I recently did a nursery visit for one of my long-term patients, as he’s just started nursery. I’ve been seeing him regularly to support his development and some of the difficulties he’s been having, and I’ve been working closely with his parents—sharing ideas, exercises, and ways to build these into everyday life at home.
So when he started nursery, it felt like the perfect opportunity to make sure he had the right support there too. I recently did an Instagram post, but I wanted to write a bit more detail here to explain why nursery visits can be so valuable.
Nursery visits are often thought of as something “extra” — but in reality, they can be a really important part of supporting a child’s development. They help bridge the gap between therapy sessions and real life, making everything more consistent, practical, and effective. I talk a lot about empowering parents to support their baby’s development at home, but it’s also important to empower the other caregivers in their life so they get support in every setting.
Why nursery visits matter 🏫
For many children, nursery is where they spend a large part of their day. It’s where they play, explore, interact with others, and practise new skills.
By supporting what happens at nursery as well (not just thinking about at home or during therapy sessions), we can help children practise skills little and often, in a natural and meaningful way. This is most effective for supporting their development and providing that all important early intervention.
Benefits for your child 👶
Consistency across the day
Children learn best through repetition. When the same strategies and movements are supported at home and at nursery, it gives them many more opportunities to practise — which can really help progress.
Functional, real-life practice
Rather than exercises feeling like a separate task, they can be built into everyday activities like play, transitions, and group time.
Support in a social environment
Being around other children can be really motivating. Sometimes children will try new movements or activities at nursery that they might not attempt at home.
Confidence and inclusion
With the right support in place, children are more likely to feel confident joining in, exploring their environment, and keeping up with their peers.
Benefits for nursery staff đź’›
Nursery staff are often incredibly supportive and keen to help — they might just need the right guidance. A visit allows me to:
Understand the child’s routine
Every nursery is different, and seeing the environment helps me make realistic, practical suggestions.
Demonstrate strategies
It’s much easier to show how to support a child in real time than to explain it afterwards.
Answer questions
Staff can ask about anything they’re unsure of, which helps build confidence.
Keep things simple
Often, small changes make the biggest difference — it’s about adapting what’s already happening, not adding lots of extra work.
Benefits for me as a clinician 👩‍⚕️
Nursery visits also give me a much fuller picture of how a child is moving and functioning. I can observe:
How they move around other children
How they manage in a busier, more stimulating environment; what motivates them; how they play and explore; and how their skills vary compared to home.
This often provides really valuable insight that helps guide ongoing therapy.
A joined-up approach
Ultimately, nursery visits help create a more joined-up, consistent approach:
home 🏡 + nursery 🏫 + therapy 👩‍⚕️
When everyone is working together, it means the child is supported throughout their whole day — not just in short therapy sessions or specific moments at home.
And that’s when we often see the biggest changes. Small, consistent opportunities to practise, in environments where children feel comfortable and engaged.
Final thoughts ✨
Nursery visits aren’t always needed for every child, but when they are, they can make a huge difference.
They help everyone feel more confident, ensure strategies are realistic and consistent, and most importantly, support the child in the places that matter most to them.
Because development doesn’t just happen in sessions — it happens in everyday moments 💛
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