Transitioning a 2YO to a New Daycare

[Anonymous]

We're moving next month and with that move we'll be putting my 23MO in a new daycare. What should I expect from a transition standpoint? Will he have a rough go of it to a point where I should plan to be there for a couple hours at first, then half days at first, then longer days, etc.? (though all that seems kind of extreme...) Or, do I just drop him off for a few half days or just go all in and drop him off for a full day day 1? Would love advice from anyone who's been there/done that!

[Anonymous]

No, you don't stay in the class with him. That will just make it harder for your kid and the teachers. Your kid might not have any issues at all. Most kids are really quick to adapt to a new school or schedule.

[Anonymous]

If you can, start with 1 or 2 half days. I think taking your kid, letting them see the place and become a little familiar, before asking them to go all day is a nice thing. It's not required, obviously, but if you can swing it I'd do that.

Then for the first full day (which involves nap) they'll be a bit more comfortable. I'd still expect a week or two of transitioning stress though.

[Anonymous]

OP here: thanks! the super attentive version seemed extreme but I wasn't sure. 1/2 days won't be a problem for sure.

I definitely expect a few weeks of transition stress, especially since we'll be in a new house. Any advice on how to ease that transition?

[Anonymous]

I'd expect one week of honeymoon, followed by 2-3 weeks of transition stress, so it'll be a month before it's "normal."

Half days are great, but send him every day. It gets too confusing if some days are school days and some are not.

With the move, set up his room first so that he feels at home there. Don't wash the bedsheets so they smell "right" while he's trying to fall asleep the first night. If you act like it's an adventure, he will think so too!

[Anonymous]

Kids adapt quickly. When my son switched daycare at that age the first week was really rough. Lots of tears at dropoff and it hurt to leave him. I definitely agree that you need to give them a big hug, tell them you love then and will be back later and just go. The longer you linger the harder it is. half day s at first is a nice transition.

FWIW while the first week was really rough with each day getting worse, the following Monday was actually fine. So it was really only one really bad week.

As for home transition. We moved when my son was 2.5 and it was not a big deal at all. he woke up early the first day or 2 in his new room, but was fine after that. I do agree with setting up his room first and making sure all his favorite things are in place.

[Anonymous]

We did this. It was two weeks of very tearful and difficult drop-offs. We were not able to do half days, and I actually don't think we needed to because DD stopped crying a few minutes after drop off every time (I would call each day to check) and was doing fine at pick up, and it helped her get used to all day. After two weeks no more issues.

[Anonymous]

We did this when my DD turned one (transitioned from care with a nanny share and my in laws) and are doing it again at two (got into a better daycare with a language immersion program).

The transition at 1YO was really tough, not gonna lie to you. Granted, DD wasn't accustomed to full time care yet, but she had been with non-family adults before. We did half days for two weeks. She cried most of the day for the first week, cried almost every day at drop off for several weeks, and didn't nap longer than 20 or 30 minutes at daycare before waking up and freaking out for several weeks, maybe even a month. Even now, she is really only truly attached to one of her teachers, and sometimes cries (just for a minute) at drop off if the favorite teacher isn't there. But she is a sensitive kid compared to a lot of my friends' kids and has always tended this way. At any rate, I am seriously dreading the transition when she turns two! Good luck!