How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Day at Childcare
Your child’s first day at childcare is an exciting milestone, but it’s natural for both children and parents to feel a little nervous. New faces, unfamiliar surroundings and different routines can take some getting used to.
The good news is that a little preparation can help your child feel more familiar with what to expect.
To prepare your child for their first day at childcare, visit the centre beforehand, talk positively about the experience, practise a simple goodbye routine, pack their belongings in advance and share their needs with educators. Most importantly, give your child time to adjust at their own pace.
Whether you’re preparing a baby, toddler or preschooler, these 10 practical tips will help you approach the first day feeling more organised and confident.
Why Is It Important to Prepare Your Child for Childcare?
Starting childcare introduces your child to new people, environments and daily experiences. They may be spending time away from familiar caregivers, meeting educators for the first time and learning to participate in new activities.
Preparing ahead can make these changes feel less unfamiliar.
It also gives parents an opportunity to understand the centre’s routines, discuss their child’s individual needs and ask questions before the first day arrives.
Every child responds differently. Some settle in quickly, while others need more reassurance and time to build relationships with their educators.
The goal isn’t to prevent every tear or difficult moment. It’s to help your child gradually feel safe, supported and comfortable in their new environment.
10 Tips to Prepare Your Child for Their First Day at Childcare
1. Visit the Childcare Centre Before Their First Day
Visiting the childcare centre together is one of the most useful ways to help your child become familiar with their new surroundings.
During your visit, take time to explore the learning rooms, outdoor play areas and other spaces your child may use.
Point out activities they might enjoy, such as painting, building blocks, reading or outdoor play.
If possible, introduce your child to the educators who will be caring for them. Seeing a familiar face when they return can make the environment feel less new.
You can also use the visit to ask about:
- Daily routines and activities
- Drop-off and collection procedures
- Meals, snacks and rest times
- Orientation or settling-in arrangements
- How educators comfort children who are upset
- What families need to bring on the first day
If you’re considering childcare in Narre Warren, you can book a tour of GloryKids Childcare & Kindergarten to explore the centre, meet the team and ask questions before your child starts.
2. Talk Positively and Honestly About Childcare
In the weeks leading up to the first day, begin talking about childcare in simple, age-appropriate language.
Explain what your child might experience, including meeting educators, playing with toys, exploring outdoors and spending time with other children.
For example, you could say:
“At childcare, you’ll get to play, learn new things and spend time with your educators. I’ll come back to pick you up later.”
Try to keep your language positive without promising that every moment will be fun or easy.
If your child says they’re worried or don’t want to go, acknowledge their feelings.
You might respond:
“It’s okay to feel nervous about somewhere new. Your educators will be there to help you, and I’ll come back after childcare.”
Reading picture books about starting childcare can also help children understand what to expect.
For babies and younger toddlers who may not understand detailed explanations, familiar routines and calm reassurance can be especially helpful.
3. Introduce a Familiar Daily Routine
Children often feel more comfortable when parts of their day are predictable.
Before starting childcare, ask the centre about its usual routines, including meals, rest periods, outdoor play and group activities.
Where practical, you can begin introducing similar patterns at home.
For example:
- Establish a consistent morning wake-up routine.
- Practise getting dressed and ready at a similar time.
- Talk about what happens before and after childcare.
- Discuss your child’s usual feeding and sleeping needs with educators.
You don’t need to completely change your child’s home routine to match the centre.
Babies and younger children may have individual sleep and feeding needs, and these should be discussed with the educators before their first day.
At GloryKids, the early learning curriculum includes play-based learning experiences that support children’s development through everyday activities and interactions.
Understanding what your child may experience during the day can also help you talk about childcare more confidently at home.
4. Practise Short Separations With Trusted Caregivers
If your child hasn’t spent much time away from you, short separations with a trusted adult may help introduce the idea of being apart and coming back together.
For example, you might arrange a short visit with a grandparent, relative or another familiar caregiver.
Choose an arrangement that suits your child’s age, needs and comfort level.
When it’s time to leave, explain that you’re going and when you’ll return.
Avoid disappearing without saying goodbye, even if you think it will prevent tears.
Practising separation doesn’t guarantee that your child won’t become upset at childcare. However, it can give them experience with a predictable goodbye and reunion.
5. Create a Consistent Goodbye Routine
Drop-off can be one of the most emotional parts of starting childcare.
A short, familiar goodbye routine helps your child understand what to expect each morning.
Your routine might include:
- A warm cuddle
- A kiss or high-five
- A special goodbye phrase
- A reminder that you’ll return
- A handover to a familiar educator
For example:
“One big hug, one kiss, and I’ll see you after afternoon tea.”
