What to Expect in Your Child's First Week of Daycare

Drop-off tears. Clingy mornings. A child who comes home exhausted and a little out of sorts. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and you’re not doing anything wrong. The first week of daycare is a transition, and transitions are hard. Here’s what’s normal and how to get through it together.

The Separation Anxiety Is Real — For Both of You

It’s completely normal for young children to cry at drop-off, even for weeks. What you might not expect is how hard it is for YOU. Trust that within minutes of you leaving, most children settle and engage. Our teachers are experienced at transitions and will send you a photo or update as soon as your child is calm.

Expect Exhaustion

Daycare is stimulating. New faces, new routines, new sounds. Your child is processing a lot. Don’t be surprised if they fall asleep earlier than usual, are crankier in the evenings, or seem to regress slightly in behaviors they had mastered. This is temporary.

Build a Goodbye Ritual

Consistency helps. Create a short, repeatable goodbye — a hug, a special handshake, “I love you, see you after nap.” Then leave. Lingering makes it harder for everyone. The ritual signals to your child: this is safe, this is normal, and you always come back.

Talk to the Teachers

Your child’s teachers are your partners. Share anything that helps — comfort objects, preferred words for things, what soothes them, what their home routine looks like. The more we know, the faster we can help your child feel at home.

When to Be Concerned

Most adjustment issues resolve within 2–4 weeks. If your child is still severely distressed after a month, or if they’re showing signs of physical symptoms (stomachaches, sleep disruption) that aren’t improving, talk to your pediatrician and discuss it openly with your center director. A good center will work with you — not brush off your concerns.

Have questions about how we handle first-week transitions at Little Sprouts? Come in for a tour and meet our team before your child’s first day.