Toddler Daycare Guide 2026: What to Expect from Ages 1-3

The toddler years are transformative. Your baby is becoming a little person with opinions, words, and the unstoppable urge to explore everything.

Choosing daycare for this age is different from infant care—the focus shifts from nurturing to learning, from holding to playing, from bottles to meals at a table with friends.

This guide covers everything unique about toddler daycare: what to expect, what makes quality care, and how to find the right program for your 1-3 year old.

Table of Contents

• What Makes Toddler Care Different
• Toddler Daycare Costs in 2026
• Developmental Milestones by Age
• What a Quality Toddler Classroom Looks Like
• Daily Schedule and Routine
• Toddler-Specific Concerns
• Transitioning from Infant Care
• Signs of Quality Toddler Care

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What Makes Toddler Care Different

Toddler care is the bridge between infant nurturing and preschool learning.

The Toddler Age Breakdown

| Age Range | Developmental Stage | Care Focus | |-----------|--------------------| ------------| | 12-18 months | Young Toddler | Mobility, first words, exploration | | 18-24 months | Older Toddler | Language explosion, independence, testing limits | | 24-36 months | Two-Year-Old | Self-regulation, social play, potty training |

How Toddler Care Differs from Infant Care

| Aspect | Infant Care | Toddler Care | |--------|-------------|--------------| | Primary focus | Nurturing, attachment | Exploration, learning | | Staff ratios | 1:3 or 1:4 | 1:4 to 1:6 | | Feeding | Bottles, held during feeding | Table meals with peers | | Sleep | Individual schedules | Group nap time | | Activities | Tummy time, sensory | Active play, art, music | | Communication | Reading cues | Encouraging words |

The Toddler Teacher's Role

Quality toddler teachers:

• Set boundaries lovingly — "I won't let you hit. Hitting hurts."
• Encourage independence — Let children try before helping
• Validate big emotions — "You're mad that it's cleanup time."
• Provide choices — "Do you want the red cup or blue cup?"
• Redirect rather than punish — Guide toward appropriate behavior

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Toddler Daycare Costs in 2026

Toddler care costs less than infant care but more than preschool.

National Averages

| Age Group | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant (0-12 mo) | $1,230 | $14,760 | | Toddler (1-2 yr) | $1,050 | $12,600 | | Preschool (3-5 yr) | $925 | $11,100 |

Cost by State (Toddler Care)

| State | Monthly Cost | |-------|-------------| | Massachusetts | $1,850 | | California | $1,460 | | Connecticut | $1,625 | | New York | $1,580 | | Colorado | $1,400 | | Texas | $850 | | Florida | $925 | | Mississippi | $575 |

Why Toddler Care Costs Less Than Infant

Staffing ratios are the main factor:

| Age | Typical Ratio | Staff Cost Per Child | |-----|---------------|---------------------| | Infant | 1:4 | Higher | | Toddler | 1:6 | Lower | | Preschool | 1:12 | Lowest |

More children per caregiver = lower cost per child.

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Developmental Milestones by Age

Understanding typical development helps you evaluate if daycare is supporting your child.

12-18 Months: The Explorer

Physical:

• Walking independently
• Climbing on furniture
• Stacking 2-3 blocks
• Scribbling with crayons

Language:

• First words (1-5 words)
• Points to communicate
• Follows simple directions
• Understands more than says

Social-Emotional:

• Stranger awareness
• Separation anxiety
• Beginning to play alongside peers
• Shows affection

What daycare should support:

• Safe climbing and movement
• Language-rich environment
• Predictable routines for security
• One-on-one attention

18-24 Months: The Communicator

Physical:

• Running, jumping attempts
• Kicks ball
• Stacks 4-6 blocks
• Turns pages in books

Language:

• 50+ word vocabulary
• Two-word phrases
• Points to body parts
• Follows two-step directions

Social-Emotional:

• Parallel play (next to, not with)
• Beginning empathy
• Big emotions and tantrums
• Strong preferences

What daycare should support:

• Vocabulary building through conversation
• Emotion coaching during tantrums
• Gross motor opportunities
• Choice-making

24-36 Months: The Independent

Physical:

• Climbs well
• Throws ball overhand
• Pedals tricycle
• Dresses with help

Language:

• Sentences of 3-4 words
• Uses pronouns
• Asks questions
• Can be understood by strangers

Social-Emotional:

• Interactive play with peers
• Takes turns (with help)
• Asserts independence ("me do it!")
• Potty training readiness

What daycare should support:

• Social skill development
• Independence encouragement
• Potty training partnership
• Language expansion

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What a Quality Toddler Classroom Looks Like

When you tour, here's what to observe.

