Baby’s First Day of Daycare: How to Prepare

Your baby’s first day at daycare is not usually a day anyone looks forward to, but may be a necessary adjustment for you and your baby.

It’s completely normal to be nervous and have tons of questions about what to expect and how to best prepare. After all, your baby is going to be left with someone you likely don’t know. While it can be a tough one to deal with, we’re here to make sure this transition is as smooth as possible for everyone involved. Let’s get started!

1. Thoroughly Research Daycare Centers

You’ve probably already done this, but if you haven’t, we highly recommend researching daycares in your area. Figure out which have been best-rated on Yelp, read Google reviews online, and gather as much information as you can about them. Narrow them down to maybe 5 great ones and figure out which are most convenient in terms of location and hours. 

After narrowing your list down even more, try calling and asking if you can schedule a visit. 

2. Visit Before Their First Day

This kind of goes hand-in-hand with our first point. If possible, try bringing your little one along too! If they’re already somewhat familiar with the space and the staff, then their first day will be a much smoother one. 

However, that’s not the only reason why you should visit beforehand. You also want to make sure you and your little one get along with the staff there. Does everyone seem to feel comfortable with the daycare employees and the environment? If you’re all on the same page, great!

3. Practice Independence

This is a hard one for parents and children alike. Being a loving and involved parent is a gift money can’t buy, and that should never change. However, teaching independence will help them accept that even though they’re not with you all the time, you’ll always return to them. 

Most daycares don’t have the staff available for everyone to be focused just on one child, constantly. Daycare providers typically interact with multiple children at the same time. 

Due to this, the more independent your child can be, the better - not only for them but for the daycare providers. They won’t be (as) bothered by not having the sole attention of the staff and the staff will be better able to tend to all children, equally. 

We know a great way to encourage independence, and we think you’re going to like it: a date night!

That’s right - date nights mean that your bundle of joy will be spending, at minimum, a few hours without you. We don’t really recommend super long dates at first. Rather, acclimate your child to progressively longer dates. It can help ease separation anxiety for everyone and ultimately make the transition to daycare an easier one. 

4. Create Excitement 

We wouldn’t recommend making their first day of daycare a surprise. Rather, try to explain to your child(ren) what’s going to happen if they’re old enough to understand. The more notice in advance, the better.

Try to frame it as something they can look forward to – after all, it’s pretty much an all-day play session!  

5. Adjust Their Schedules

Daycares will often have just one schedule for every child, such as when snack time and nap time occur. It’ll be much easier if you learn about the center’s routine and try to adjust your little one’s as closely as possible to it. That way, they’re not feeling grumpy or sleepy when all the other kids are ready to play and run around!

Again, try to make these changes gradually, if you can. Sleep schedules and food schedules are the main things, here. 

6. Pack for Success

What do you need for a baby first day of daycare pack? Always make sure to include the essentials like a few changes of clothing just in case they get messy, all bottle supplies and milk, and diapers if the center doesn’t carry them. 

For their first day, some familiar items from home can do a lot to calm and comfort them. A favorite toy or blanket is always a good idea, and can make a big difference in letting themselves drift off during nap time. Just make sure that you get them back and label everything so it doesn’t accidentally get lost. 

7. Create a Routine

Routines make almost everything easier. Try to create a “goodbye” routine with your little one so that they know that it’s okay if you leave for the day and that you’ll be back for them.

In fact, we recommend telling them when exactly you’ll be back for them. For example, let them know that after they wake up from their nap, you’ll be there. Just make sure that this is true, as you don’t want them to not trust what you say, which will ultimately make it harder. 

8. Don’t Hesitate to Check In

No, they’re not going to think you’re annoying if you ask your provider for updates! That’s completely normal - especially during the initial transition period. They’ll likely give you some updates when you arrive, too. 

Many daycare centers use apps like Daily Connect, which allows providers to post updates like photos, videos, activities, naps, meals, etc. so you always know what your child is doing. Whenever you’re feeling nervous or just miss your baby, you can open up the app and see exactly how their day is going!

Leaving your child is never easy for anyone. However, if you follow the tips we have laid out for you here, we’re sure the transition will be as seamless as possible!