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Prepare Your Child for The First Day of Daycare

Prepare Your Child for The First Day of Daycare
by
in Parenting
06 Jun 2026

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Starting daycare is a big milestone for both children and parents. For a lot of families, this also marks a return to work, at a part-time or full-time capacity. While it isn’t easy to figure out when the right time is for daycare, especially when the family can’t always proceed comfortably on one income, it is also important to consider what is right for your baby.

But even without the return to work, it remains an important moment as it is a child’s first experience spending extended time away from home. Either way, whenever the right time comes for both you and your child, it can be both exciting and stressful.

Naturally, every child adjusts differently. But you can help get them better prepared for the big change ahead. More often than not, helping them understand what to expect can already prevent a lot of trauma and tears at the start.

Talking About it Before the Big Day

Young children can handle new situations a lot better when they know what to expect. No matter how tempting it is not to tell them to avoid discussions and tears, this can actually be counterproductive.

In the weeks leading up to their first day, you need to start talking about daycare in a positive and age-appropriate way. This is the occasion to explain to them what they will spend their time doing, for example, such as playing, listening to stories, etc. You can also introduce the idea of making new friends. If possible, it can be helpful to describe to them what a typical day can look like (and that is why it’s essential to do your research on the daycare you choose).

You need to be honest with them, and that can also mean answering their questions.

Establish Daycare-Ready Routines

Children adjust best when they have predictable routines.

So, if daycare will require earlier mornings or different meal times, it can be useful to make these adjustments already. You can also help by creating a simplistic schedule that you hang in their bedroom, so they understand how the day is divided between wake-up routine, daycare time, and bedtime at home. It can be helpful to bring the daycare concept directly into their bedroom decor.

Then it becomes easier to introduce earlier wake-up times and bedtime because these fit into their new daily schedule.

Another important routine you need to bring before daycare is short separation. If your child has always been with you until now, daycare will be the first time they are separated from you, and this can be stressful.

Instead, you can work with relatives or with a babysitter to gradually leave them for short periods.

Choose the Right Daycare Centre

Finding the right daycare centre will make a big difference to both your child’s experience and your own. So, it’s important to research options based on criteria that go beyond the convenience of the location.

For instance, you can research values that are meaningful to you, including the atmosphere of the facility and what children are learning during the day. Most parents find it helpful to plan a visit to observe how staff and children interact and whether the environment is right for them.

Remember: Every child responds to daycare differently, but most of them will face the first few days with tears, as this is a big change. Nevertheless, the preparation work you do is essential to help them settle in and transition to this new life fast.


Craig Silva

Craig is a passionate and seasoned travel, food, and lifestyle writer, whose words paint vivid pictures of the world's most captivating destinations. His work not only inspires others to embark on their own adventures but also fosters a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our world. He captures the essence of each locale, offering readers a glimpse into the cultures, landscapes, cuisine, and experiences that make travel so enriching. Craig is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Travel Writers Alliance (ITWA). If you are a PR agency or brand and would like Craig to review a travel destination, vehicle, restaurant, product or service, please send him an email.

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