The Deal

• $580 for one month of pre-school for a 3-year-old ($1,159 value)

Daycare: Taking Your Child for the First Time

Starting daycare can be a difficult transition for both parent and child. Here are a few ways to help the whole family prepare.

Do a Dress Rehearsal: If possible, visit the daycare center ahead of time with your child, allowing them to explore the space and build up excitement for their new surroundings.

Establish a Routine: A new addition to your morning can mean everything from earlier wake-up times to new traffic patterns. Assume your new schedule in the days leading up to the big day to ensure that you’re not rushed, which can add unnecessary stress.

Describe the Day: Give your child a rundown of the day’s events so they’ll know what to expect—a small but significant gesture that’ll help them feel in control.

Leave Reminders of Home: To comfort your child in your absence, leave them with a familiar object such as a blanket, toy, or tome of the extended family’s history. Newborns will find particular solace in a shirt or blanket that carries their mother’s scent.

Keep Goodbyes Short and Sweet: Be affectionate, of course, but avoid long and involved declarations of love. At the same time, resist the urge to sneak out the back door, which will only damage the trust between you. Simply making it clear that you will be back—and delivering on that promise at the end of the day—is enough to comfort children’s anxiety.

Fake It ‘Til You Make It: As nervous as a child might be for the first day of daycare, parents are often on the edge of tears. That’s okay. Still, hold it together. Don’t underestimate your child’s ability to read your body language and tone of voice. Put on a happy face and maintain a confident attitude and your child will do the same—soon rushing into the playroom to make friends with every Lego guy.