First Week of Daycare Guide 2026: What to Expect and How to Prepare

The first week of daycare is a major milestone for both children and parents. Knowing what to expect, how to prepare, and what's normal can make this transition much smoother.

This guide covers everything about your child's first week at daycare in 2026: day-by-day expectations, preparation tips, and how to handle the emotional ups and downs.

Table of Contents

• Before the First Day
• Day by Day: What to Expect
• Handling Separation
• Common First Week Challenges
• Signs Things Are Going Well
• Parent Survival Tips
• After the First Week

---

Before the First Day

Setting up for success.

Two Weeks Before

Paperwork and logistics:

• [ ] Complete all enrollment forms
• [ ] Provide immunization records
• [ ] Set up payment method
• [ ] Download communication app
• [ ] Confirm start date and schedule

Get to know the daycare:

• [ ] Visit with your child
• [ ] Meet teachers by name
• [ ] Walk through the space
• [ ] Observe the daily routine
• [ ] Ask remaining questions

One Week Before

Prepare your child:

• [ ] Talk positively about daycare
• [ ] Read books about starting school
• [ ] Practice goodbye routines
• [ ] Adjust sleep schedule if needed
• [ ] Visit playground at daycare

Practical prep:

• [ ] Label all belongings
• [ ] Gather supplies needed
• [ ] Plan first-day outfit (easy to manage)
• [ ] Prepare comfort item if allowed
• [ ] Pack diaper bag or backpack

Supplies Checklist

Typically needed:

• [ ] Extra clothes (2-3 changes)
• [ ] Diapers and wipes (if applicable)
• [ ] Comfort item (blanket, stuffed animal)
• [ ] Crib sheet (some centers)
• [ ] Bottles/sippy cups (labeled)
• [ ] Sunscreen (if required)
• [ ] Family photo
• [ ] Backpack

Night Before

Prepare everything:

• Lay out clothes
• Pack bag completely
• Prepare lunch if applicable
• Set earlier alarm (buffer time)
• Go to bed early (everyone)

---

Day by Day: What to Expect

Realistic expectations for the first week.

Day 1: Everything Is New

What happens:

• Arrive and meet teachers
• Tour the space together
• Observe your child engaging
• Say goodbye (brief!)
• Leave

Normal reactions:

• Curiosity about new environment
• Clinging when you leave
• Crying (possibly a lot)
• Looking for you throughout day
• Relief when you return

For parents:

• Tears (yours) are normal
• Stay busy to cope
• It's okay to call for updates
• Give yourself grace

Day 2: Reality Sets In

What happens:

• Child may anticipate separation
• Drop-off might be harder than Day 1
• Starting to learn routine
• May be more tired

Normal reactions:

• Resistance to going
• Crying at drop-off
• Asking about you during day
• Exhaustion by evening

Day 3: The Low Point

Often the hardest day:

• Novelty worn off
• Routine not established yet
• May be cumulative exhaustion
• Peak of transition stress

What to do:

• Stay consistent
• Keep goodbye brief
• Trust the process
• Don't give up

Day 4: Glimmers of Hope

You might notice:

• Slightly easier drop-off
• Starting to engage with activities
• Remembering teachers' names
• Less crying or shorter duration

Keep going:

• Maintain routine
• Celebrate small wins
• Stay connected with teachers

Day 5: End of Week 1

Typical experience:

• Some improvement
• Still not fully adjusted
• Exhausted child (and parents)
• Made it through!

Reality check:

• One week is just the beginning
• Full adjustment takes 2-6 weeks
• Progress isn't linear
• You're all doing great

---

Handling Separation

The hardest part for most.

The Perfect Drop-Off

Step-by-step:

1. Arrive with confidence
2. Greet teachers warmly
3. Help child engage with activity
4. Give clear goodbye ("I love you, see you after snack!")
5. One hug, one kiss
6. Leave promptly
7. Don't look back

What NOT to Do

Avoid:

• Long, drawn-out goodbyes
• Sneaking away
• Coming back after leaving
• Showing your anxiety
• Negotiating ("just one more hug")
• Hovering at the door

Goodbye Rituals

Create a consistent routine:

• Special handshake
• "Butterfly kisses"
• "Love you, see you later!"
• High five and wave
• Heart drawing in palm

When They Cry

Remember:

• Crying at drop-off is NORMAL
• Most stop within 5-15 minutes
• Ask for update after 30 minutes
• Trust the teachers to comfort
• Your leaving helps them adjust

Ask About Progress

Check in about:

• How long did crying last?
• What helped them calm?
• How was the rest of the day?
• What did they enjoy?

