Daycare, Preschool

Starting nursery, preschool or a new childcare arrangement is a relationship transition. Familiar cues, truthful explanations and close communication with carers can make the adjustment more predictable.

Prepare for change without promising it will feel easy

Settling is rarely linear. A difficult morning after several good ones does not mean you are back at the beginning.

• A goodbye routine for daycare that stays short and warm
• Building a calm morning before preschool
• Changing daycare: how to explain it to a young child
• Daycare drop-off tears: what parents can try
• Helping a child move to a new classroom
• Helping a child return to daycare after a long break
• How long does it take a child to settle into daycare?
• How to handle pickup meltdowns after childcare
• How to prepare a toddler for the first day of daycare
• How to share your child's comfort cues with educators
• Preparing for daycare when your child has multiple caregivers
• Pretend-play ideas for preparing for childcare
• Questions to ask during a daycare orientation
• Signs that a childcare transition needs more support
• Starting childcare with a comfort object
• Supporting naps during a childcare transition
• What to pack for daycare without overpacking
• What to tell your child before starting preschool
• When daycare adjustment shows up as clinginess at home
• When your child will not talk about daycare