How to Prepare Your Child for Childcare: A Parent’s Step-by-Step Guide

Helping Babies and Toddlers Feel Confident, Safe, and Ready for Daycare

Starting childcare is a big milestone for both children and parents. Whether you’re preparing your baby for their first time away from home or helping your toddler adjust to a new routine, the transition to daycare can bring a mix of emotions. The good news is that with the right preparation, you can ease this change and help your child feel safe, secure, and confident from day one.

At Discovery Tots Dayhome, we’ve supported hundreds of families through this important step. This guide shares what we’ve learned, so you know exactly how to prepare your child for daycare, whether they’re just a few months old or heading into preschool.

Start with a Calm, Confident Mindset

Before diving into schedules and routines, take a moment to reflect on your own feelings. Children, especially babies and toddlers, pick up on your emotions. If you’re anxious or unsure, they may mirror that worry. That’s why one of the first steps in preparing your child for daycare is preparing yourself.

It’s normal to feel nervous. But when you show your child that you trust their caregivers and believe this change is a positive one, they’ll begin to feel that way too. Talk about daycare in a positive tone and use words like “fun,” “friends,” and “learning” to build excitement.

How to Prepare a Baby for Daycare

If your child is under 12 months, preparation is more about rhythm and comfort than verbal explanation. Babies thrive on consistency, so your goal is to create a smooth handoff between home and child care.

Begin by aligning your baby’s feeding and sleep schedule with the routine they’ll follow at daycare. This makes the transition gentler and avoids unnecessary disruptions to naps or meals. If your baby uses a comfort item, like a pacifier, soft blanket, or sleep sack, make sure the same item is available at daycare.

Spend time talking or singing during diaper changes, feedings, and play to build your baby’s sense of security through your voice and presence. This strengthens the parent-child bond and supports emotional resilience during separation.

If possible, arrange a short visit to the dayhome before the first full day. Being present while your baby takes in the new environment can help them feel more secure and comfortable with the upcoming change.

How to Prepare a Toddler for Daycare

Toddlers often experience separation anxiety when starting daycare, but they’re also old enough to benefit from simple routines, books, and conversations that ease the transition.

Start by talking about what daycare will be like in short, reassuring phrases. You might say, “You’ll play with toys, read books, and have lunch with your new friends. Then Mommy/Daddy will come pick you up.”

Reading books about starting daycare is another great way to build familiarity. Titles like “The Kissing Hand” or “Bye-Bye Time” help toddlers express their feelings and understand what to expect.

If your toddler is old enough, practice short periods of separation leading up to the first day. Leave them with a trusted friend or family member for brief intervals, then gradually increase the time apart. This builds their confidence and helps them learn that goodbyes always lead to reunions.

Step-by-Step Tips to Prepare Your Child for Daycare

Getting ready for childcare is a gradual process. Whether you’re wondering how to prepare baby for daycare or helping a toddler adjust, these practical steps will help:

• Visit the dayhome together: Tour the space with your child. Point out toys, books, and friendly faces. If your child meets their educator ahead of time, that familiar connection can make the first day much easier.

• Talk about the daily routine: Explain what happens at drop-off, during meals, and at pick-up. Toddlers especially benefit from knowing what to expect.
Practice the goodbye ritual: Choose a short, loving phrase or hug you’ll use every day. Keeping it consistent helps create a sense of safety.

• Label belongings: Label everything, bottles, clothes, comfort items, to keep transitions smooth and avoid confusion.

• Start the daycare routine early: In the week before, follow the same wake-up time, meals, and nap schedule they’ll follow at the dayhome.

• Stay calm and consistent at drop-off: Even if your child cries, keep your goodbye brief and upbeat. Lingering can increase anxiety and make it harder for them to settle.

• Check in with the educator: Stay in touch during the first few days. Most children adjust within a few weeks, and communication can ease any concerns on both sides.
Support Their Emotional Transition

Adjusting to daycare is just as much about emotional security as it is about routines. At Discovery Tots Dayhome, we offer a warm, responsive environment where children feel safe from the moment they arrive. Our educators are trained to support new transitions with patience, calm, and nurturing care.

During the first few weeks, expect some ups and downs. Your child may be happy one day and teary the next. This is completely normal. As they develop trust with their caregiver and learn that daycare is a predictable, safe place, these feelings usually pass.

Make time at home for extra snuggles, simple routines, and quiet connection. Even just reading a book together after daycare can help your child recharge and feel emotionally supported. If you’re still deciding which option is right for your family, check out our article “Part-Time or Full-Time Daycare? A Guide to Making the Right Choice.”

Preparing for a Positive Start

Starting daycare is a major step for your child, but it’s also a powerful opportunity for growth. In a high-quality, licensed setting like Discovery Tots Dayhome, your child will build social skills, confidence, and independence through play-based learning and caring relationships. If you’d like to explore more ways to support your child’s confidence at home, read our article “Affirmations for Kids: How to Create a Daily Positive Mindset.”

By preparing gradually, staying positive, and partnering with your child’s caregivers, you can help your child feel secure as they begin this exciting new chapter.

If you’re wondering how to prepare your child for daycare or looking for a nurturing, licensed dayhome in Calgary or Chestermere, we’re here to help. Our team supports families through every step of the journey.

Get in touch to connect with a licensed dayhome that fits your child’s needs and your family’s routine.