Young kids grow up so fast! Suddenly, right before your eyes, they go from relying on you for everything to learning how to tell time throughout the day, working to develop a nightly plan for bedtime, and (often without even realizing it) growing into a toddler who is ready to take on the day—even if that means being apart from mom or dad.
But how do you emotionally and mentally prepare your rapidly developing little one (and yourself) for the drastic change of daycare? Transitioning from spending all hours of the day with your child to suddenly sending them off into the world is a big shock to the system, and one that can come with a lot of intense or negative emotions.
While it may seem hard, it’s not impossible. There are a few ways you can transition your baby to daycare while still keeping their comfort and yours at the forefront.
Tips for Transitioning to Daycare
Schedule a Tour

Nobody knows your child better than you. That’s why it’s so important to take the time to visit any potential childcare facilities once or twice before enrolling. Schedule a tour during normal operating hours so you can see firsthand the level of security around the building, how the staff members interact with the children in their care, and what sort of activities or crafts the other children are doing.
You can not only use this time to ask questions and address potential concerns, but it also gives your child a chance to interact with the space as well while still being in the comfort of your company. Try and gauge how they are feeling (Do they look excited? Anxious? Shy?) to see if the daycare is a good fit for them.
Conduct a Trial
Once you’ve chosen a daycare, the next step is to conduct a trial run for your child. Try dropping them at the daycare for 1 to 2 hours while you run errands or relax. See how your child did while you were away—you can ask the staff for their opinion as well as your child directly.
If all goes well, consider scheduling another trial run for a whole day if you still aren’t ready to commit to full-time schedule enrollment. If the day did not go as planned, that does not necessarily mean that the daycare is not a good fit. Your child may have been too stressed or anxious to get to enjoy the full experience. It’s likely that there will need to be a few more short trial runs until you can get a proper read on your child’s feelings about their daycare.
Communicate

Before sending your child off, it’s important to have a conversation with them beforehand. Be 100% honest with them and explain why it’s time for them to start spending the day away from you, and why you chose that particular daycare center. Show understanding when your child expresses their feelings of fear or frustration to you, and don’t just brush them off.
Communication, transparency, and positivity are the best ways to get through this transition. Let your child know what to expect, who they may meet, and the feelings they may experience throughout the journey. The more your child knows, the more secure and comfortable they’re going to feel going into their first day. They may be young, but they rely on you as a source of information and will know when they go to daycare if you’ve led them astray.
Practice & Prepare
A fun way to help get your child excited for the change to come is to act out their first day. In the week leading up to the start of daycare, try waking them up at the required daycare time and making a fun breakfast together. Show them what their daily routine will look like after the transition so they can develop expectations.
Make this experience interactive, and be sure to keep the day light-hearted and positive! As the week progresses, it will get them more and more thrilled for their first day. When it is finally time for them to actually go to daycare, follow the routine you’ve been practicing, make a breakfast of their choice (No request is too absurd!), and have their first-day outfit ready. Voila! Your child is well-equipped to go to daycare.
Pack Their Bag

Sometimes, in a new setting, first-day (or week) jitters will get the best of your child, and that fear can prevent them from eating. For the first few meals of daycare, try to pack as many of your child’s favorite foods as possible. It’s okay if this means that what they’re eating is a little unhealthy or unusual—you want to make sure they’re not making themselves even more uncomfortable by going hungry.
It’s important to remember that first and foremost, your child is just that—a child. They may be grown-up enough to go to daycare, but they still want to feel safe. Outside of packing them just things they like to eat, consider including some of their comfort items in their bag. Whether this is a favorite toy or blanket, it will help your child have a bit of home away from home, and will be something they can lean on for support as they adjust to their new environment.
Prioritize “Parent Time”

As a parent, while you’re obviously sad to see your child go, you’re probably still enjoying the time you get back in the day to run errands or relax. However, despite the fact they’re now gone from you for longer stretches, it’s important to find time during the day when they are at home to be 100% focused on them.
Whether that be for an hour or so after they get home from daycare, where you ask them about their day, play games, or read a book together, it’s critical to carve out space for quality time. Doing so will make your child much more comfortable at daycare knowing that they still get to spend quality time with you later on.
You are their favorite person after all! Choose a time that works best for your schedule and lifestyle to ensure it is free of distractions. If you’re having difficulty finding room in your busy schedule, try:
- Playing eye-spy in the car as you run errands
- Letting them help you make dinner
- Taking a walk (or a skip) to the mailbox together
- Having a dance party while you get ready for bed
Remember: The First Day is the Hardest
If your little one has a hard time leaving you (tears, temper tantrums), don’t let this scare you away from daycare. Remember that the first day is always the hardest. That transition to daycare is a dramatic change in both of your lives that may feel difficult at first. As you and your kiddo get into the swing of things and practice the tips mentioned above, they will be bursting with excitement to go back the next day in no time.
And always remember, daycare is an exciting opportunity for your little one to grow and develop. If you’re interested in hearing more about the dynamic daycare services offered at Cornerstone Academy in Kenosha, Wisconsin, please contact us today for more information. Good luck, parents, you got this!