Starting Nursery Welcome Pack: Free Printable Guide for Ages 2 to 4
Starting Nursery Welcome Pack is a free printable guide for Ages 2 to 4 (ages 2 to 4), in Early Years. A bag checklist and a goodbye routine It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, a growing library of free printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795.
It is two A4 pages. Page 1 is the activity for children. Page 2 is for the grown-up: it has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, a stretch idea, and the answers. Print it at home or in the classroom. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
This guide includes a checklist to tick off.
A look at what children will meet:
- Spare clothes
- Nappies or pull-ups if needed
- Named water bottle
- Named coat
- Wellies
- Comforter or favourite toy
- Sun hat or warm hat
- Photo of family
- Any medicine the nursery has agreed to
Who this is for
Ages 2 to 4 (ages 2 to 4) in Early Years.
Early learning before school is best done through play, talk and hands-on activity. Keep sessions short, stop while it is still fun, and sit alongside your child. Use it at home, in class, on a rainy afternoon or at a family gathering.
What children practise
- Routines
- Getting ready
- Feeling secure
Help a child and a grown-up get ready for the first days at nursery with a bag list and a simple goodbye routine.
Learning focus and curriculum link
Subject: PSHE. Key stage: Early Years. It supports the subject at this level through short, focused practice.
This sheet is a practice and play activity. It supports classroom learning and is not a replacement for it.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- For a grown-up and child to use together in the days before starting. Check the nursery's own bag list as well.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice.
- Check against the notes on page 2 and the answers.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
If it feels too hard
Let the child pack the bag with you and choose a comforter to bring.
To stretch confident children
Draw a family photo or picture for the child to keep in their bag.
Make it a game
Practise the goodbye routine with a teddy and pretend to go to nursery.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Print on plain A4 paper. Black and white printing works too.
- Work through it together the first time, then let children try alone.
- Praise effort and thinking, not only correct answers.
A screen-free pshe activity for Ages 2 to 3
Children spend a lot of time on screens. This is a screen-free pshe activity that needs only paper and a pencil. It works as quiet time after school, a rainy day activity, a holiday boredom buster or a calm moment before bed. Screen-free learning gives eyes a rest and gets children talking, thinking and writing by hand.
Free pshe resources for teachers
Teachers can use this guide as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task, a supply teacher resource, a homework task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. The learning focus and skills are listed above so you can match it to your planning, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
PSHE ideas for parents at home
You do not need to be a teacher to use this. Read the sheet through, sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Short bursts of ten to fifteen minutes work better than long sessions. If you are looking for free pshe worksheets for Ages 2 to 3, or simple home learning for the weekend or school holidays, this is a good place to start.
Home education and tutoring
Home educators and tutors can print this as part of a wider pshe plan. It pairs well with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Because the sheet is free and printable, you can use it again for brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.
Why it helps children learn
Hands-on, paper based activities slow learning down in a good way. Children read carefully, think before they answer and see their own progress on the page. Games and challenges add a reason to keep going. That mix of play and practice is why printable activities like this are popular with parents, teachers and home educators.
Frequently asked questions
What age is Starting Nursery Welcome Pack for?
It is written for Ages 2 to 4 (ages 2 to 4), in Early Years.
What will children practise?
Help a child and a grown-up get ready for the first days at nursery with a bag list and a simple goodbye routine.
How do I use it?
For a grown-up and child to use together in the days before starting. Check the nursery's own bag list as well.
What if it feels too hard?
Let the child pack the bag with you and choose a comforter to bring.
Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use.
Is Starting Nursery Welcome Pack suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing.
Is this a screen-free activity?
Yes. It is a screen-free printable that needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.
Can I use it for home education?
Yes. Home educators and tutors can use it on its own or as part of a wider plan. It is free to print again for brothers, sisters or revision.
How long does it take?
Most children finish page 1 in 10 to 20 minutes. The notes on page 2 suggest ways to make it shorter or longer.
Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
More free printables
More Back To School printables | More for Early Years | More pshe printables | Free printable games | All Mini Minds Hub resources