The first day at daycare or nursery is getting closer – and with it, a new everyday routine begins for the whole family. New rooms, caregivers and routines will all be unfamiliar to your baby at first. At the same time, many practical questions come up: How does the daycare transition work? What should go in the daycare bag? How does nap time work? And what does my baby need for daycare?
The most important thing to remember is this: good preparation for starting daycare does not mean everything has to work perfectly from day one. Giving your child enough time, keeping familiar routines and staying in close contact with the caregivers are often more important than having the perfectly packed daycare bag.
What does the daycare settling-in period actually mean?
The settling-in period gives your child time to gradually adjust to the new childcare environment and build trust with a new caregiver.
One well-known approach is the Berlin settling-in model (Berliner Eingewöhnungsmodell). At first, a familiar parent or caregiver accompanies the child and remains close by as a “safe base”. The childcare professional gradually builds a relationship with the child before the first short separations begin.
How long the daycare settling-in period takes varies from child to child. Some children adjust quickly, while others need more time. It is therefore helpful to allow plenty of time for the transition.
Starting daycare: What parents can do beforehand
You cannot “train” your child to settle into daycare. However, a few preparations can make the transition easier.
Before your baby starts daycare, it can help to:
- learn about the daycare’s daily routine and settling-in approach
- discuss your child’s sleeping, eating and soothing routines with the caregiver
- allow enough time for the settling-in period
- ask which personal items your child is allowed to bring
- find out what the daycare provides and what needs to go in the daycare bag
- keep goodbyes calm and clear once the first separation periods begin
- remember that not every day will go exactly the same way
Communication with the caregivers is particularly important. For example, they should know how you can tell when your child is tired, whether your child uses a pacifier and which familiar routines help them feel comfortable.
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Familiar comforts: A little piece of home at daycare
A new environment brings many unfamiliar impressions. A familiar item can give your child something they already know from everyday life at home.
This could be a small cuddly toy, a pacifier, a comfort cloth or another object your child already knows well. The Berlin settling-in model also describes familiar objects as possible companions during the daycare transition.
The most important thing is that the item is already familiar to your child. There is no need to introduce a brand-new “favorite comfort item” just before starting daycare.
It is also a good idea to ask the daycare which personal items are allowed. Different rules may apply during nap and rest times.
More is not always better: one familiar comfort item is often enough.
Less is often more: What really belongs in a daycare bag?
Before the first day at daycare, it is easy to feel as though you need to prepare for every possible situation. But your child does not need half the household packed into their nursery bag.
Instead, think about what your child genuinely needs and already knows. Is there a familiar object, a pacifier or a small routine that helps? What is required for nap time? Which clothes should stay at the daycare as spare clothing?
One simple question for the caregiver can help you avoid unnecessary purchases: “What does my child really need here – and what does the daycare provide?”
This keeps the daycare bag simple and ensures it contains what your child will actually need during the day.
Daycare checklist: What does my baby need for daycare or nursery?
What your baby needs for daycare depends on the individual childcare setting. Always ask for the daycare’s official packing or supply list first.
Daycare checklist for babies:
For everyday daycare
- several changes of clothes
- bodysuits or underwear
- socks
- weather-appropriate clothing
- rainwear or waterproof outdoor clothing
- sun hat in summer
- indoor shoes or non-slip socks, if required
For changing and meals
- diapers, if they are not provided
- wipes and skincare products, as agreed with the daycare
- water bottle or drinking cup
- lunch box, food or snacks depending on the daycare’s meal arrangements
For naps and rest time
- sleep sack, if required by the daycare
- pacifier, if your child uses one
- a familiar personal item, if permitted
Practical things to remember
- label clothing and personal belongings
- regularly check that spare clothes still fit and suit the season
- find out what the daycare already provides
- share important routines or individual needs with the caregivers
This daycare checklist is intended as a helpful guide. If your daycare has different requirements, those should always take priority.
Sleeping at daycare: Share your baby’s familiar sleep routine
For many parents, sleeping at daycare is one of the biggest questions before their child starts. At home, your baby may have a familiar bedtime or nap routine, while the daily schedule at nursery will naturally be different.
You do not need to change your sleep routine at home to match the daycare. What matters much more is that the caregivers understand your child’s usual habits.
Helpful information includes:
- When does your child normally nap?
- How can you tell when your child is tired?
- Does your child use a sleep sack?
- Is there a familiar nap-time routine?
- Does your child use a pacifier?
You should also ask the daycare directly what needs to be brought for nap time. Some childcare settings provide sleeping essentials, while others may ask parents to bring their own sleep sack.
Important for babies under one year: A safe sleep environment should always come first. A well-fitting sleep sack, a firm mattress and a clear sleep space are especially important.
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What if the daycare transition does not go smoothly straight away?
One good day does not mean the settling-in period is complete – and one difficult morning does not mean it has failed.
New impressions, tiredness, a weekend at home or changes to the usual routine can all mean that your child needs a little more closeness again on some days.
Rather than judging the transition by one individual moment, regular communication with the childcare professionals is much more helpful: Can your child settle after you leave? Do they seek contact with their caregiver? Do they start playing and exploring the new environment?
If a particular step has happened too quickly, the settling-in process can be adjusted together.
Conclusion: Bring something familiar and give the new routine time to grow
Starting daycare with a baby is a big step, and it is okay for the transition to take time. Good preparation means sharing your child’s routines with the caregivers, packing the daycare bag thoughtfully and giving your child the chance to get to know the new environment at their own pace.
Give it time, stay in touch with the caregivers and remember that not every day has to look the same.
Perfect for everyday daycare
For playing, exploring and keeping a spare change of clothes at daycare: discover our BIO BABY SWEATSHIRT and matching BIO BABY HOSE. The set is also available in a variety of colors.
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