Starting childcare is a huge milestone for children and their parents. It can be exciting and daunting at once, as parents find themselves away from their children for an extended period and children begin to discover who they are outside their families. We have put together this helpful guide to make beginning childcare smoother. If your little one is starting at a childcare centre in 2025, read on to find out how to set them (and you) up for success on their first day and beyond.
Why Prepare Your Child For Childcare
It might seem obvious, but preparation is an essential part of your child feeling secure and comfortable in a new environment. Starting childcare can be an unfamiliar experience, and children can easily be overwhelmed by new people, routines, and surroundings. Some children can even be overwhelmed by suddenly encountering so many children their own age, especially if they are from families who don’t have many young children.
Without proper preparation, your child may have tearful drop-offs, clinginess, and difficulty adjusting to their new routine. On the other hand, those who have been well prepared tend to settle in faster, make friends more easily, and enjoy their days at their childcare centre.
Information To Give To Your New Centre
Your child’s educators are your trusted partners in ensuring your little one thrives in childcare. Sharing the correct information about your child is essential to their success, and open communication can help the centre accommodate your child’s specific needs.
These are some of the early things you can share with your child’s centre ahead of them starting:
- Daily Routines: Share any information about your child’s sleep, feeding, and play routines. This can help the staff to mirror what you are already doing at home, or they can discuss tweaks that will keep your child’s care consistent at home and at childcare.
- Comfort Items: If your little one has a comfort object, like a stuffed toy or blanket, let the staff know. Your child’s educators can use this item to help comfort your child and also ensure that it doesn’t end up misplaced.
- Dietary Requirements & Restrictions: If your child has allergies, food sensitivities, or special dietary needs, ensure this is communicated to avoid any issues with your child’s nutrition.
- Developmental Milestones: Share any milestones your child has reached, whether it’s language skills, potty training, or social interactions. This helps the educators support your child’s growth and future development.
- Health Conditions or Medications: Make sure the centre is fully briefed on any medical needs or conditions your child may have, along with clear instructions on administering medication, if necessary.
Sharing this information, along with anything specific your centre asks for, can greatly help in ensuring a smooth transition for your little one.
What To Do In The Weeks Beforehand
A gradual transition can help make childcare less overwhelming for your child. There are several practical things you can do in the lead-up to help your little one adjust more easily:
- Visit the Centre Together: Many childcare centres offer orientations or open days for new families. Visiting together allows your child to become familiar with the environment, see the rooms, meet the educators, and understand that this will soon become part of their routine.
- Talk About Childcare: Start talking positively about childcare at home. Discuss how much fun it will be, the activities they’ll participate in, and the new friends they’ll meet. Read books about starting childcare or school together to help normalise the experience. Try not to share any of the anxiety you might be feeling about your child starting childcare.
- Practice Short Separations: If your child hasn’t spent much time away from you, it’s a good idea to start practising short times apart. Leave them with a trusted family member or friend for a few hours so they can get used to being away from you for a set period.
- Establish a New Routine: Align your home routine with the one they’ll follow at childcare. For example, if they are napping at a certain time, try to adjust their nap schedule in the weeks leading up to their first day.
The Night Before Starting Childcare
The night before your child’s first day of childcare is all about making sure you’re prepared. Organisation will help reduce stress for both you and your child. Here are some routine steps you should do before their first day and continue every night before childcare:
- Pick Their Clothes: Get your child’s help to decide on their outfit the night before. This will save time in the morning and let your child feel involved by choosing something they like. (You get bonus parent points here if you get your child’s help choosing your outfit for work, too.)
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- Pack Their Bag: Get your child’s help to pack their bag for daycare! Make sure to pack any necessary items, including spare clothes, comfort items, nappies (if needed), bottles, and a water bottle. Label everything clearly.
- Read Before Bed: If your little one’s best nighttime routine involves a story, continue this before the big day. Try to keep a sense of familiarity with their usual routine with a few new tasks, like packing their bag and getting their clothes sorted.
During Daycare Dropoff
Drop-off is the trickiest part of the day. It’s common for children to feel uncertain and upset when they’re separated from their parents. However, there are ways to make this transition smoother.
- Stay calm and positive: Children often mirror their parents’ emotions. Even if you aren’t feeling it, stay calm, confident, and positive during the drop-off to reassure your child that everything is okay.
- Create a goodbye routine: Establish a simple and consistent goodbye routine, such as a hug, a kiss, and a reassuring “See you later!” Keeping this routine brief and predictable helps reduce separation anxiety.
- Engage in an activity together: If possible, stay with your child for a few minutes and read a story together or help them start a fun activity. This allows them to ease into the environment before you leave.
- Make subtle changes: Each day, as your child becomes more comfortable, you can reduce the time you spend with them during drop-off until they’re ready to walk in on their own with confidence.
What To Establish Afterwards
Once your child starts attending childcare regularly, there are a few things to keep in mind to help them adjust and thrive. Ensure they have plenty of downtime at home to rest and recharge. Childcare can be tiring for little ones, especially when adjusting to new routines. This could mean quiet playtime or an early bedtime. Try to stick to regular routines both in the morning and at night. Consistency is crucial with little children; having a predictable schedule helps them feel safe and secure. It’s common for children to feel more tired, irritable, or emotional in the first few weeks of childcare. This is part of the adjustment process, but stay attuned to any changes in their mood and offer support as needed. While it’s easier said than done, trying to make extra time to spend with your child is important. It can feel like a big shift for a young child to see less of their parents daily. Take time as often as possible to make them feel like they are the biggest and most important part of your life.
Over time, your child will settle into childcare routines, from morning greetings to meal and nap schedules. Once they’ve adapted, these routines can offer comfort and security. Keep the lines of communication open with educators to ensure your child is thriving and address any concerns. To find out more about how Little Zak’s Academy eases the struggle of adjusting to daycare, speak to us today.
