Changing Preschool Mid Year: When, Why and How to Do It Well

Most families hope that their child will stay happily in the same nursery or preschool until school. But sometimes a change becomes necessary or desirable part way through the year. A family may move house, working hours may change, or parents may feel that their child's current setting is no longer the right fit. Changing preschool mid year can feel daunting, both for parents and for children. This guide looks at common reasons to change preschool, how to change nursery in a thoughtful way and how to support your child with settling in after changing nursery.

Reasons to change preschool

Families change settings for many reasons. Practical reasons are common: moving house, a new job, different working hours or a long journey that has become difficult. Some families want a setting with longer opening hours, a school bus route, meals cooked on site or a different language environment.

Other reasons relate to the child's experience. Parents may feel their child is unhappy, not making progress, or that concerns they have raised have not been addressed. Sometimes a child has outgrown the setting and would benefit from a different approach or group. Some families simply realise that a different philosophy, such as a more play-based environment, suits their child better.

Is a change the right decision?

If your reasons are practical, the decision may be straightforward. If you are considering a change because of concerns, it is worth talking to the current setting first, if you have not already done so. Sometimes a conversation with the teacher or head can resolve a problem, and staying may be less disruptive for your child. Our guide to parent teacher communication in preschool has tips on raising concerns constructively.

However, if concerns are serious, repeated or not taken seriously, or if your child seems persistently unhappy, a change can be the right choice. Trust your knowledge of your child. Children are often more adaptable than parents fear, and a setting that suits them better can make a big difference.

Choosing a new setting

Take time to visit several settings if you can, ideally during a normal day so you can see how children and staff interact. Think about what did and did not work in your child's current setting, and use that to guide your questions. Consider practical factors such as location, hours and transport, as well as the approach to learning, the atmosphere and how staff communicate with families.

Ask about staffing and group sizes; our main site's guide to the preschool staff child ratio explains what to look for. Ask about meals too, especially if your child has allergies or a special diet; our guides to the role of a dietitian in a preschool and food allergies at preschool explain good practice.

How to change nursery: practical steps

1. Check your notice period with the current setting and any contractual terms.
2. Visit the new setting and ask about their settling-in approach.
3. Plan the timing, allowing a short overlap or a gap for settling in if possible.
4. Share information about your child's routines, needs, interests and any concerns with the new setting.
5. Ask the current setting whether they can share a summary of your child's progress, with your consent.
6. Prepare your child with simple, positive explanations.
7. Plan a goodbye to the old setting.

Talking to your child about the change

Young children cope better with change when they know what to expect. Explain the change in simple, positive terms a week or two beforehand, depending on your child's age. For example: "Soon you will go to a new school. It has a big garden and lots of toys. Your new teacher is called Ayşe." Avoid criticising the old setting in front of your child, even if you are leaving because of concerns.

Books about starting nursery, photos of the new setting and visits together can help. Answer questions honestly, and acknowledge feelings: "You might miss your friends. That's okay. We can still see them sometimes."

Saying goodbye

Children form real attachments to their teachers and friends, so a proper goodbye matters. If possible, let your child have a last day with a small celebration, bring a card or drawing for the teachers and take a photo with friends. If the change is sudden and a goodbye is not possible, talk about the old setting, look at photos and perhaps send a card afterwards.

Staying in touch with one or two close friends through play dates can make the transition easier and reassure your child that friendships do not have to end.

Settling in after changing nursery

Even children who have attended nursery before need time to settle into a new setting. The rooms, routines, adults and children are all new. Many settings offer a gradual settling-in period, starting with short visits with a parent and building up over several days or weeks. Follow the new setting's advice, and be prepared to be flexible.

Some children settle quickly, while others take longer. Tears at drop-off, clinginess, tiredness or changes in sleep and appetite are common in the first weeks. These usually ease as your child builds relationships and gets to know the routine. Our partner site's guide to separation anxiety at nursery has practical ideas for easier goodbyes.

Helping your child settle

• Keep home routines as consistent as possible.
• Send a familiar comfort object from home.
• Keep goodbyes short, warm and predictable.
• Share information with the new key person about what comforts your child.
• Arrange a play date with a child from the new group.
• Give extra time and closeness at home in the evenings.
• Talk positively about the new setting and the people there.

Changing settings after a move abroad

For families who have recently moved to North Cyprus, a change of setting may come on top of many other changes: a new home, a new language and a new culture. Children in this situation may need extra patience and support. Our partner site's guide to helping kids adjust after moving abroad offers ideas for supporting children through relocation.

Timing the move

If you have a choice, think about timing. Avoid making the change at the same time as other big events, such as the arrival of a new baby or a house move, if you can. Starting on a Monday or after a weekend together can help, and a few days of overlap or gentle introduction may make the change less abrupt.

Consider your own work commitments too. The first weeks in a new setting often require flexibility, such as shorter days or being available to collect your child early. Planning for this in advance reduces stress for everyone and gives your child the best chance of a calm start.

When settling takes longer

If your child is still very unhappy after several weeks, talk to the new key person or manager. Ask how your child spends the day, whether they have made connections and what helps them. Together, you can adjust the approach, for example with shorter days for a while or extra support at transitions. Most children do settle, but good communication makes the process smoother.

Changing to Altın Anahtar

Altın Anahtar in Alsancak welcomes children in the nursery from 12 months to 3 years and in preschool from 3 to 6 years, Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 18:30. The menu is planned by our dietitian and cooked by our own cook, and a school bus route runs between Karşıyaka, Lapta, Alsancak, Karaoğlanoğlu, Kyrenia, Ozanköy, Çatalköy and Boğazköy. If you are considering a change, you can contact the Altın Anahtar team to arrange a visit by appointment.

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