Baby Day Cares

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BabyDaycares.co.uk Nursery Transition Guide

Changing Nursery Guide

Plan a calm move from one nursery to another, understand notice periods, fees and deposits, transfer essential information and help your child settle into a new childcare setting.

Create A Nursery Change Plan
Notice, Fees & Records Goodbyes, Settling & New Routines
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Check The Contract

Review notice, deposit, funded-hours and final-payment terms before confirming your child’s leaving date.

Review Contract Terms
Avoid Unexpected Final Nursery Charges
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Prepare Your Child

Use simple language, photographs, visits and a predictable goodbye to make the new nursery feel more familiar.

Prepare For The Move
Support A Calm Childcare Transition
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Transfer Key Information

Share medical, dietary, developmental, comfort and safeguarding information with the new nursery before the first full session.

Transfer Information
Help The New Key Person Understand Your Child

Changing Nursery Transition Planner

Enter your notice period, proposed start date and transition details to create a practical plan for leaving the current nursery and starting the new one.

Your Nursery Change Details

Use the contract and written provider information where possible. This tool creates a planning guide rather than legal or contractual advice.

Enter the contractual notice period in weeks.
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£
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A→B

Your Nursery Transition Plan Will Appear Here

Enter your notice period, start timing, settling arrangements and fee details to create a practical nursery-change checklist.

Your Nursery Change Plan

Suggested Transition Approach Planned Nursery Transition Coordinate notice, records and settling sessions.
Notice Timing —
Possible Fee Overlap —
Estimated Monthly Fee Difference —
Settling-In Priority —
Information Transfer Priority —
First Action —
Final-Week Priority —
This planner does not replace either nursery contract. Confirm all notice, deposit, funding, record-transfer and payment terms in writing.

Four Parts Of A Successful Nursery Change

A well-managed nursery move protects the family financially while helping the child build trust and familiarity with the new setting.

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Contract Check notice, deposits, final invoices, funded hours and possible double-fee periods.
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Information Transfer medical, dietary, developmental, safeguarding and routine information accurately.
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Emotions Give the child time to say goodbye and become familiar with the new nursery and key person.
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Settling Use visits, short separations and gradual session increases where the child needs them.
Follow The Nursery Change Steps

Explore Nursery Transition Guides

Compare new nurseries, prepare for settling-in and understand contracts, deposits and safeguarding before changing providers.

Settling-In Period Plan The New Start Choosing A Nursery Compare Providers Nursery Deposits Check Refund Terms Registration Fees Understand New Costs Safeguarding Questions Check The New Setting
View Childcare Comparison Guides
Young child becoming familiar with a new nursery environment
A nursery change is easier when the child understands the goodbye, meets the new key person and experiences the new setting before the first full day.

How To Change Nursery Successfully

Changing nursery involves two connected transitions: ending the existing childcare relationship and building a new one. Both parts deserve careful planning.

Before giving notice, confirm the new place, start date, fees, funded-hours arrangement and settling-in process in writing.

  • Read the current nursery contract before giving notice.
  • Confirm the new nursery place in writing.
  • Check deposits, registration fees and final payments.
  • Arrange information and record transfer.
  • Plan a positive goodbye from the current nursery.
  • Use settling visits at the new setting.
Create Your Transition Plan

How To Change Nursery Step By Step

Avoid giving notice based only on a verbal offer from another provider. Confirm the new placement and understand both contracts before ending the existing arrangement.

Identify Why You Want To Change Nursery

Separate practical issues such as cost or location from concerns about quality, safeguarding, communication or your child’s wellbeing.

Review The Existing Nursery Contract

Check the notice period, required notice method, final invoice, deposit rules, funded-hours terms and charges during absence.

Choose And Confirm The New Nursery

Visit the provider, review safeguarding, fees, hours, availability and settling arrangements before accepting.

Coordinate The Leaving And Starting Dates

Allow enough time for notice and settling sessions while avoiding an unnecessary gap or extended period of double fees.

Give Written Notice

State the intended final attendance date and request written confirmation of final fees, deposit treatment and outstanding paperwork.

Arrange Information Transfer

Share medical, dietary, developmental, safeguarding and routine information with the new nursery using appropriate secure processes.

Prepare The Child For The Change

Explain the move in age-appropriate language and use photographs, visits, books and familiar routines.

Plan A Positive Goodbye

Help the child acknowledge relationships with practitioners and friends rather than disappearing from the setting without explanation.

Begin The New Settling-In Period

Share comfort strategies and review the child’s response after each introductory or full session.

