Room Transitions at Daycare — Moving From Infant to Toddler to Preschool Room | Daisy Days

As children grow, they naturally move between program rooms at licensed daycare — from infant to toddler, toddler to preschool, and eventually to school-age programs. At Daisy Days Daycare in Regina SK, we manage room transitions thoughtfully and gradually. Here’s everything families need to know.

Why Room Transitions Happen

Room transitions at licensed daycare happen for two primary reasons:

1. Age and developmental readiness: Each room is designed for a specific developmental stage — when a child has outgrown the current room’s developmental match, moving to the next room provides the richer, more challenging environment they need
2. Saskatchewan ratio requirements: Each age group has specific educator-to-child ratio requirements tied to age. Moving a child between rooms involves adjusting ratios in both rooms — transitions are planned to maintain required ratios.

The Three Main Room Transitions at Daisy Days Daycare

Transition 1: Infant Room → Toddler Room (approximately 18 months)

This is typically the biggest transition for families — many parents feel the infant room has been particularly close and warm, and worry about their child in a larger toddler group. At Daisy Days Daycare:

• The transition happens around 18 months, when developmentally appropriate — not necessarily exactly at 18 months
• Readiness indicators: walking consistently, increasing interest in peer play, beginning language development, transition away from bottle if applicable
• Advance notice: parents receive 2-4 weeks notice of the planned transition date
• Gradual visits: the child spends brief periods in the toddler room while still primarily in the infant room
• Transition week: structured gradual integration into the toddler room over approximately 5 days

Transition 2: Toddler Room → Preschool Room (approximately 3 years)

By age 3, most children are ready for the richer social and cognitive environment of the preschool room. This transition is typically smoother than the infant-to-toddler transition because children are more verbal, more socially confident, and more adaptable. The gradual transition process mirrors the infant-to-toddler process.

Transition 3: Preschool Room → Kindergarten/BASC

When a child starts Kindergarten, they leave full-day preschool but may continue in our Before & After School Care program — a familiar environment with familiar educators. This is often the smoothest “transition” because it involves gaining school experience rather than losing daycare entirely.

Supporting Your Child Through a Room Transition

Parents play an important role in how their child experiences room transitions. Helpful approaches:

• Be positive: “You’re ready for the big kid room — it’s so exciting!” Your child picks up your emotional tone about transitions
• Validate concerns: “You might miss some things about the baby room. That’s okay. The toddler room has new things to discover.”
• Ask to meet the new educators before the transition: Daisy Days Daycare can facilitate a brief introduction to the receiving educators before the formal transition begins
• Expect a brief adjustment period: Even a smooth transition may involve 1-2 weeks of slightly more difficult drop-offs or reporting home — this is normal and typically resolves quickly

→ First-time daycare transition guide
→ Toddler program at Daisy Days Daycare
→ Preschool program at Daisy Days Daycare

Contact Daisy Days Daycare — room transitions are handled with care and communication.
306-807-3233 | info@daisydaysdaycare.com | 2007 Potts Crescent East, Regina SK S4V 2E5