The transition from home care by parents or family to out-of-home care is a very sensitive time for
children and parents. The start of daycare begins with getting used to the daycare routine, i.e. introducing
the child to day-to-day life at the daycare center. The child must build trust in a new caregiver and get
used to being with other children. And this is also a time of great change for parents. Letting go of the
child, possibly returning to work, and reorganizing everyday life can be a challenge. What’s the best way
to go about this? How do parents best prepare for this?

First, the organizational aspect. 

You should clarify a few things for yourself or with the daycare center:

• What does our child need for daycare?
• What is plan B if the adjustment takes longer?
• How do we organize ourselves during the acclimatization process?

In order to combine daycare and work in the best possible way, it helps to not only plan the settling in
well, but also to define clear rules between the parents for the time afterwards. This makes everyday
family life easier and prevents stress and arguments in everyday life. We particularly recommend that you
clarify the following questions for yourself.

Prevent stress and arguments in everyday life:

• How do we organize ourselves if the child has to stay at home sick? Who stays with the child? Is there support from extended family or friends?
• Who brings and who picks up the child? If necessary, you should adjust your working hours slightly, for example starting earlier or later in the morning or ending in the evening to better match the drop-off and pick-up times.
• How do we do everything at the same time in the evening after work? Pick up the child, have the food ready quickly without having to forego healthy food, and quality time for the child and also for the parents.
• Arrange Me-Time with your partner: Who can exercise, pursue hobbies, meet friends, etc., and when? Who will be there for the child and when?

Confident parents – confident child

Organization and planning are one thing, but sending the child to daycare also requires an inner
willingness from the parents. There may be parents who see it as a relief and can give up their child
gratefully and without any problems. But at least as often, there are parents who have difficulty with this.
That is normal.

At the same time, parents should be aware that their attitude and behavior towards the daycare center and
the carers have a significant impact on their child’s behavior, especially during the adjustment phase. If
parents go into settling in anxiously and insecurely, with reluctance and are internally unwilling to
separate from their child, the child will most likely also have a problem with it. Children feel their parents’
emotions and take them on. If, on the other hand, parents trust the carers, it is much easier for parents and
children to let go.

So if you find it difficult to let go, try to build up the necessary trust in your carers. Invest some time in
getting to know them, asking about their values and attitudes, and getting a feel for their personality.
Express your concerns to those responsible and strive for open and transparent communication. Because
this is so important, the Pooh Bears Hunny Stop’s supervisors also attach great importance to it.
To make it easier for you to be separated from your child while getting used to it, it makes sense to think
about what you will do when you leave daycare without a child. You will suddenly have time and may be
alone without your child. This usually feels unusual.

Tips to make it easier:

• Trust your child.
• Trust the supervisors. They are trained to provide the best possible care and support for your
• Child. If your child is not feeling well, they will contact you.
• Take a deep breath and use the short time without a child for yourself.
• Take a short walk without having a specific goal in mind.
• Let yourself be pampered, perhaps there will be enough time for a manicure, a round of sport, or
• Simply a break in the café.
• Call or text someone you’ve been wanting to get in touch with for a long time.

How does your life change with a daycare child?

Finally, a few things that parents have to deal with when their child goes to daycare. Because starting your
child at daycare means change for the whole family.

• If the child cannot go to daycare due to illness, your plan for the day will be canceled in the short term. Clear rules as to which parent will take care of when and a calm attitude help to reduce stress.
• It will happen that your child finds it difficult to separate from you in the morning. This can happen from time to time, not just during the adjustment process, but throughout the child’s entire time at daycare. Help your child get through these phases by reacting calmly and confidently. And remember, it’s just a phase and things will change again.
• Your child will always surprise you with new things they learned in daycare.
• In the evening after daycare, your child may be exhausted from all the impressions and need your attention. This can be exhausting if you are exhausted from a long day, but the sooner you give your child your undivided attention, the sooner you will replenish their emotional battery and allow them to move on to other things.
• Your child’s sleep rhythm will adapt to that of the daycare center. Children there usually take theirafternoon nap earlier than at home.If you’re looking for a good daycare center that you can trust when it comes to your beloved child, youcan consider Pooh Bears Hunny Stop. Our center, boasting a legacy since 1981, offers extensivefacilities and a comprehensive, child-centered curriculum led by experienced professionals. Contact us to become a part of our legacy and ensure the best foundation for your child’s future.