Do not cancel the current nursery until the new provider has confirmed the place, start date, fees, opening hours and attendance pattern in writing.

Should You Explain Why You Are Leaving?

You can provide clear and factual feedback. When the change is due to routine, location or affordability, a simple explanation may be enough.

Where you have concerns about care or management, describe specific observations and use the nursery’s complaints procedure where appropriate. Urgent safeguarding concerns should not wait for an ordinary notice or complaint process.

Changing Nursery Notice Periods, Fees And Deposits

Nursery contracts vary. The financial result of changing provider often depends on when notice is given and how the old and new start dates overlap.

Check How Notice Must Be Given

The contract may require written notice by email, letter, parent portal or another specified method. Verbal notice may not start the contractual notice period.

Confirm The Final Attendance Date

Ask the current nursery to confirm the last booked day and whether fees continue when the child stops attending before the notice period ends.

Request A Final Fee Statement

The statement should explain remaining nursery fees, meals, consumables, funded-hours adjustments, credits and deposit treatment.

Check The Nursery Deposit

A deposit may be refundable, applied to the final invoice or retained when contractual notice is not completed. Read the specific written conditions.

Check The Registration Fee At The New Nursery

The new provider may charge a registration, administration or waiting-list fee in addition to a deposit and the first month’s fees.

Plan For Possible Double Fees

Families may temporarily pay both providers when the new nursery starts before the old notice period ends. Compare this cost with the risk of losing the new place.

Check Funded Childcare Arrangements

Ask how funded hours will end with one provider and begin with the other. Local processes, term dates and funding claims may affect the transfer timing.

Check Childcare Account Payments

Update provider details and avoid sending money to the previous nursery after the final payment has been agreed.

Financial Item Question To Ask Possible Risk
Notice Period When does notice begin and how must it be submitted? Fees may continue if notice is invalid or late.
Deposit Is it refunded, credited or retained? The family may lose some or all of the deposit.
Final Invoice Which fees and credits remain? Unexpected extras may appear after leaving.
New Registration Fee Is the payment refundable or transferable? The amount may be lost if the new place is cancelled.
Fee Overlap Will both placements be payable at the same time? Temporary double fees can affect cash flow.
Funded Hours When can the new nursery begin claiming them? Funding may not transfer exactly when expected.
Ask both providers to confirm dates and charges in writing. Do not assume the old nursery’s final date automatically matches the new nursery’s funded start date.

Read our Nursery Deposit Guide and Nursery Registration Fee guide before paying or cancelling.

How To Prepare A Child For Changing Nursery

Children may feel excited, uncertain, sad or angry about leaving familiar adults and routines. Preparation should acknowledge the ending as well as introduce the new nursery.

Explain The Change Simply

Use language that matches the child’s age. Explain that the current nursery will finish and that they will begin going to a new place.

Avoid Blaming The Current Nursery

Even when parents are dissatisfied, negative language can make the child anxious about adults they know and the new childcare arrangement.

Use Photographs Of The New Nursery

Show the entrance, room, garden and key person where the provider permits this. Revisit the photographs before the first day.

Visit Before The Start Date

Introductory visits help the child recognise the environment and begin forming a relationship with new practitioners.

Keep Important Home Routines Stable

Where possible, avoid changing sleep, meals, toilet learning and other major routines at the same time as the nursery move.

Allow The Child To Say Goodbye

A final session, simple card, photograph or conversation can help older babies, toddlers and preschool children understand the ending.

Expect Mixed Feelings

A child can enjoy the new nursery while still missing practitioners or friends from the previous setting.

Use A Predictable New-Nursery Goodbye

Create a short handover routine and explain when the parent will return using events the child understands.

Babies

Focus on familiar care cues, feeding, sleep, comfort and a consistent new key person.

Toddlers

Use simple repetition, photographs, comfort objects and short visits.

Preschool Children

Discuss what will remain the same, what will change and how goodbyes will work.

Additional Needs

Use detailed transition planning, visual support and consistent communication between adults.

Do not promise that the child will not feel upset. Reassure them that new adults will care for them and that you will return.

Use our Nursery Settling-In Period guide to create a gradual introduction to the new provider.

Transferring Information To A New Nursery

The new nursery needs enough accurate information to care for the child safely from the first session. Parents should not assume that all records automatically move between providers.

Medical Information

Provide current medical conditions, medication, emergency plans, health-professional instructions and relevant contact information.

Allergies And Dietary Requirements

Confirm allergies, intolerances, cultural or religious dietary needs, safe foods and emergency responses before the child eats at the new nursery.

