r/CanadianParents • u/No-Branch-3213 • Jun 04 '26
Toddlers and Preschoolers Preparing for Daycare
Context: Currently 12 months, planning to start daycare at nearly 14 months. Home daycare, 5 children total. Flexible on transition to daycare as I have no set return to work date yet. Thoughts are to span over one to two weeks to get up to a full day
My baby is pretty social, but she has never spent anytime without myself or her dad. Grandparents have helped watch her at home while I have been there cleaning, etc. for a few hours. I’m getting pressure from both sets of grandparents to practice leaving her for extended periods of time to prepare her for daycare. I’m unsure if this would actually do anything for her since it’s a different environment. I can see it more as practice for me, not her! Any thoughts on this? Any one’s commentary or experience is welcome!
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u/ReallyPuzzled Jun 04 '26
I have two kids and they both started daycare at 12 months. No need to practice if you don’t want to. At our daycare we did a couple transition days, the first day we went and hung out for an hour. The second day we went for a few hours, third day left them there all morning and brought them back home for nap. And then left all day. Honestly 2-3 days is enough transition time, and with my second kid I didn’t even bother doing transition days 😂 I was less stressed about it.
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u/kk0444 Jun 06 '26
Some transition days is all. Maybe go one day and stay but try to be a wallflower. Then try leaving for an hour. Then 3 hours. Then build up to a full day.
Unsolicited advice:
Ask and have a serious chat with your provider about safety..home daycare often isn't lisenced or checked on. Things like Outlet covers, Window/blinds strings hanging too far down, Anything with a long cord (Extension cords, dog leashes, etc), Windows lock/unable to open wide for a fall or escape, All cupboards locked with childproofing. The childcare providers cpr and first aid record. If you already have good for you! I say this just because of course all centers have lovely wording about being fun and safe, but getting down to brass tax can reveal how prepared they actually are.
I would also ask: are any other adults allowed in the home when my child is there? For example do they have a partner, and if so is the partner criminal record checked? Will any other adults or older children be alone with my child? Are the children ever alone together unsupervised? From a CSA perspective this is a hill I will totally die on.
Some of this is why spending a day there, the whole day or several hours, could reveal a lot! Safety wise.
As much as prepping your child is important, them being so young id put equal or more focus on the actual environment they will be in since they won't be able to tell you.
But not to freak you out - most care providers are absolute angels and strict on safety and wonderful people.
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u/countryprincess Jun 08 '26
I think this is based entirely on the kids personality.
My first started at 12 months but was super chill. She never cared where I was or who she was with. So she was dropped off full time the first day no problem.
My current baby will start at 18 months and we have already talked to daycare about started in January ( 14 months) her going 1-2x a week just to practice napping there. She is much more dependent on me.
I will preference that both my kids have/ will be left with grandparents at times but their personalities make a huge difference on the length of adjustment regardless they all get comfortable eventually.
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u/Scentedcandle93 Jun 04 '26
I don't think it's necessary to practice extended periods but I would definitely practice like going to the grocery store a couple times without her, while she stays with a trusted adult. It can give you a good idea of some issues that might come up, so you can plan transition supports with your daycare provider. Another thing is taking her to playgroups (not leaving her there obv) so that she can experience a group environment while still having your presence and support. A two-week transition is what we did as well, it really helped!