# Nursery for 1-year-olds

What nursery is like for 1-year-olds, how toddlers spend the day, settling in at this age, funding and what to look for on a visit.

By The Toddly editorial team. Updated 14 November 2026. Page: https://toddly.co.uk/guides/nursery-for-1-year-olds

Between 1 and 2 most children start walking, say their first words and want to do things for themselves. A good nursery gives them space to move and other children to watch and copy.

## What the day looks like

At this age the day is built around care routines and play:

- **Lots of movement:** crawling, cruising, walking, climbing, pushing and pulling.
- **Sensory play:** sand, water, paint, playdough, textures and sounds.
- **Songs, rhymes and books,** which build early language.
- **Outdoor time,** in a safe space suited to new walkers.
- **Meals and naps** that follow each child's needs, with most moving from two naps to one at some point.

Many nurseries keep under-2s in a baby room and move them to a toddler room at around 18 months or 2. Ask when and how this happens, and whether your child's [key person](/glossary/key-person) changes.

## Funding

If you are eligible for Free Childcare for Working Parents, your child can already get up to **30 funded hours a week for 38 weeks** from the term after they turned 9 months. See [30 hours from 9 months](/guides/30-hours-from-9-months). If you have not applied yet, you can do so now and start from the next term: check the deadlines with our [start date tool](/funded-hours-start-date).

Under-2s are charged at the highest rate at most nurseries because of the 1 to 3 [ratio](/glossary/ratio). Use the [childcare cost calculator](/childcare-cost-calculator) to see your monthly cost with funded hours, and [Tax-Free Childcare](/guides/tax-free-childcare) for the rest.

## Settling in

Separation anxiety is common between about 9 and 18 months. A gradual settling-in, a consistent goodbye and a key person who gets to know your child well make the biggest difference. See [settling in at nursery](/guides/settling-in-at-nursery).

Expect your child to be tired for the first few weeks and to catch more colds and bugs for a while.

## Development and communication

The [EYFS](/glossary/eyfs) focuses on three prime areas for young children: communication and language, physical development, and personal, social and emotional development. Good practitioners talk with toddlers constantly, naming things, responding to babble and gestures, and reading together.

Ask how the nursery shares observations and photos, and how often you will talk with the key person about your child's progress.

## What to look for on a visit

- Do staff get down to the children's level and talk with them warmly?
- Is there enough space for new walkers to move freely and safely?
- How do staff handle biting, snatching and other common toddler behaviour? A calm, consistent approach is what you want.
- Do children have their own sleep space, and does the nursery follow your routine?
- How are nappy changes and early potty interest handled?
- How long have room staff worked there?

Take our [visit checklist](/nursery-visit-checklist) and see [questions to ask on a nursery visit](/guides/questions-to-ask-on-a-nursery-visit).

## Looking ahead

Around their second birthday your child will have a [progress check at two](/glossary/progress-check-at-two). If you have any concerns about their development, such as hearing, speech or movement, talk to the nursery and your health visitor; you do not need to wait for the check. Our guide to [nursery for 2-year-olds](/guides/nursery-for-2-year-olds) covers the next stage.

## Related

- [Childcare cost calculator](https://toddly.co.uk/childcare-cost-calculator)

## Frequently asked questions

### Is 1 a good age to start nursery?

Many children start around their first birthday. Separation anxiety can peak around this age, so allow time for settling in, but most 1-year-olds settle well with a consistent key person.

### Do 1-year-olds get funded hours?

If you are eligible for Free Childcare for Working Parents, yes: up to 30 hours a week for 38 weeks, from the term after your child turned 9 months.

### When do children move from the baby room?

It varies: some nurseries move children at around 18 months, others at 2. Ask how transitions between rooms are handled.