Sleep And Comfort Routines

Explain tired signs, usual nap times, comfort methods, familiar words and any agreed comfort object.

Communication

Share words, signs, gestures, home languages and ways the child expresses pain, fear, hunger, tiredness or the need for help.

Development And Learning

Discuss the child’s interests, strengths, current learning, developmental concerns and strategies that help them participate.

Special Educational Needs Or Disabilities

Arrange direct communication where appropriate and provide current plans, professional advice and details of helpful adaptations.

Safeguarding Information

Relevant safeguarding information should be transferred through appropriate secure processes so that the new provider can protect the child.

Collection Arrangements

Give the new nursery accurate details of people authorised to collect the child, restrictions, passwords and emergency contacts.

Funding Information

Confirm eligibility details, provider declarations and any local transfer process needed for funded childcare.

Information Share With New Nursery Confirm Before First Full Day
Health Conditions, medicines and emergency plans. Staff understand action and storage.
Food Allergies, dietary needs and safe alternatives. Kitchen and room staff have correct information.
Sleep Nap pattern, tired signs and comfort methods. Safe sleep arrangements are agreed.
Communication Words, signs, gestures and home language. Key staff can recognise important needs.
Development Interests, progress and additional support. Key person understands priorities.
Safeguarding Relevant secure records and professional contacts. The correct safeguarding lead has received them.
Ask both settings which information they will transfer directly and which documents or details parents must provide again.

Changing Nursery Timeline

Adjust this sample timeline around the contractual notice period, new-place availability and your child’s individual settling needs.

6–8
Weeks

Compare And Confirm The New Nursery

Visit, ask safeguarding questions, review fees, confirm days and obtain written placement information.

4–6
Weeks

Review The Existing Contract And Give Notice

Confirm the notice start date, final attendance date, final fees, deposit and funded-hours arrangements.

3–4
Weeks

Begin Information Transfer

Request records, complete new forms and share medical, dietary, developmental and collection information.

2–3
Weeks

Introduce The New Nursery

Show photographs, talk about the change and attend an introductory visit where possible.

Final
Week

Plan A Positive Goodbye

Help the child acknowledge current practitioners and friends, and confirm that final belongings and paperwork are collected.

Week
One

Use A Consistent New-Nursery Routine

Keep drop-off predictable, receive settling updates and share changes in eating, sleep or behaviour.

Weeks
2–4

Review The Transition

Discuss relationships, wellbeing, routines, communication and whether any additional support is needed.

A rushed nursery move may sometimes be unavoidable. Prioritise safe care information, authorised collection, medication, allergies and a named key person before the first session.

When Should You Consider Changing Nursery?

Families change childcare for many reasons. The right response depends on whether the issue is practical, financial, relational or connected to safety.

Moving Home Or Workplace

A new location can make the current journey impractical. Compare travel time, opening hours and emergency collection before choosing a closer provider.

Nursery Fees Are No Longer Affordable

Request a complete annual cost comparison and check whether another provider offers more suitable funded sessions or fewer compulsory extras.

Working Hours Have Changed

A provider may no longer cover the days, start times or collection times your family needs.

The Child Is Not Settling

Review what happens after drop-off, key-person relationships, session length, attendance pattern and support before deciding whether a different setting is needed.

Communication Is Poor

Repeated missing updates, unanswered concerns or unclear incident information may justify a formal review with the nursery manager.

The Child’s Needs Have Changed

A setting may not be able to provide the current medical, developmental, sensory or practical support required.

Quality Or Safeguarding Concerns

Specific concerns should be recorded and raised through the correct route. Immediate safety concerns require prompt safeguarding action rather than waiting for a standard notice period to end.

A New Nursery Offers A Better Practical Fit

Better location, hours, staffing, outdoor provision or funded-place availability may support the whole family more effectively.

Practical Change

Location, working hours, availability or travel no longer work.

Financial Change

Fees, funding arrangements or compulsory extras are unsustainable.

Child-Fit Change

The current environment or support no longer meets the child’s needs.

Safety Concern

Safeguarding or serious care concerns require immediate and appropriate escalation.

Do not move a child repeatedly in search of a perfect nursery. Compare specific evidence, current needs and whether concerns can be resolved safely within the existing setting.

Questions To Ask The New Nursery Before Changing

Questions About Availability And Fees

  • Is the place confirmed for the exact days and start date?
  • What is the full monthly and annual cost?
  • Which meals, consumables and activities cost extra?
  • What deposit and registration fees are required?
  • What notice period applies after the child starts?
  • How are funded childcare hours applied?

