A typical nursery day and what to pack

Key rules

• Centre's list: Follow the nursery's own list of what to bring, which you get at enrolment.
• Labels: Write your child's name on every item.
• Times: Hours and routines vary by centre and region, and babies follow their own feeding and sleep schedule.
• Photos: The nursery shares photos only if you give image-use consent.

The day follows a set rhythm

Every day runs in the same order: arrival, snack, activities, lunch, nap, afternoon snack, pick-up. Times differ by centre and region, so treat the times below as a guide. Public centres follow school-calendar hours. Private ones are often more flexible.

A typical day

• Arrival, about 7:30–9:30. Many centres offer an early-bird service from about 7:30. Your child is welcomed and plays freely, or joins a group assembly.
• Mid-morning, about 9:30–10:30. A snack or fruit comes first. Then come activities such as songs, stories, sensory play, workshops and outdoor play. Nappies are changed throughout the day.
• Lunch, about 11:30–12:30. It is earlier for babies.
• Nap, about 12:30–15:00. Babies sleep more often.
• Afternoon snack (merienda), about 15:30–16:00.
• Pick-up. You can collect at midday, about 12:30–13:00, either before lunch or just after it. The afternoon pick-up is 16:00–17:00. Some centres stay open until 17:30–18:00.

Babies and toddlers

Babies under 1 do not follow the group timetable. They are fed on demand or at their own rhythm and sleep on their own schedule. Children aged 2–3 get more structured group activities.

What to pack

The nursery gives you its own list when you enrol, and that list comes first. Most lists look like this.

Every day:

• A backpack or bag.
• A water bottle, or a bottle for a baby.
• Nappies and wipes. Parents often pay for these.
• A dummy, if your child uses one.
• A spare change of clothes.

At the start of term:

• A few spare sets of clothes. Babies need more.
• One or more bibs.
• A blanket or sheet for the nap.
• A comfort toy.
• A photo for your child's peg or locker.
• A coat or jacket.
• Sun cream and a hat in warm months.

Many centres require a uniform or tracksuit, called a babi, often with the centre's logo. Many also charge a materials fee.

Label everything with your child's name: clothes, bottles, dummies and bags. Unlabelled items get mixed up.

Bring formula, purées or lunch only if the centre does not provide meals. Ask at enrolment.

Daily updates

Nurseries pass on daily news through a paper agenda that travels with your child, an app, or both. Smaller centres may use WhatsApp or email. You will usually see food eaten, nap times, nappy changes, mood, activities and announcements. Ask which one your centre uses. Photos are shared only if you have given image-use consent.

The checklist and questions below cover the details.

Checklist

• Ask the nursery for its own list of what to bring, including any uniform or tracksuit (babi) and materials fee.

• Pack a backpack with a water bottle (or bottle for a baby), nappies and wipes, a dummy if your child uses one, and a spare change of clothes.

• Bring a few spare sets of clothes at the start of term (more for babies), plus bibs, a coat or jacket, and a comfort toy.

• Bring a blanket or sheet for the nap and a photo for your child's peg or locker.

• Write your child's name on every item, including clothes, bottles, dummies and bags.

• Ask whether the nursery provides meals, and bring formula, purées or lunch only if it does not.

• Ask which agenda notebook or app the nursery uses, and give image-use consent if you want to receive photos.

• Check the arrival and pick-up times, including any early-bird service from about 7:30, and plan your day around them.

Frequently asked questions

What time can I pick my child up from nursery?

You can usually pick your child up at midday, around 12:30 to 13:00, or in the afternoon between 16:00 and 17:00.

How will I know what my child ate and how they slept?

Your nursery shares this through a paper agenda that travels with your child, an app, or both. It usually covers meals, nap times, nappy changes, mood and activities.

Will the nursery share photos of my child?

Yes, nurseries can share photos in their app, but only if you have given consent for your child's image to be used. You will normally be asked to sign this at enrolment.

Do babies follow the same daily routine as older children?

No, babies under 1 follow their own feeding and sleep schedules, and they sleep more often.