Getting Ready To Send Your Child To Daycare? Consider These Things

Last Updated on October 20, 2026 by Successful Black Parenting Staff

When you are getting ready to send your child to daycare, a little planning goes a long way. Below you will find what to pack, how to label, and new tips on easing the first weeks, asking the right questions, and handling separation tears.

Is daycare something that you’re trying to prepare for? If this is your first time sending your child to daycare, you need to think about all of the elements so that you can get prepared as best you can. It’s an exciting time when your child gets to go and make some new friends, be in a new environment, and experience different parts of life, but it can also be quite nerve-racking, which is why the preparation process can be tough.

In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the different things you’re going to need to consider when you’re sending your child to daycare. So, if you would like to find out more, feel free to read on.

Are Meals Provided?

You’ll need to determine whether meals are provided or if you’ll need to provide them. Some daycare providers will provide meals, and you pay for them with the money you pay for the service, while other daycare providers don’t do this. To each their own on this one, as some people prefer to feed their kids things they know they will like anyway, especially if they are quite fussy.

However, if you have a fussy child and send them to a daycare that provides meals, you will probably find that what they eat increases tenfold. Being in a new environment can be really beneficial for encouraging them to eat new things, especially when all the other kids are eating the same.

Label Every Single Item 

You also need to ensure that you are labeling every single item to help your daycare provider out. Over time, they will get to know who is who, but there will also be times when it’s almost impossible to know, especially if someone has the same name as your child. So, you can purchase things like labels for daycare bottles online, but also get one for their lunchbox if you are going to be sending one.

This reduces the chances of anything getting lost or going missing, and if something does wander off somehow, it can find its way back to you.

Packing Their Bag Depending On Age

When you’re packing your child’s bag for daycare, you need to consider what kind of things they are going to need on a daily basis. For example, if they’re still in diapers, you’re going to need to pack those and wipes. If they’re a baby and still having formula, you need to pack this. If they’re potty training, it’s a good idea to pack multiple changes of clothes. It’s also a good idea to pack a change of clothes anyway, as you don’t know if accidents are going to happen, if they’re going to get muddy or wet or whatever.

How to Prepare to Send Your Child to Daycare: A First-Week Plan

Beyond meals, labels, and the daycare bag, these steps can make the transition smoother for your child and for you:

• Visit together first. Spend time in the classroom so the room, the teachers, and the routine feel familiar.
• Start with shorter days if you can. A few half days during the first week can help your child adjust.
• Practice the routine at home. Shift nap and meal times closer to the daycare schedule a week or two ahead.
• Bring a comfort item. Ask whether your child can bring a small blanket, stuffed animal, or family photo.
• Share what makes your child unique. Tell teachers how your child likes to be soothed, any words they use, foods they eat, and how you care for their hair and skin, so their daily care matches what they know at home.

Questions to Ask Before the First Day

• Is the program licensed, and when was its last inspection?
• What is the ratio of teachers to children in my child’s room?
• How do you handle naps, safe sleep for babies, diapering, and potty training?
• How will you tell me about my child’s day, injuries, or illness?
• What is your sick policy, and what vaccine records do you need?
• How do you talk with children about differences, and do your books and toys reflect children of many races and cultures?

You can look up licensing information and child care resources in your state through ChildCare.gov, a resource from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more help comparing programs, see our guide to choosing the ideal daycare.

Easing Separation Anxiety at Drop-Off

Tears at drop-off are common and usually ease as your child learns that you always come back. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ HealthyChildren.org and ZERO TO THREE both suggest a few simple habits:

• Keep goodbyes short, warm, and consistent, with the same words or ritual each day.
• Always say goodbye instead of slipping out, so your child learns to trust the routine.
• Stay calm and confident. Children notice how you feel.
• Talk about the day afterward and celebrate what went well.

If you feel anxious too, you are not alone. Read how to have peace of mind about child care, and if cost is a worry, our article on childcare budgeting strategies has practical ideas.