How to Prepare Your 2-Year-Old for Their First Day of Childcare
Starting childcare can be tough for both you and your 2-year-old. But with the right preparation, you can make the transition smoother and less stressful. Here's a quick guide:
Set Daily Routines: Create consistent morning and bedtime schedules to help your child feel secure. Mimic childcare activities like circle time or quiet time at home.
Visit the Childcare Centre: Take your child to the centre for short visits before their first day. Gradually increase the time spent there to help them adjust.
Build Social and Self-Care Skills: Encourage group play to develop sharing and communication. Teach basic self-care like handwashing and using a spoon.
Pack Essentials: Include spare clothes, a comfort item, and weather-appropriate gear. Label everything with your child’s name.
Create a Drop-Off Routine: Be consistent - say goodbye clearly and avoid sneaking away. This builds trust and helps your child settle.
Preparation to Start Toddler Day Care | Tips and Essentials ...
Setting Daily Routines
Creating daily routines can help your toddler feel more secure and prepared for childcare. Studies show that predictable routines allow children to understand what’s expected and build healthy habits.
Planning Morning and Bedtime Schedules
A steady morning routine can ease anxiety. Here are some practical tips to make mornings smoother:
Prepare the night before: Pack bags and set out clothes to avoid last-minute stress.
Stick to a wake-up time: Keeping the same wake-up time every day - even on weekends - helps regulate your child’s internal clock.
Ease into transitions: Give your toddler a 5-minute heads-up before switching activities.
"Never is a routine more helpful than when your child is growing so much developmentally...not having a routine can result in over-tiredness and even bedtime battles in the evening." - Rachel Norman, Routine Queen
Using picture charts to show daily activities can help your toddler follow along independently.
"Just like adults, children feel more confident and secure when their daily activities are predictable and familiar." - Head Start
Consistency is key, but don’t rush transitions. Allow extra time to keep things calm for both you and your child. Keep explanations simple and offer regular praise to reduce separation anxiety.
Building a dependable routine now lays a strong foundation for your toddler to feel confident in the childcare environment.
Getting to Know the Childcare Centre
Helping your child adjust to Little Dinosaurs Childcare before their first day can make the transition smoother. Research shows that pre-start visits can ease this process.
Visit Little Dinosaurs Childcare
Start these visits at least two weeks before the first day. Let your child explore the play areas, join in group activities, and spend time with their future teachers.
In addition to these visits, you can prepare your child further with fun activities at home.
Read Books and Play Pretend
Books and pretend play are great tools to help your toddler understand what to expect at the centre. Some popular Kiwi picks include:
First Day by Margaret Wild
Victoria Bubbles and the Great Preschool Adventure by Lizzie Dingle
Tom Goes to Kindergarten by Margaret Wild
At home, mimic the kinds of activities they’ll do at the centre, like art, reading, building with blocks, or dramatic play. Role-playing with toys can also help them imagine positive experiences and feel more confident about joining in at the centre.
Developing Key Skills
Now that your toddler is comfortable with the centre, it's time to focus on building their social and self-care skills.
Start with short sessions of 15–20 minutes and gradually extend the time. Make sure to praise your toddler when they share or cooperate with others.
"It's the frequency of exposure that will be important, not the duration... multiple, brief exposures... will help the kiddo build a repertoire of experiences where she is successful, therefore promoting greater generalizability across situations." – Withzestandzeal
You can also briefly step away during playtime, letting your child see you return quickly. This helps them understand that separations are temporary.
While social play is important, developing self-care skills is equally essential for fostering independence.
Teach Basic Self-Care
Self-care skills not only build independence but also prepare your child for the routines of childcare. Here are some key areas to focus on:
Hygiene Basics
Use a child-height step stool by the bathroom sink.
Pick a soap with a fun scent and good lather.
Teach sneezing into the elbow.
Make handwashing enjoyable by using songs that last 20 seconds.
Self-Feeding SkillsEncourage your toddler to eat independently, even if it gets messy. Place healthy snacks within easy reach and provide child-sized utensils and cups to help them feel more confident.
"This is the 'I want to do it myself' age. Watching your child grow increasingly independent can be bittersweet, but learning to take care of herself is an important part of your child's personal and social development." – Nancy Montgomery
Books can also be a great tool. Use them to label emotions and discuss how characters feel, helping your child navigate their own emotions with confidence. These small steps ease the transition into daily childcare routines.
Plan the Drop-Off Routine
A consistent drop-off routine helps set expectations and makes the transition smoother:
Have your child place their bag in their cubby and wash their hands.
Help them settle with a favourite activity or introduce them to a teacher.
Give them a hug, say goodbye clearly, and leave without lingering.
"Children thrive on routine just like most adults, but unlike grownups, children have little control over their day, so that can feel extra stressful for them." - Christina Vaan, Kindertales
Avoid sneaking away - it’s important to stick to the routine to build trust.
Communicate with Teachers
Before the first day, share important details about your child with the teachers. Cover these key areas:
Daily Routines
Sleep patterns and how they settle
Food preferences and any allergies
Toileting habits and signals
Comfort strategies for when they’re upset
Communication Preferences
Your preferred method for updates
Emergency contact details
Pick-up arrangements
Any specific concerns you may have
"Establishing a predictable goodbye routine...will let your child know what will happen next, making it easier to cope with the transition." - Julia Luckenbill, NAEYC
Next Steps
After the initial preparations, settling into childcare is an ongoing process. Research indicates that while some children adjust quickly, others may take up to six months to feel fully comfortable.
To help your child transition smoothly, keep communication open. Regularly chat with teachers during drop-off and pick-up times. Share updates on things like your child’s sleep patterns, recent milestones, changes at home, or any new interests they’ve developed.
"Children feel safe with people they know well and trust. So one of the best things you can do is help your child build trusting relationships with their educators." - Raising Children Network.
It’s normal for children to shed a few tears during separation, but these moments are usually short-lived. By consistently supporting your child, you’ll help them build strong connections with their educators and peers, setting the foundation for a positive childcare experience.