Room Setup

Learning centers:

• Block area — Wooden blocks, foam blocks, vehicles
• Dramatic play — Play kitchen, dolls, dress-up
• Art area — Crayons, paper, playdough, washable paints
• Reading nook — Board books, cozy seating
• Sensory table — Sand, water, rice, beans
• Gross motor — Climbers, tunnels, riding toys

Safety features:

• Furniture secured to walls
• No choking hazards
• Outlet covers
• Soft corners
• Safe climbing equipment

Environment:

• Child-height furniture and materials
• Natural lighting
• Labeled areas with pictures and words
• Children's art displayed at their eye level
• Clean, organized, inviting

Teacher Behavior to Observe

Positive signs:

• Getting down to child's eye level
• Talking, singing, reading frequently
• Narrating activities ("You're stacking the blue block!")
• Responding to communication attempts
• Giving choices rather than commands
• Staying calm during tantrums

Red flags:

• Yelling or harsh tones
• Children left to cry without response
• Too much TV or screen time
• Teachers on personal phones
• Punitive discipline (timeout as primary tool)

Staff Ratios

State requirements vary:

• Best: 1:4 (one teacher per 4 toddlers)
• Good: 1:5
• Acceptable: 1:6
• Concerning: Above 1:6

Always ask: "What are your toddler room ratios, and are they maintained all day?"

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Daily Schedule and Routine

Toddlers thrive on predictability. Here's what a typical day looks like.

Sample Toddler Schedule

| Time | Activity | |------|----------| | 7:30-8:30 | Arrival, free play | | 8:30-9:00 | Breakfast | | 9:00-9:30 | Circle time (songs, books) | | 9:30-10:30 | Learning centers / Free play | | 10:30-11:00 | Outdoor play | | 11:00-11:30 | Art or sensory activity | | 11:30-12:00 | Lunch | | 12:00-12:30 | Transition to nap | | 12:30-2:30 | Nap time | | 2:30-3:00 | Wake up, snack | | 3:00-4:00 | Outdoor play | | 4:00-5:00 | Learning centers / Free play | | 5:00-6:00 | Quiet activities, departure |

Key Elements of a Good Schedule

Balance of:

• Active and quiet times
• Indoor and outdoor play
• Group and individual activities
• Teacher-led and child-directed time

Transitions:

• Songs or warnings before changes
• Not rushed
• Visual schedules for predictability

Flexibility:

• Adjusts to children's needs
• Doesn't force tired children to stay awake
• Allows for individual rhythms within structure

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Toddler-Specific Concerns

These issues come up frequently with 1-3 year olds.

Biting

The truth: Biting is common in toddlers. It's developmentally normal (not a sign of bad parenting or daycare).

Why toddlers bite:

• Frustration (can't communicate)
• Teething discomfort
• Exploring cause and effect
• Overwhelm in group settings
• Seeking attention

What good daycares do:

• Supervise closely during play
• Redirect before biting occurs
• Comfort both children
• Communicate with parents
• Document patterns

Questions to ask:

• "What is your biting policy?"
• "How do you prevent biting?"
• "How will I be informed if my child bites or is bitten?"

Tantrums

Why tantrums happen:

• Big emotions, limited control
• Communication frustration
• Overstimulation
• Hunger, tiredness
• Testing limits

Quality response:

• Stay calm and present
• Validate feelings ("You're really frustrated")
• Provide safe space
• Don't punish the tantrum
• Help calm down, then discuss

Red flag: Daycares that shame or punish tantrums ("Stop crying or you'll sit in timeout")

Potty Training

Daycare partnership matters:

• Consistent approach at home and school
• Watch for readiness signs together
• No pressure or punishment
• Accidents handled matter-of-factly

Questions to ask:

• "At what age do you begin potty training?"
• "What does your approach look like?"
• "How do you handle accidents?"
• "How will we communicate about progress?"

More details in our Potty Training at Daycare Guide.

