Your toddler’s first time at day care can cause anxiety for both you and your child. However, you can prepare for the day and avoid some tears. The following are some simple tips for helping your child comfortably transition to day care.

How to Ease Your Toddler’s Transition to Day Care

1. Plan a Visit

Many children feel anxious in unfamiliar places. You can get your toddler acclimated to their new day care facility by planning a visit. Ask the day care staff if you can bring your child in for an hour or so. During this time, your child can play with the other children and get to know the day care providers. Once the first official day of day care arrives, they might even be excited to go back.

2. Talk About It

Young children often take on their parent’s attitudes about new events. You can help your child get ready for day care by talking about it in a positive light. Tell them that they will get to play with friends and toys, and mention how much fun they are going to have. You can take them to pick out a backpack, which can increase their excitement. Answer your toddler’s questions as well.

3. Get Them in the Routine

Children thrive in routines, so you can ease the transition by starting their day care morning routine early. Practice waking up at the same time, eating breakfast at the table, and getting dressed. The familiarity of this routine will be comforting on their first day, and you won’t need to worry about fussing during this portion of the morning.

4. Collaborate With Other Caregivers

Every child will have a different experience when starting day care. No matter how much you prepare, your child may still be upset or experience separation anxiety. Remember that this is normal. Speak with your child’s day care providers about the issue. They will likely have some suggestions to ease your toddler’s transition and help them feel more comfortable. Over time, your child will be excited to attend day care since it’s a positive experience.

A compassionate day care center can help your child transition into their new routine. The team at Guilford Child Development in Greensboro, NC, has been connecting kids and parents with quality early childhood education, family support, and day care services since 1967. They are supported by United Way® and offer services to over 5,000 families per year. You can visit them online to learn more about their programs, and call (336) 887-8224 to speak with a member of their team.