Going back to work after being home with your child can be nerve-wracking for both you and your child. To ensure a smooth, stress-free transition to daycare for your toddler, it's a good idea to spend some time planning a deliberate approach instead of just winging it. Here are four tips for making sure your toddler is ready for a daycare like Cottonwood Montessori:

Try to Stay Positive

You may be experiencing a wide range of emotions regarding going back to work and bringing your child to daycare, including a mixture of excitement, anxiety, and guilt. No matter what you're feeling, it's important to remember that kids are sensitive to their parents' feelings and attitudes.

Your attitude toward daycare will rub off on your child, so aim to remain enthusiastic and positive in how you present daycare to them. Explain that they get to spend time each day playing with other little kids and learning fun things. If you present daycare as a positive, exciting transition, your child will be less likely to feel afraid.

Plan a Few Preview Visits

If you still have a few weeks or months before you go back to work, try scheduling a few short daycare stays now. Start with a tour, and visit where both you and your child get to become more familiar with the facility and the teachers. Then, schedule a morning of daycare once a week or so, giving your child a chance to get used to daycare before they start attending on a more regular basis. By the time you go back to work, your toddler will already be comfortable with daycare, and the transition will be much easier.

Choose the Right Daycare

It's also important to choose a daycare that is the best fit for your child's unique needs and temperament. A lively daycare with lots of other children and noisy activity may be fun for some children but overwhelming for others. If your child is shy or easily over-stimulated, you may want to look for a small in-home daycare with only a few other toddlers and lots of quiet time.

Make Friends with Other Daycare Parents

Once you sign up for daycare, make an effort to exchange contact information and get to know a few of the other parents. This allows you the opportunity to set up play dates so your child can bond with their new classmates outside of daycare, making daycare a more meaningful experience.

By following these tips, you will ensure an easier transition to daycare for both your toddler and yourself.