Picky Eating

Toddler eating is challenging. Normal behaviors include:

• Food jags (only wanting one food)
• Refusing previously loved foods
• Playing with food
• Eating different amounts daily

Quality daycare approach:

• Offer variety without pressure
• No forcing or bribing
• Model healthy eating
• Make mealtimes pleasant

Separation Anxiety

Peak around 18 months. Normal behaviors:

• Crying at drop-off
• Clinging to parent
• Resistance to transitions

What helps:

• Consistent goodbye ritual
• Same drop-off routine daily
• Transition object from home
• Caregiver greeting at door

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Transitioning from Infant Care

Moving from the infant room to toddler room is a big change.

When Transitions Happen

Typically between 12-18 months, depending on:

• Developmental readiness
• Room availability
• Daycare policy

What Changes

| Aspect | Infant Room | Toddler Room | |--------|-------------|--------------| | Feeding | Bottles, high chairs | Meals at table | | Sleep | Cribs, individual schedules | Cots, group nap | | Ratios | 1:4 | 1:5 or 1:6 | | Activities | Sensory, tummy time | Learning centers, art | | Environment | Calm, contained | More stimulating, open |

How to Support the Transition

Before:

• Visit the new room together
• Meet new teachers
• Talk about the change positively
• Bring familiar items

During:

• Expect some regression
• Allow extra time at drop-off
• Communicate with new teachers
• Be patient

After:

• Celebrate adjustment
• Continue home routines
• Stay connected with teachers

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Signs of Quality Toddler Care

What to look for that indicates excellent care.

Green Flags

Environment:

• [ ] Clean, organized, inviting space
• [ ] Age-appropriate materials accessible to children
• [ ] Indoor and outdoor play areas
• [ ] Natural lighting and calm atmosphere
• [ ] Children's work displayed

Staff:

• [ ] Low turnover (same faces each visit)
• [ ] Warm, engaged interactions
• [ ] Down at child's level
• [ ] Responsive to children's needs
• [ ] Knowledgeable about child development

Approach:

• [ ] Play-based learning
• [ ] Language-rich environment
• [ ] Positive discipline
• [ ] Partnership with parents
• [ ] Developmentally appropriate expectations

Red Flags

Environment:

• Chaotic or dirty
• Broken toys or equipment
• Inappropriate materials (choking hazards)
• No outdoor space

Staff:

• High turnover
• Disengaged or stressed
• On phones frequently
• Harsh tone with children
• Ignoring crying children

Approach:

• Heavy screen time
• Academic pressure (worksheets for toddlers)
• Punitive discipline
• Rigid schedules ignoring children's needs
• Poor communication with parents

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Questions to Ask at Toddler Room Tours

About Daily Life

1. "What does a typical day look like?"
2. "How much outdoor time do toddlers get?"
3. "What learning activities do you offer?"
4. "How do you handle meal and snack times?"

About Development

1. "How do you support language development?"
2. "What's your approach to potty training?"
3. "How do you handle tantrums and challenging behavior?"
4. "How do you encourage social skills?"

About Communication

1. "How will I know what my child did today?"
2. "What app do you use for updates?"
3. "How can I communicate concerns?"
4. "Do you offer parent-teacher conferences?"

About Safety

1. "What are your toddler room ratios?"
2. "Who will be my child's primary caregiver?"
3. "What is your sick policy?"
4. "How do you handle biting incidents?"

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Your Toddler Daycare Checklist

When Searching

• [ ] Check licensing and inspection reports
• [ ] Look for 1:4 or 1:5 ratios
• [ ] Visit during active play time
• [ ] Watch teacher-child interactions
• [ ] Ask about discipline approach

When Touring

• [ ] Observe environment (clean, organized, inviting)
• [ ] Look at daily schedule
• [ ] Meet the teachers
• [ ] Ask about communication
• [ ] Trust your gut feeling

After Enrolling

• [ ] Complete transition visits
• [ ] Share your child's preferences and needs
• [ ] Establish communication routine
• [ ] Partner on potty training if applicable
• [ ] Stay connected with teachers

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Ready to Find Toddler Care?

Use our daycare directory to find licensed toddler programs near you.

Prepare for tours with our Ultimate Daycare Checklist and 75 Questions to Ask.

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Last updated: December 2025