What to Expect in Your Child’s First Week at Daycare in Regina SK | Daisy Days Parent Guide

The first week of licensed daycare is a milestone moment for both children and parents — often more emotional for the adults than the children. At Daisy Days Daycare in Regina SK, we’ve walked thousands of families through this transition. Here’s what to expect, day by day, and how to support your child through it.

Before the First Week: Preparation Matters

The transition actually begins before your child’s first day:

• Visit the daycare together: Your child’s tour of Daisy Days Daycare before Day 1 means it’s not a completely unknown place on the first morning
• Talk about daycare positively: “At daycare you’ll have sand to play with and songs to sing and new friends to meet” — specific, positive, honest
• Establish morning routines: The weeks before starting, practice morning routines (wake time, breakfast, getting dressed, departure time) so the logistics are smooth
• Pack together: Let your child help choose their comfort item, pick out their backpack, and participate in daycare preparation

The Gradual Transition Schedule at Daisy Days Daycare

Day 1 — Parent Stays (1-2 hours)

Parent and child arrive together. Parent stays, playing alongside child, helping them explore the room. The educator begins building relationship with your child while you’re present. After 60-90 minutes, parent leaves briefly (even if just to the hall) — the educator and child begin their independent relationship.

Days 2-3 — Short Independent Visits (2-3 hours)

Parent drops off and leaves promptly. Brief, warm goodbye — “I’m leaving now. I’ll be back after your snack. I love you.” Then go. Do not linger, peek back, or extend the goodbye — this makes separation harder, not easier, for both of you. The educator will handle the transition and communicate by end of the visit.

Days 4-5 — Half Days

4-5 hours independently. Your child is building familiarity with the routine, the educators, and the environment. Most toddlers and preschoolers are significantly more settled by Day 4.

Week 2 — Full Days

Building to full operating-hours days. By the end of week 2, most children are settling within minutes of drop-off. Many children are genuinely excited to arrive by the end of week 2.

What You Might See — And What It Means

What You See	What It Means	What to Do
Crying at drop-off	Healthy attachment; normal transition distress	Confident, brief goodbye and go
Clinging and not letting go	Normal; your child is asking for reassurance	Warm handover to educator; trust the process
Fine at drop-off, crying later	Delayed realization; still normal	Educator manages; settles quickly
Reports of unhappiness at pickup	Child processing their day verbally	Listen, validate, don’t catastrophize
Extra clingy at home in evenings	Re-filling the attachment tank after a social day	Extra cuddles; completely normal

What Parents Often Get Wrong in the First Week

• The lingering goodbye: Staying, returning, checking — this signals to your child that departure is something to resist. Brief and confident is kinder than prolonged and anxious.
• Skipping the gradual transition: Full 8-hour days from Day 1 consistently produce harder, longer adjustment periods
• Pulling the child out at first tears: Some parents, distressed by their child’s crying, remove them and delay enrollment. This can make the eventual transition harder.

→ Full gradual transition guide at Daisy Days
→ Drop-off tips for crying and clingy children
→ Book your Daisy Days Daycare tour first

Contact Daisy Days Daycare — we walk every family through the first week together.
306-807-3233 | info@daisydaysdaycare.com | 2007 Potts Crescent East, Regina SK S4V 2E5