Questions About Settling-In

  • How many introductory visits are offered?
  • Can the transition be extended if the child needs more time?
  • Will the named key person attend the settling sessions?
  • How will staff update parents after drop-off?
  • What happens if the child remains distressed?

Questions About Information Transfer

  • Which records does the nursery require?
  • Will it contact the current provider directly?
  • How are safeguarding records transferred securely?
  • How should parents provide medical and allergy information?
  • When must all forms be completed?

Questions About Daily Care

  • How will staff learn the child’s sleep and comfort routine?
  • How are medicines, allergies and dietary needs managed?
  • How are collection arrangements verified?
  • How are accidents and incidents communicated?
  • How does the key-person system work?

Questions About Continuity

  • Can the child keep a familiar comfort item?
  • Can current interests be incorporated into early activities?
  • How will staff support relationships with new children?
  • Is a transition review arranged after the first few weeks?
Ask for important fee, start-date, settling and notice arrangements in writing before giving up the current nursery place.

Use our Nursery Safeguarding Questions to Ask and Questions to Ask a Nursery checklists during the visit.

Related Nursery Transition Guides

Continue comparing providers, reviewing contracts and preparing your child for a new nursery routine.

Nursery Settling-In Period

Plan introductory visits, separation, key-person support and the first weeks at a new nursery.

Plan Settling-In

Choosing A Nursery

Compare safeguarding, staff, routines, fees, communication and suitability before accepting a place.

Compare Nursery Settings

Nursery Deposit Guide

Understand refunds, deductions, notice requirements and deposit conditions when leaving or joining a nursery.

Review Nursery Deposits

Nursery Registration Fee

Check what a registration fee covers and whether it can be refunded if the new place does not proceed.

Understand Registration Fees

Nursery Red Flags

Review warning signs involving supervision, staff, communication, hygiene, management and fees.

Review Nursery Red Flags

Nursery Near Me

Build a local nursery shortlist and compare availability, travel, costs, inspection information and opening hours.

Find Local Nurseries

Changing Nursery FAQs

Answers to common questions about notice, deposits, funded hours, records, settling-in and helping a child move to a new nursery.

Review the current contract, confirm the new place in writing, coordinate dates, give valid notice, settle final fees, transfer essential information and arrange settling sessions at the new nursery.
Usually, yes. Confirm the place, days, start date, fees and opening hours before ending the current placement, unless an urgent safety issue requires faster action.
The required period depends on the nursery contract. Check how notice must be submitted and when the notice period officially begins.
You can stop attendance, but contractual fees may remain payable. Urgent safeguarding circumstances may require separate advice and immediate reporting.
It depends on the written deposit and notice terms. The deposit may be refunded, credited to the final invoice or retained in certain circumstances.
Yes. Temporary double fees can occur when the new place starts before the current contractual notice period ends.
Ask both providers and the relevant local process how the current claim ends and when the new provider can begin using the funded hours. Timing may not be automatic.
Some information may be transferred directly, while parents may need to complete new forms or provide documents again. Confirm the arrangements with both settings.
Relevant information may include health, medication, allergies, dietary needs, development, communication, additional support, safeguarding, emergency contacts and authorised collectors.
Use simple and honest language, explain what will change, show photographs, visit the new nursery and allow the child to say goodbye to familiar adults.
The child may show sadness, anxiety, excitement or temporary changes in behaviour. Familiar routines and a gradual transition can help.
There is no fixed period. Some children adapt over several sessions, while others need a few weeks of consistent attendance and key-person support.
A clear goodbye can help the child understand the ending and acknowledge relationships with familiar practitioners and children.
It may be possible, but consider double fees, funded-hour rules, different routines and whether moving between settings will help or confuse the child.
Crying alone does not prove the nursery is unsuitable. Ask how long the distress lasts, whether the child accepts comfort and how they behave during the rest of the session.
Record the concern and use the appropriate safeguarding route. Immediate danger or serious risk should not wait for the normal nursery notice process.
Nurseries may have different policies about references and routine reports. Ask what developmental and transition information can be shared with the new provider.
This is why the new place should be confirmed before notice is given. Ask whether the current nursery could retain or restore the place, but availability cannot be assumed.
Compare complete annual costs, travel, funded hours, fees, quality, settling and suitability. A lower advertised fee may not create a lower overall family cost.
No. It is a general planning tool. Your rights and financial obligations depend on the actual contracts, facts and applicable arrangements.

Plan A Calm And Organised Nursery Change

Coordinate notice, fees, records, goodbyes and settling sessions so your child can move to the new nursery with greater familiarity and continuity.

Use The Nursery Change Planner