---

Common First Week Challenges

And how to handle them.

Sleep Disruption

What you'll see:

• Trouble falling asleep
• Night waking
• Early morning wake-ups
• Shorter naps at daycare

What to do:

• Maintain bedtime routine
• Earlier bedtime if needed
• Patience—it will normalize
• Communicate nap schedule with daycare

Behavior Changes

Common reactions:

• More clingy at home
• Tantrums (age-dependent)
• Regression (thumb-sucking, accidents)
• Extra needy

What helps:

• Extra connection time
• Patience
• Consistent limits
• Validate feelings

Not Eating Well

Why it happens:

• New environment
• Different food
• Too distracted
• Missing comfort of home meals

What to do:

• Don't panic
• Offer healthy food at home
• Pack favorites if sending lunch
• Give time to adjust
• Focus on overall intake, not single meals

Illness

The reality:

• First illness often comes quickly
• Group settings mean germ exposure
• Building immunity takes time
• Plan for sick days

What to expect:

• More colds than before
• Ear infections possible
• Stomach bugs occasionally
• Gets better over time

Refusing to Go

If your child says "no":

• Acknowledge feelings
• Stay firm and calm
• Keep routine consistent
• Don't negotiate extensively
• Reassure you'll return

---

Signs Things Are Going Well

What success looks like.

Positive Indicators

Watch for:

• Crying stops soon after you leave
• Engages in activities during day
• Talks about daycare at home
• Mentions teachers or friends
• Increasingly easier drop-offs
• Happy to see you at pickup

Timeline for Adjustment

Typical progression: | Week | What to Expect | |------|---------------| | 1 | Survival mode | | 2 | Starting to settle | | 3 | Routine forming | | 4 | Noticeably easier | | 6+ | Usually adjusted |

When to Be Concerned

Seek help if:

• No improvement after 4-6 weeks
• Crying lasts all day
• Complete refusal to eat
• Extreme behavior changes
• Physical symptoms (stomach aches daily)
• Your gut says something's wrong

---

Parent Survival Tips

Taking care of yourself.

Managing Your Emotions

Normal feelings:

• Guilt
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Relief (and guilt about relief)
• Worry

Coping strategies:

• Talk about your feelings
• Connect with other parents
• Remind yourself why this is right for your family
• Focus on the benefits
• Give yourself grace

Staying Busy After Drop-Off

Helpful strategies:

• Go straight to activity (work, errands)
• Call a friend
• Exercise
• Don't sit in the parking lot crying (for long)
• Plan something productive

Connecting After Pickup

Reunion tips:

• Be fully present
• Give undivided attention
• Ask about their day
• Cuddle and reconnect
• Low-key evening (they're tired)

Building Your Support System

Reach out to:

• Other daycare parents
• Friends who've been there
• Partner for sharing load
• Online parent communities
• Therapist if needed

---

After the First Week

What comes next.

Week 2 and Beyond

Continue to:

• Maintain consistent routine
• Celebrate progress
• Communicate with teachers
• Be patient
• Expect ups and downs

Watch for:

• Continued improvement
• New challenges as they arise
• Building relationships
• Growing independence

Establishing New Routine

Family adjustments:

• Morning routine streamlined
• Evening routine adapted
• Weekend rhythm
• Ongoing communication with daycare

Building Daycare Relationships

Invest in:

• Knowing teachers' names
• Brief daily check-ins
• Reading all communications
• Attending events
• Being a partner, not just client

---

First Week Checklist

Before Day 1

• [ ] All paperwork complete
• [ ] Supplies labeled and ready
• [ ] Communication app set up
• [ ] Visited with child
• [ ] Met teachers
• [ ] Goodbye routine planned

Each Day

• [ ] Arrive with calm confidence
• [ ] Brief, loving goodbye
• [ ] Leave promptly
• [ ] Stay busy during day
• [ ] Check in (if needed)
• [ ] Warm reunion at pickup
• [ ] Low-key, connected evening

End of Week 1

• [ ] Celebrate surviving!
• [ ] Note what's working
• [ ] Identify challenges
• [ ] Plan for Week 2
• [ ] Give yourself grace
• [ ] Trust the process

---

Resources

• Find Quality Daycare Near You
• Separation Anxiety Guide
• Best Age to Start Daycare
• Questions to Ask Daycare Providers

---

Last updated: December 2025