Starting Daycare: First Week Survival Guide 2026

The first week of daycare can feel overwhelming for both parents and children. With the right preparation and expectations, you can navigate this transition successfully.

Starting daycare

Before Day One

Practical Preparation

Complete ahead of time:

All enrollment paperwork
Health forms and immunizations
Emergency contacts set up
Payment arrangements
Supply list items

What to Pack

Daily essentials:

Extra clothes (2-3 sets)
Diapers/pull-ups if needed
Comfort item (if allowed)
Bottles/cups as required
Sunscreen if needed
Labeled everything

Meet the Caregivers

If possible:

Visit before starting
Meet primary teacher
Tour the classroom
Learn the routine
Ask questions

The Night Before

Prepare Everything

Get ready:

Bag packed and by door
Clothes laid out
Breakfast planned
Sleep early
Calm evening routine

Talk Positively

With your child:

Discuss what will happen
Keep it simple and positive
Read books about daycare
Answer questions
Build excitement gently

Prepare Yourself

For parents:

Acknowledge your feelings
Accept it's hard
Trust your decision
Plan for after drop-off
Have support ready

Day One

Morning Routine

Start right:

Wake with time to spare
Calm, unhurried morning
Good breakfast
Positive energy
On time arrival

At Drop-Off

Best approach:

Confident arrival
Quick goodbye routine
Hand off to teacher
Don't linger
Leave promptly

After Drop-Off

For you:

It's okay to cry
Trust they're okay
Stay busy
Check in if allowed
Take care of yourself

The First Week

Daily Routine

Each day:

Same drop-off routine
Consistent timing
Positive goodbye
Prompt pickup
Evening reconnection

What to Expect

Normal reactions:

Crying at drop-off
Tiredness
Clinginess at home
Some regression
Mixed emotions

Checking In

Communication:

Read daily reports
Ask brief questions at pickup
Note teacher observations
Save detailed questions for later
Trust the process

Drop-Off Strategies

What Works

Effective approaches:

Quick, confident goodbye
Same routine each day
Transition object if helpful
Phrase you always say
Trust teachers to help

What Doesn't Work

Avoid:

Long, drawn-out goodbyes
Sneaking away
Returning after leaving
Showing excessive worry
Negotiating

The Hand-Off

Make it smooth:

Greet the teacher
Hand child directly over
Say your goodbye phrase
Leave confidently
Don't look back

After Pickup

Reconnection

End of day:

Warm greeting
Don't overwhelm with questions
Physical connection
Listen if they share
Low-key evening

Questions That Work

Instead of "How was your day?":

What did you play with?
Did you read any books?
Who did you sit with at lunch?
What was the best part?
What did you eat?

Evening Routine

Support adjustment:

Extra cuddles
Calm activities
Early bedtime
Patience with behavior
Connection time

Emotional Preparation

For Children

Help by:

Validating feelings
Staying positive
Not projecting your anxiety
Reading books about daycare
Practicing separation

For Parents

It's normal to feel:

Sad
Anxious
Guilty
Uncertain
Emotional

Managing Your Emotions

Self-care:

Acknowledge your feelings
Trust your decision
Connect with other parents
Celebrate milestones
Be patient with yourself

Signs of Adjustment

Getting Better

Positive indicators:

Crying stops sooner
Mentions friends/activities
Less distress at drop-off
Happy at pickup
Comfortable gradually

Timeline

Expect:

First week hardest
2-4 weeks for initial adjustment
6-8 weeks for fuller settling
Ups and downs throughout
Eventually comfortable

When to Be Concerned

Normal vs. Concerning

Normal:

Crying at drop-off that stops
Tiredness at home
Some clinginess
Minor regression

Concerning if:

Crying that never stops
Significant regression ongoing
Extreme distress
No improvement over weeks

What to Do

If concerned:

Talk to teachers
Observe more
Give more time if appropriate
Trust your instincts
Seek help if needed

Key Takeaways

Prepare ahead:

Complete paperwork
Pack everything
Visit if possible
Talk positively

First day:

Calm morning
Quick goodbye
Leave confidently
Trust the process

First week:

Consistent routine
Expect adjustment
Be patient
Connection time at home

Remember:

It gets better
Crying is normal
Your child will adjust
You're doing great
This too shall pass

The first week is the hardest. With preparation, patience, and consistency, your child will adjust to their new routine.

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