How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Day of Childcare

Starting Your Childcare Journey Together

Starting childcare is a big milestone for your child and for your whole family. It’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. You might be wondering how your little one will cope with a new environment, new people, and a new routine. The good news is that there is so much you can do to make this transition as smooth and happy as possible.

At Meraki, we’ve helped hundreds of families through their first days. We understand the worries and the questions you have. This guide shares our most helpful advice for preparing your child—and yourself—for a wonderful start to their early learning journey.

Talk About Childcare in a Positive Way

How you talk about childcare has a huge impact on how your child feels about it. Long before their first day, start introducing the idea in a positive and exciting way. Frame it as a special place where they will get to play, learn new things, and make new friends.

You can try:

• Reading stories: Find picture books about starting school or daycare. Reading these together helps normalise the experience and gives your child characters they can relate to.
• Focusing on the fun: Talk about the fun activities they will do, like painting, playing in the sandpit, singing songs, and listening to stories. You could say, “Soon you’ll be going to childcare, just like the big kids! You’ll get to play with so many new toys.”
• Introducing the people: Talk about the educators who will be there to look after them. You can call them by name if you know them. For example, “Your educator, Sarah, can’t wait to meet you and show you the blocks.”

Try to avoid phrases that create anxiety, such as “Don’t worry, it won’t be scary,” as this can introduce a fear that wasn't there before. Keep the conversation light, cheerful, and focused on the adventure ahead.

Visit the Centre Before Day One

Familiarity is the key to comfort. A child who has seen, heard, and smelled their new environment before their first day is much more likely to feel secure. That’s why we strongly encourage all families to take part in orientation sessions.

At our childcare centre in Mooroolbark and our Bayswater early learning centre, we arrange ‘stay and play’ sessions. These visits allow you and your child to explore the rooms, meet the educators, and see other children playing happily. During these visits, your child can stick close to you while they get used to the space at their own pace.

This is a great time to show your child where they’ll eat, sleep, and play. Point out the bathrooms and where their bag will go. The more predictable the environment is, the safer they will feel when you leave them for the first time.

Establish Your New Morning Routine

A calm, predictable morning routine can prevent a lot of stress on the first day. Rushing around creates anxiety for everyone. In the week or two before childcare starts, begin practising your new schedule.

Wake up at the time you’ll need to on a childcare day. Have breakfast, get dressed, and pack a bag, even if you’re not going anywhere. You could even do a practice drive to the centre to understand how long it takes and make the route familiar.

When you have a routine, your child knows what to expect. This sense of order helps them feel in control. On the actual day, a smooth morning will help you and your child arrive at the centre feeling relaxed and ready, rather than flustered and rushed.

What to Pack in Their Bag (and What to Leave)

Packing a bag for childcare is a practical step that can also be a comforting ritual. Involving your child in packing can help them feel part of the process. You can explain what each item is for, which builds their understanding of the day ahead.

Here’s a typical checklist of what to pack:

• Spare clothes: At least two or three full sets, including socks and underwear. Messy play and accidents happen, so it's always good to be prepared!
• A named hat and water bottle: Essential for outdoor play and staying hydrated.
• Nappies and wipes: If your child is in nappies.
• A comfort item: A special soft toy, a dummy, or a small blanket can be a huge source of security. It’s a piece of home they can hold onto if they feel a bit wobbly.
• Any required medications: With a completed medical form. Paediatric Panadol cannot be administered without a doctor's letter.

At Meraki, all meals and snacks are prepared on-site by our centre chef, so you don’t need to worry about packing food unless your child has very specific dietary needs we have discussed with you.

The First Drop-Off: A Loving, Quick Goodbye

The first drop-off is often the hardest part for parents. The secret to a successful goodbye is to make it loving, clear, and quick. Lingering can make separation harder for your child, as it sends a mixed message.

When you arrive, take a few minutes to help your child settle. You might show them an interesting activity or introduce them to an educator. Then, it’s time for the goodbye ritual. Get down to their level, give them a warm hug and kiss, and say something clear and confident like, “I’m going to work now. I love you, and I’ll be back this afternoon to pick you up.”

Then, it’s important to leave. Even if your child starts to cry, walking away is the kindest thing to do. Our educators are experts at comforting and redirecting children. In almost every case, the tears stop a minute or two after the parent is out of sight. A confident, decisive goodbye shows your child that you trust the educators and that their new environment is safe.

Trust Your Educators and Stay Connected

Once you’ve left, it’s completely normal to feel emotional. Feel free to contact us during the day to see how your child is settling in. A quick phone call can provide immense reassurance. We are always happy to give you an update.

Building a partnership with your child’s educators is vital. We are a team, and open communication is the foundation of that team. We use a parent communication app to share photos, updates on meals and sleep, and stories about your child's learning throughout the day. Seeing a photo of your child smiling and happily engaged in an activity can instantly ease your mind.

Remember, our educators have chosen this profession because they love children. They have years of experience in managing separation anxiety and helping little ones feel secure and happy, whether they're in our baby rooms or our funded Three-Year-Old Kinder programme.

After Their First Day: Reconnect and Rest

When you pick your child up after their first day, be prepared for them to be tired and possibly a little emotional. They have just spent a day processing a huge amount of new information, sounds, and social interactions. It’s exciting but also exhausting!

Plan for a quiet, low-key evening. This is not the time for a trip to the supermarket or a busy playdate. Focus on connection—plenty of cuddles, a relaxed dinner, and a calm bedtime story. Let them decompress and recharge in the safety of home.

They may not tell you much about their day, and that’s okay. Instead of asking lots of questions, you could say something simple like, “I missed you today, and I’m so happy to see you.” The first few weeks are an adjustment period. Be patient with your child and with yourself. You’ve both navigated a big step, and soon, this new routine will feel like second nature.

Frequently asked questions

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