Finding Our Voice: How Language Support Made All the Difference

When we first brought our eldest son to the nursery in September 2024, we were filled with both hope and anxiety. We understood English reasonably well, but speaking it was difficult. We worried constantly about being misunderstood or missing important information about our child’s day.

Those first weeks were challenging. Our son clung to us during drop-offs, struggling to settle in this unfamiliar place. We wanted to explain his routines and what comforted him, but the language barrier made everything harder. We’d smile and nod during pick-up, catching some words but missing others, always hesitant to ask staff to repeat themselves.

Gradually, things improved. Our son discovered a love for building and construction, creating impressive towers and patterns. The staff’s patience and warmth helped him flourish despite our communication struggles. By July 2025, when he left, he had transformed into a confident, independent learner. We knew we’d made the right choice, even though it had been difficult.

When our second son was ready to start in September 2025, we didn’t hesitate to return. We trusted this nursery. But then something extraordinary happened. On our first visit, one of the staff members greeted us in Arabic. She was a new children and families apprentice, and suddenly we could express everything we’d been holding back—our hopes, concerns, questions—in our own language.

The difference was remarkable. Where our eldest had taken weeks to settle, our younger son felt comfortable within days. Having someone who could speak to him in Arabic gave him an anchor. When he felt uncertain, she could reassure him in words he fully understood. He wasn’t navigating everything alone the way his brother had.

Now, just months later, our youngest actively participates in activities and experiments with English words. He listens carefully and mimics what he hears, unafraid to try. The nursery has become a safe place where he can take linguistic risks, knowing support is there if he needs it.

For us as parents, the transformation has been equally profound. We no longer dread conversations with staff or worry about missing crucial information. We can have real discussions about our son’s development, share stories from home, and ask questions we’ve carried for too long. These conversations with the apprentice have made us more comfortable with all the staff, and we’ve formed genuine relationships with the entire team.

For the first time, we feel like true partners in our children’s education. We’re involved, informed, and valued. The difference between our two sons’ experiences has shown us how much language matters. Our eldest thrived despite the barriers, but our youngest is thriving because those barriers have been removed.

We’re committed to supporting both boys as they develop their English while maintaining their Arabic. The nursery’s approach has shown us they don’t have to choose—they can be bilingual, proud of their heritage while embracing their community. This experience has given our entire family a sense of belonging we never thought we’d find, and it’s made all the difference.