Use a return point your child can understand, while making sure it matches their actual collection time.
If your child becomes upset, acknowledge their feelings and work with an educator to help them transition into the room.
Try to keep your goodbye calm and consistent. Repeatedly leaving and returning may make the handover more confusing.
Remember, crying at drop-off doesn’t automatically mean your child will remain upset throughout the day.
6. Pack Your Child’s Childcare Bag the Night Before
Preparing everything in advance can make the first morning less rushed.
Before packing, ask the childcare centre for its specific requirements. Some centres provide items that families might otherwise expect to bring.
First-day childcare bag checklist
- Spare clothes, including underwear or socks if needed
- Labelled sun hat
- Labelled water bottle, if requested
- Nappies, wipes or toileting supplies, if required
- Bottles, expressed milk or formula, if applicable
- Comfort item, if permitted
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Required medication and supporting documentation
- Any other items listed by the centre
Label your child’s belongings clearly so educators can identify them.
GloryKids provides meals prepared onsite and caters for dietary requirements. Before the first day, confirm any feeding, allergy or dietary arrangements directly with the centre, including whether your child needs to bring bottles or other supplies.
Helpful tip: Pack the bag and lay out your child’s clothes the night before. That leaves more time for a calm breakfast and goodbye in the morning.
7. Share Your Child’s Needs and Preferences With Educators
Your child’s educators can provide more personalised support when they understand their routines, interests and individual needs.
Before the first day, share information such as:
- Favourite toys, books, songs or activities
- Sleep and rest preferences
- Feeding routines
- Allergies, medical needs and relevant care plans
- Toileting requirements
- Words, gestures or signs your child uses
- Cultural or family preferences relevant to their care
- What usually helps your child feel calm when upset
- Previous experiences with childcare or separation
You can also explain how your child typically responds to unfamiliar people or environments.
For example, some children enjoy joining activities straight away, while others prefer to watch quietly before participating.
These details help educators understand your child as an individual and plan an appropriate settling-in approach.
8. Introduce Play and Group Experiences
Childcare provides opportunities for children to play alongside others, explore activities and gradually develop social skills.
Before starting, you might introduce group experiences through:
- Playdates with familiar children
- Library story sessions
- Visits to local playgrounds
- Simple turn-taking games at home
- Singing, reading or creative activities together
These experiences can help your child become familiar with spending time around other children.
However, your child doesn’t need to be fully independent, share perfectly or confidently join every group activity before starting childcare.
Babies, toddlers and preschoolers develop social skills at different stages.
Educators can support these skills through everyday play and interactions.
9. Keep the First Morning Calm and Unhurried
A relaxed first morning can help reduce unnecessary stress for the whole family.
Prepare as much as possible the night before, including clothing, bags, forms and travel arrangements.
On the day, allow extra time for breakfast, getting dressed and travelling to the centre.
Here’s a simple example of how to approach the morning:
Before leaving home: Have breakfast, get dressed and check that everything is packed.
On the way: Talk calmly about where you’re going and remind your child that you’ll return.
When you arrive: Greet the educators, share any important updates and help your child connect with a familiar activity.
At goodbye: Follow your usual routine, reassure your child and hand over to an educator.
If the centre offers orientation visits or gradual settling-in arrangements, ask whether these might suit your child’s needs.
Avoid putting pressure on your child to feel excited immediately. It’s okay if they need time to observe and adjust.
10. Make Time to Reconnect After Childcare
Your child’s first day may involve many new people, activities, sounds and routines.
After collection, they may be excited, tired, quiet or more emotional than usual.
Give them time to reconnect in a way that suits them.
You could:
- Share a cuddle
- Read a favourite book together
- Enjoy a quiet activity at home
- Offer time to rest
- Talk about the day if they’re interested
Try not to ask too many questions immediately if your child seems tired.
You can also speak with their educators about how the day went, including what your child enjoyed, how they responded to routines and whether anything may help with their next visit.
What Should You Ask Your Childcare Centre Before the First Day?
Knowing what to expect can make the transition easier for parents as well as children.
Before your child starts, consider asking these questions:
- What does the first-day drop-off process involve? Find out where to go, who will greet your child and how the handover works.
- Are orientation visits or shorter introductory sessions available? Ask what settling-in options the centre offers.
- How will educators comfort my child if they’re upset? Understanding the centre’s approach can help you prepare a consistent goodbye routine.
- How will I receive updates about my child’s day? Confirm how the centre communicates with families.
- What should I pack? Request a current packing list so you don’t bring unnecessary items.
