Childcare & Preschool Transitions Guide

The guide you need to ditch the uncertainty and fear, and gain the confidence to prepare your little one to start childcare or preschool.

Picture this: You confidently say goodbye to your little one as they walk into the care of another, because you know you did everything you could to ensure that they feel safe and connected to you, even while you’re away.

You have a childcare or school transition in the near future, and you’re laying in bed at night wondering, “Where do I even start?” You are in a routine and flow with your little one at home, and now all of that has to change. Your child is so used to you, you aren’t even sure if they’ll accept care from another person. You worry about the steps to prepare, picking the perfect type of care for your child, the right words to discuss the transition with your little one, and how to say goodbye. You’ve spent way too much time worrying, when you really just want to have the tools and insight you need to be certain that you are supporting your child in the best way you possibly can.

The good news is, the worry stops here.

Imagine being able to trust that your child feels safe and prepared. Trust that you chose the best childcare option for your child and family. Trust that your new childcare provider knows how to best support your child. Trust that even with time apart, your child feels connected to you and their attachment to you is more solid than ever.

No more worrying or uncertainty, just trust.

Nobody knows your child better than you, and that can feel both empowering, and overwhelming.

Thinking about the day your child has to start childcare or preschool can send that sudden spike of anxiety throughout your body. There are so many things to prepare for. From picking the perfect center or provider, to working out the schedule, to making sure the caregiver understands your child’s needs, to making sure your child feels safe with their new provider, etc. On top of it all, one of the most important preparation steps is most likely last on the list: preparing yourself.

The overwhelming feeling of all of this has you questioning if this is the right move for your child and family. You feel frozen and you aren’t sure where to start.

You’re starting to realize that you need a plan of action so you can not only prepare your child, but prepare yourself. Because let’s be real, this transition is can be so difficult for us parents, too.

The good news is, there’s a way to prepare both yourself AND your child so that you both feel confident about your new childcare or school routine, the environment, and the new providers caring for your child.

The tips you’ve read from Googling articles or quick Instagram posts don’t have the specific focus on the attachment relationship. They don’t tell you how to discuss the transition with your child, even if your child is under 12 months old (yes, you can use the power of your words even with infants). They don’t give you a guide of all of the important questions to ask when choosing the best fit childcare option for your child. They don’t tell you how you can use play to help your child feel prepared and safe with the transition.

That’s why I am sharing all of the tools that I know will prepare both you and your child for their transition into childcare or preschool while nurturing their connection to you.

Introducing

Introducing

The Childcare & Preschool Transitions Guide

A PDF guide with all of the insight and tools you need to prepare your child for their upcoming transition into childcare or preschool.

Topics covered include:

  • Overview of attachment and development (including phases of separation anxiety)

  • Transitioning timing and developmental considerations

  • How to prepare yourself for the transition

  • How to prepare your child step-by-step

  • Transition day: How to say goodbye

  • Your child’s adjustment, responses, and how to support

  • Troubleshooting issues

  • FAQ from parents like you!

90+ pages of information and insight, plus TWO interview guides!

Childcare center interview guide AND a nanny/sitter interview guide!

now includes an audio (mp3) version for you to conveniently listen to on-the-go!

Reviews from parents like you!

“It is amazing! Really, truly. Just such a thorough, kind, thoughtful approach with such practical tips! Really, you should be so proud! I know it must have taken so much work at the time of your life you’re in. It’s brilliant. And incredibly helpful! My kids have been at home with me (and my mom in the afternoons) for their whole lives, so I’m trying to be so thoughtful and take time as they get ready for kindergarten and pre-k at 4 and 5. This helped so much! Xoxo.”

“Thank you so so much for the incredible info you share in this space! I just bought your childcare guide and felt so much more confident when interviewing a nanny this week! Thank you!!!”

“I wanted to send you a big thank you for the childcare transitions guide! My 15-month-old has just started 2 days a week and the transition has gone more smoothly for her AND for me than I ever could have imagined. When I thought about starting childcare my overwhelming feeling was dread. Your guide helped build my confidence in finding the right provider, preparing myself, and preparing my little one. While it was still not my ideal scenario, I felt confident knowing I was doing everything I could to support my daughter (and our family) through the transition.”

“Thanks so much. Just read the guide. Have done two settling visits last week as part of a three week gradual process before my 13 month old starts and found it so much harder than I thought. Your guide has helped me to feel less anxious. I was so worried that I was going to damage her and that sending her would damage her attachment. It’s a great guide and has helped my anxiety already!”

I created Babies and Brains because it is my mission to take my experience and knowledge in birth to five mental health and make it accessible to families around the globe. There are enough confusing myths floating around online, among family members, friends, etc, that only add more anxiety to parenting. I am here to give parents confidence that they can access within through a relaxed and relatable approach.

I don’t see myself as the expert. The only expert on your child is you. I’m not here to teach you THE way. I’m here to help you find your way.

Have we met yet? I’m Michelle!

If you want to feel:

Less stress, more confidence.

Less stress, more confidence.

  • Confident that you picked the best fit childcare or preschool for your child

  • Certain that your child feels connect to you even while you’re away

  • Trust that your provider understands your child’s needs

  • Empowered to create a routine with rituals that work for your child

then the Childcare & Preschool Transitions Guide is what you need!

Have multiple transitions to prepare for?

Bundle and save!

Get the Childcare & Preschool Transitions Guide and New Sibling Guide bundled for a discounted price!

You’ve got questions.

I have answers.

  • This guide was created with children ages 0-6 in mind, however, the tools can still be helpful for children slightly older. You can use the tools as a foundation and modify them to fit your older child's needs!

  • This guide was created with most forms of childcare in mind, including:

    -Traditional childcare center (daycare)

    -Preschool

    -Nanny or sitter

    -Family member's care

    -Home based childcare center

  • I worked in community behavioral health for over 8 years. Through this work, I supported children and families in childcare settings. Part of my role was to attend childcare centers where children were having difficulties, complete observations, and partner with the providers to support the families and children in creating safety to decrease difficult behaviors. I also helped families support their children in transitioning to childcare. Often times, these children had histories of trauma, so we always made sure the transitions were mindful of each child's specific needs.

  • Yes, definitely! While some of the guide is focused on some steps before the transition (like choosing a childcare setting), the insight and tools in this guide are thoughtfully put together to help you create a sense of safety and security for your child, which can be helpful at any step in a transition!

  • This guide is focused on supporting the attachment and mental health aspect of a childcare transition for little ones. I touch on my thoughts about making changes to routines at home (or not) to prepare for childcare or school, but I do not go in-depth on how to implement a sleep or feeding transition plan as my specialty is not in sleep or lactation/feeding.