How can I prepare my child for childcare before their first day?

Starting childcare for the first time is one of those milestones that can feel both exciting and a little overwhelming - often at the same time. As your first day approaches, it’s completely normal to wonder whether you’ve made the right decision… and whether your child is really ready.

Be kind to yourself - there’s no perfect version of “ready”. Preparing for childcare isn’t about getting everything just right. It’s about giving your child reassurance, building familiarity, and gently introducing what’s to come. Let’s look at what that can actually look like in the lead-up to day one.

What really helps children settle

Familiarity matters more than skills

It’s easy to assume children need to arrive at childcare confident and independent. But in reality, educators expect a wide range of responses:

• some children walk in happily
• others cling tightly at drop-off

Both are completely normal.

What helps most is familiarity. When children have some sense of what childcare is - a place with toys, other children and caring adults - it reduces the unknown and related anxious feelings.

Talking positively about childcare at home and visiting the centre with your child beforehand can help it feel like a known place rather than a new one.

Crying at drop-off is normal

Even well-prepared children may cry at drop-off - this is not necessarily a sign they’re not “ready”. It’s a developmentally appropriate response to separation, especially for younger children. With time and consistent care, most children settle as they build relationships with educators.

Comfort items can help

Bringing something familiar from home can make a big difference. This might include:

• a favourite soft toy
• a comfort item for rest time
• for younger babies, an item of clothing that smells like you

These small things can help bridge the gap between home and childcare.

Things that can help before day one

There’s no perfect formula, but a few simple steps can make the transition easier:

Talk about childcare

Even if your child is very young, talking about what’s coming can help. Simple phrases like:

• “You’re going to see your friends today”
• “We’re going to see your educator”
• “Mum or Dad will come back later”

The most important message is that you will return. Children often understand more than they can express and repetition helps build that sense of predictability.

Take advantage of orientation visits

If your service offers orientation sessions or “stay and play” visits, they’re well worth attending. With you there to support them, these short visits allow your child to:

• explore the space
• meet educators
• see other children playing

The goal isn’t to replicate a full day,  it’s simply to make the environment feel familiar. Children will also look to you for cues. If you feel calm, comfortable and happy to be there, they’re more likely to feel that too.

Read picture books about starting childcare

“One of the most powerful things parents can do is share books with their children - it builds language, understanding and connection all at once.”  - Prof. Tricia Eadie, Early Childhood Education Researcher, University of Melbourne 

Books can be a simple but powerful way to prepare children. It helps make the experience feel predictable and safe. If your child wants to read the same book repeatedly that’s actually helpful. Repetition builds understanding. 

Picture books can help show that: children are dropped off at childcare, they play, eat and are cared for, and (most importantly) their parents come back.

“Shared book experiences support vocabulary, emotional understanding and joint attention - all key foundations for learning.” - Prof. Tricia Eadie, Early Childhood Education Researcher, University of Melbourne 

Things you don’t need to worry about

There’s a lot of advice out there… and not all of it is helpful. Let’s take a few things off your plate:

Toilet training

Many children start childcare:

• in nappies
• or partway through toilet training

This is completely normal. Educators are very experienced in supporting children through this stage. There’s no need to rush toilet training purely because childcare is starting.

Forcing independence

You might feel pressure for your child to:

• put on their own shoes
• tidy up independently
• manage meals perfectly

But childcare is where these skills are learned. Educators guide children through daily routines and children learn a lot by watching others and practising over time.

A final thought

The first day of childcare can feel like a big moment, especially for parents. But children are incredibly adaptable. With consistent care, supportive educators, and a familiar routine, most children settle in surprisingly quickly.

The place that feels new at first often becomes somewhere they feel safe, comfortable and happy to return to. Remember, if you ever feel unsure during those early days, your child’s educators are there to support both you and your child through the transition.