- What forms and information must be completed? Check enrolment, emergency contact, medical and collection arrangements.
You may also want to ask about meals, rest routines and how educators accommodate your child’s individual needs.
These conversations can help establish clear communication between your family and the centre from the beginning.
What to Expect on Your Child’s First Day at Childcare
Every childcare centre has its own routine, but your child’s first day will generally focus on becoming familiar with the environment, educators and daily activities.
Meeting the Educators
An educator may welcome your child, confirm important information and help them become comfortable in the room.
This is a good time to share any last-minute updates about your child’s sleep, health or mood.
Exploring the Learning Environment
Your child may be introduced to toys, books, creative activities and indoor or outdoor play spaces.
Some children begin exploring immediately. Others prefer to stay close to an educator or observe before joining in.
Both responses can be part of adjusting to a new setting.
Joining Daily Activities
Depending on their age, interests and individual needs, your child may participate in play-based learning, meals, outdoor experiences and rest periods.
At GloryKids, children have access to indoor learning rooms and outdoor spaces that include sandpits, active play areas and natural learning features.
You can explore these spaces on the GloryKids facilities page.
Becoming Familiar With the Routine
Your child may need support when moving between activities, eating meals or settling for rest.
Educators can help them become familiar with the day’s rhythm while responding to their needs.
It’s normal for the first day to look different from your child’s usual routine at home.
What if Your Child Cries on Their First Day at Childcare?
It’s common for young children to feel upset when separating from a parent or familiar caregiver, particularly in a new environment.
Some children cry at drop-off but settle once they begin playing. Others need more time and individual reassurance.
If your child becomes upset:
- Acknowledge their feelings calmly.
- Follow your usual goodbye routine.
- Allow an educator to offer comfort.
- Avoid leaving without saying goodbye.
- Ask the centre how your child settled after you left.
- Discuss additional support if distress continues.
Try not to judge the entire childcare experience by one difficult morning.
What matters is how your child is supported and whether they gradually begin to feel more comfortable.
If distress remains significant or you’re concerned about your child’s wellbeing, speak with the educators and consider seeking advice from an appropriate health professional.
Related reading planned: How to Manage Separation Anxiety When Starting Childcare.
How Long Does It Take for a Child to Settle Into Childcare?
There is no fixed timeframe for a child to settle into childcare.
Some children become comfortable within a few days, while others need several weeks or longer to adjust to new people and routines.
The transition may be influenced by factors such as:
- Your child’s age and temperament
- Previous experiences away from familiar caregivers
- How frequently they attend childcare
- Their individual routines and support needs
- The relationships they develop with educators
Rather than focusing on a specific number of days, look for gradual signs of progress.
Your child may begin showing interest in activities, accepting comfort from educators or participating more confidently in daily routines.
Progress may not be the same every day. A child who has settled well may still have a difficult drop-off occasionally.
Keep communicating with educators so you can adjust the approach together if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Starting Childcare
What should I do the night before my child's first day at childcare?
Pack and label your child’s belongings, prepare their clothes and confirm the drop-off arrangements. Check that all required forms, emergency contacts and medical information have been provided. A calm evening routine can also help make the next morning feel less rushed.
What should my toddler bring on their first day of childcare?
A toddler may need spare clothes, a labelled hat, a water bottle, toileting supplies and a permitted comfort item. Requirements vary between centres, so always check the specific packing list before the first day.
Should I stay with my child on their first day of childcare?
This depends on the centre’s settling-in arrangements and your child’s individual needs. Some centres offer orientation visits or gradual introductory sessions. Ask the educators what options are available and how they recommend approaching the first drop-off.
Is it normal for a child to cry when starting childcare?
Yes. Some children become upset when separating from a parent or adjusting to an unfamiliar environment. A predictable goodbye routine, reassurance and support from educators can help. If your child experiences ongoing significant distress, discuss additional support with the centre.
How can I help my child feel comfortable at childcare?
Visit the centre beforehand, talk about what to expect, share your child’s needs with educators and keep morning routines consistent. Give your child time to build familiarity and trust.
Ready for Your Child’s First Day at Childcare?
Preparing your child for childcare doesn’t mean every moment will go perfectly. It means giving them the reassurance, familiarity and support they need as they begin a new chapter.
By visiting the centre, preparing their belongings, building a consistent routine and communicating with educators, you can help make their first day feel more manageable.
At GloryKids Childcare & Kindergarten, we welcome families from Narre Warren and surrounding suburbs to explore our learning environment and learn more about our approach to early childhood education.
If you’re getting ready to start childcare, book a tour of GloryKids to meet our educators, explore the facilities and discuss your child’s needs before their first day.
