Childcare & Preschool Transitions Guide

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

You have a childcare transition to prepare for and you’re feelin’ it in your chest, your gut, and maybe have even taken a few trips to the toilet over it.

You’re not alone. Preparing to separate from our little ones and also trust in the care of other person is hard.

You may be wondering:

  • How can I prepare them when they’re so little? Will they even understand?

  • How will my own anxiety about this impact my little one, and what can I do about it?

  • What does this transition mean for my child’s attachment to me?

  • How will they know I am coming back for them?

  • How will I know that they are adjusting well?

  • How will I know if we need to make changes?

  • When is the best time to start childcare?

so you probably just read that list and you’re like, “yup, all of these questions and worries are living rent free in my head. so, what do I do about it?”

Don’t worry, I got 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.