In short… yes. Completely.
For many parents, the thought of leaving their child at nursery brings a mix of emotions. Pride, nerves, excitement… and often guilt. Whether you’re returning to work, needing childcare, or simply taking a bit of time back for yourself, it can feel like you’re stepping away from something important.
Why that guilt shows up
Modern parenting comes with a lot of pressure. There’s an unspoken idea that being a “good parent” means being there all the time. So when nursery becomes part of your routine, it can feel like you are somehow falling short.
But the reality is very different. Children do not measure love by hours spent side by side. They feel it through consistency, connection, and care. And nursery does not take that away.
What the research actually says
Studies into early childhood education show that high-quality nursery settings can have a really positive impact on children’s development.
The UK’s long-running EPPE study (Effective Provision of Pre-School Education) found that children who attended good early years settings showed stronger social development, confidence, and communication skills as they grew.
Research also highlights that children benefit from:
• spending time with other children their age
• learning how to share and communicate
• building independence away from parents
• experiencing new environments and challenges
Nursery is not replacing you. It is adding to your child’s world.
Choosing the right nursery makes all the difference
A lot of that guilt can ease when you feel confident in your choice.
Visiting nurseries, reading reviews, and checking Ofsted reports can give you a real sense of how a setting operates. You are not just looking for a place that “looks nice.” You are looking for somewhere your child will feel safe, supported, and genuinely cared for.
Trust matters. When you trust the environment and the people in it, everything feels easier.
How settling sessions help ease the transition
One of the biggest things that helps both children and parents is a thoughtful settling-in process.
Our settling sessions are designed to help your child:
• get to know their keyworker
• experience being away from you in short, manageable bursts
• become familiar with the environment
All of our locations approach settling slightly differently, so we always recommend checking your specific nursery page for details.
What stays consistent across all of our settings is flexibility.
If your child needs more time, we will go at your pace and theirs. Extra settling sessions can always be arranged to make the transition as smooth and comfortable as possible.
A parent’s experience
I put off going back to work for as long as possible after I had my child as I wanted to soak up as much time with them as I could.
I would hear my friends saying you don’t get to see your child as much and how it was a big adjustment. The thought of me being sat at my desk while my child was with people who were essentially strangers was making me feel so guilty.
YMCA honestly made me feel so at ease with it. The settling sessions were great. I got to see the space so I could picture my child there, meet the keyworker, and talk through all of my child’s needs, quirks, and communication cues.
My child has been with YMCA for a year and I don’t know what I was worried about in the first place.
For starters, the staff are all so nice and they absolutely love and treat my child like their extended family. The updates I receive while I’m at my desk put a smile on my face.
More importantly, my child has so much more confidence. Something I now see I was unintentionally holding back when it was just the two of us at home.
– YMCA parent
So… is it okay to feel guilty?
Yes. But it does not mean you are doing the wrong thing.
In many cases, nursery becomes one of the most positive parts of a child’s early years. It builds friendships, confidence, independence, and curiosity.
And when you pick the right setting, your child is not just being looked after. They are being supported, encouraged, and genuinely cared for.
Looking for a nursery that puts your mind at ease?
Explore our nursery locations, meet our teams, and see how we support both children and parents through every step of the journey.
Where would you like to go next?
Explore our nursery locations or discover the values that guide everything we do.
View our nursery locations
Find your nearest setting and arrange a visit that works for your family.
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Learn about our child-led approach and the principles that shape our care.
Explore our ethos →
