Helping Your Child—and You—Transition With Confidence and Connection
Starting childcare is a big milestone. For many parents, it’s a mix of emotions—relief, guilt, excitement, worry. For little ones, it’s a whole new environment, routine, and set of people to get used to.
The good news? With a little preparation and a few thoughtful connection rituals, you can make the transition smoother and less stressful for everyone.
Here are my 10 gentle, parent-tested tips for starting childcare that protect your child’s sense of safety while building their independence.
1. Research to Find the Right Fit
Your childcare choice will shape so much about your child’s early days in care—not just what they learn, but how safe and supported they feel.
- Visit a few centres near home or work.
- Consider other options like family daycare or childcare swap days with a co-worker.
- Spend time in the rooms your child would be in.
- Ask about their settling process, daily routines, and communication with parents.
Trust your instincts. The right centre should feel warm, calm, and welcoming.
2. Arrange Pre-Start Playdates
Most centres will allow orientation visits. Aim for a few sessions before your official start date, ideally mid-morning (9.30–11 am) or after 2 pm when activities are calmer.
Stay with your child during these visits so they can explore their new space with you nearby. These short, positive exposures help reduce first-day anxiety. For more sensitive children some extra visits may be necessary.
3. Introduce a Comforter From Home
A small comfort object—a lovey, soft toy, or breathable comforter—can be a lifeline in a new environment. Start using it weeks before their first day so it’s already tied to feelings of safety and calm. Check out this Blog on Introducing comforters and my favourite comforters The CUGGIES here
Tip: Have spare sfor those inevitable daycare wash days.
4. Teach Gentle Self-Settling Skills
If your child is used to only falling asleep in your arms, at the breast, or in a carrier, the change to childcare naps can be tough. Its going to be a tough road for your ittle one to learn self settling skills in a new enviornment without their parents support so I strongly recommend that you begin practising alternative settling methods at home so they’re building this skills before starting childcare and can be familiar with drifting off in different ways. For more assistance on this you can check-out one of my online programs spific to your childs age and developmental stage or book a personalised consultation tailored to your child nad family needs. (insert links)
5. Expect—and Prepare For—Illness
It’s normal for children to catch more bugs in their first months of childcare, especially if starting in winter. Support their immune system with good nutrition, enough rest, and (with your GP’s advice) a probiotic and mulit-vitimin. You will also need to consider if both parents are back at work who will be responsible for staying home with your child while the inevitable exclusion days occur, and if your can share this between both parents or have some family assistance. You may also want to check out this blog on managing sleep when your child is ill.
6. Label Absolutely Everything
From bottles to jackets, if it’s not labelled, it might not make it home. Invest in washable name labels—they’ll save you a lot of lost property stress.
7. Create a “Childcare Wardrobe”
Childcare is gloriously messy—think sand, paint, and food. Keep special clothes at home and send them in inexpensive comfy, easy-to-wash outfits you don’t mind getting dirty or completely ruined.
8. Start a “Cuddle Cup” Ritual at Drop-Off and Pick-Up
This is one of my favourite ways to ease separation anxiety and strengthen connection.
Before drop-off, tell your child:
“I’m going to fill your cuddle cup with all my mummy cuddles before you go to daycare.”
Then:
- Give a big cuddle and “fill” their cup to their knees.
- Another cuddle up to their hips.
- Another to their chest.
- Another to their head.
- Finish with one giant cuddle so their cup is “overflowing.”
This quick, playful ritual helps your child walk into their day feeling loved, secure, and ready. You can also use it at pick-up to reconnect after being apart.
9. Reconnect Before the Evening Rush
After a long day in a stimulating environment, many children hold in their emotions until they’re back with you. That’s when the floodgates can open.
I cannot stress enough how valuable it is to pause everything for 5–15 minutes after you get home—before diving into dinner, baths, and bedtime.
Sit on the floor together. Play. Cuddle. Follow their lead.
This short reconnection time can calm their nervous system, refill their emotional cup, and make the rest of the evening flow more smoothly.
10. Trust the Process
The first few weeks may bring tears, tiredness, cat naps or non-existent naps and disrupted routines. But with time, your child will adjust. Remember: childcare educators choose this work because they love children. They want your child to feel safe, happy, and cared for and are doing their best but oftent cant stick to the exact routine you have provided them with.
Final Thought
Starting childcare doesn’t have to be a rocky road. With preparation, consistent connection rituals, and a little patience, you can help your child settle in feeling safe and loved—while giving yourself peace of mind.
If you’d like personalised support with this transition—including connection strategies, sleep adjustments, and evening routine tips—you can book a consultation here.
Quick Answers: Starting Childcare
How do I prepare my child for childcare?
Start orientation visits early, introduce a comforter, and keep a calm, predictable routine.
How can I make daycare drop-offs easier?
Use a short, loving ritual like the “Cuddle Cup” and leave confidently.
What is the Cuddle Cup ritual?
A playful cuddle game where you “fill” your child’s cup with hugs from knees to head, ending with a giant hug.
How do I reconnect after daycare?
Pause for 5–15 minutes of undistracted play or cuddles before starting the evening routine.
When should I start daycare orientation visits?
1–2 weeks before starting, ideally mid-morning or late afternoon.
What should my child wear to daycare?
Comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting messy.
Will my child get sick more when starting childcare?
Yes, it’s common at first. Support their immune system with rest and good nutrition.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
How long does it take for a child to settle into childcare?
It varies—anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
