How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Day of Daycare

Before the First Day

Think and Talk About Daycare in a Positive, Gentle Way

By the time you’ve chosen childcare, you’ve likely done a great deal of research, asked thoughtful questions, and followed your instincts as a parent. If you’ve decided to join Komal’s Daycare, we want you to feel confident in that choice.

We are a fully state licensed program, and over the years we’ve helped more than 500 children navigate their very first day of daycare. Through it all, our number one priority has always been, and will always be, happy, healthy children.

In the days leading up to the first day, try to shift from worry into excitement. Talk about daycare in a light, encouraging way. Mention playing outside, meeting new friends, story time, art, and the small moments your child will enjoy each day. Children are incredibly sensitive to tone and energy. When you speak with calm confidence and genuine excitement, your child feels safer and more prepared.

It’s normal to feel nervous, but this is also a moment filled with possibility. Your child is about to experience new friendships, new routines, and so many joyful learning moments. Trust the care you’ve chosen, take a deep breath, and let yourself feel excited about what’s ahead for them in our care.

Practice Separations and Create Goodbye Rituals

It can be tempting to avoid separations when a child becomes upset, but research shows that avoiding separations can actually increase anxiety over time. Clinical psychologist Dr. Stephanie Schwartz explains that children benefit from practicing separations in a predictable, gradual way rather than avoiding them altogether.

Start with separations that feel easiest for your child, such as short separations or separations with familiar people or places, and slowly build toward longer or more challenging ones. This gradual exposure helps children learn that separations are temporary and manageable, and research shows it is more effective and less distressing than beginning with a long or difficult separation.

Creating a consistent goodbye ritual can also help. A special hug, a short phrase, or a predictable routine gives children clarity about what is happening and helps reduce uncertainty and anxiety. (See research from Childmind: How to Separate from Clingy Kids)

Look at Our Schedule and Start Easing Into It at Home

You can view our daily rhythm here https://www.komalsdaycare.com/about-us

If possible, begin shifting your child’s meals and naps closer to our routine. Our rest period is from 1 to 4. Even small adjustments ahead of time can make the first week feel smoother and more familiar.

Visit the Daycare Before the First Day

We offer after hours visits so children can explore the space in a calm environment. Even a short visit helps them recognize the room, toys, and teachers when they return for their first full day.

If your child did not attend the initial tour, feel free to reach out to see if we can schedule an after hours visit or playtime before the first day.

Pack Everything You Need for the First Day

Please bring the following items as applicable

• Diapers (if not potty trained)

• Wipes (if not potty trained)

• Milk bottles

• Water bottle

• An extra set of clothes

• Baby food of choice (if not on solids)

• A napping mat such as a Wildkin Kids sleeping bag

• A portable booster seat such as the Bright Starts Pop N Sit

Please avoid sending toys or special items from home. Other children naturally want to play with them, which can lead to conflict or hurt feelings. Keeping personal items at home helps the day stay smooth and peaceful for everyone.

The Big Day

If your child is sick or having an especially hard morning, please let us know. We are always happy to adjust the start date by a day or two if needed. Our goal is to set your child up for success.

Start the Morning With Connection and a Nourishing Breakfast

A strong morning makes a big difference. Offer a healthy and filling breakfast so your child starts the day with steady energy. Spend a few minutes doing something they enjoy before leaving the house. This might be reading together, sharing a cuddle, or letting them choose a simple activity. These moments help children feel grounded and emotionally supported.

Dress Them in Comfortable, Play Ready Clothes

Choose clothes that are easy to move in and okay to get messy. We spend time outdoors every day and do hands on activities that invite exploration. Comfort helps children focus on play and learning without distraction.

Keep Goodbyes Short, Clear, and Confident

One of the most common questions we hear from families is about drop off. Many parents wonder if coming inside and staying for the first day or week will help their child adjust more easily. This instinct comes from love and care. However, research consistently shows that brief, confident goodbyes help children adjust more smoothly than prolonged ones.

• Lingering causes more distress: Research from pediatricians and child psychologists from observing preschool drop off behavior shows that when parents linger, children experience more distress, increased clinginess, and more difficulty engaging in play. Children whose parents say a clear goodbye and leave calmly are more likely to settle and redirect into routine more quickly. See Research: A Naturalistic Observation of Social Behaviors during Preschool Drop Off

• When you're nervous they're nervous: Children are highly attuned to their parents’ emotional cues. Even subtle hesitation can increase anxiety. Research shows that parental confidence during separation plays a major role in how quickly children regulate. See Research published in the National Library of Medicine: Parenting Matters: Parents can Reduce or Amplify Children's Anxiety

• Strangers in the classroom are a distraction: The classroom environment matters as well. Early childhood spaces rely on predictable routines and emotional consistency. When unfamiliar adults remain in the room, it can disrupt a sense of safety for both the child being dropped off and other children adjusting at the same time

• Don't sneak out! It is also important not to sneak out. Decades of research shows that sneaking away increases distress and can undermine trust. Clear and honest goodbyes support secure attachment and reduce anxiety over

Finally, remember that it gets easier with time. Research consistently finds that crying and protest are most intense on the first day and decrease as children become familiar with the environment and routine.

Although a quick goodbye can feel hard in the moment, it is one of the kindest and most supportive things you can do. A short hug, a consistent goodbye phrase, and a confident exit communicate safety, trust, and belief in your child.

A Final Note From Us

Starting daycare is a transition for the whole family. It is completely normal to feel a mix of excitement, pride, and worry. We understand that feeling well, and we are here to make this change as gentle as possible.

During the first week, we pay close attention to how each child is adjusting. Some jump right into play. Others warm up slowly. Both are completely normal. We follow your child’s pace and offer comfort and support as they find their rhythm.

By the end of the first or second week, most children begin to recognize the space, teachers, and flow of the day. This is when their personalities start to shine. We see curiosity grow, friendships begin, and the small moments that make each day meaningful.

Thank you for trusting us with your child. It is a responsibility we hold with great care. We are excited to welcome your family and support your child through their very first days of daycare.

If you ever have questions or want help preparing, please reach out. We are here for you every step of the way.