with printed tables and figures, partially rolled and placed on top of an open book.

✔ Attendance

Always sign in and out using our system or with a staff member.

Understanding the UK Nursery System

  • Children playing with colorful chalk in a box.

    Children can start nursery in the UK from birth to age 5.

  • Blurry image of pink and white Christmas lights or decorative bokeh lights.

    The academic year runs September to July, with closures over major holidays.

  • Child stacking colorful blocks with animal and vehicle drawings.

    Children aged 3+ may be eligible for 15 to 30 hours of free childcare (check your eligibility).

  • A young boy with short brown hair smiling widely, showing his teeth, outside a building with large windows and parked cars in the background.

    The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) framework guides all learning and development.

Additional Information

Helpful Extras

Children playing outdoors, smiling, and reaching to catch a brightly colored orange ball in the air.

  • Join our parent app or portal to get updates, photos, and messages.

  • Attend our settling-in sessions — these are key for easing the transition.

Our Settling-In Sessions
Our Parent App