Tips for Mums to Create a Seamless Transition Back to Work and Preschool

Introduction

Returning to work and having your little one start at an early learning centre/preschool/daycare (I'll refer to 'preschool' throughout) can come with a mix-bag of emotions. You're excited to use the part of your brain that isn't centred around baby stuff, but also feeling nervous about your child with new educators and little friends. It's a push-pull I've been through twice, and both times were completely differnt journeys.

Here we'll dive into how to best set your child up for sleep success whilst starting at preschool, realistic expectations and an insight on how these new transitions foster independence and resilience in your child.

Understanding the Emotional Journey

A range of emotions may come up for you, including guilt, nervousness and excitement. It's important to acknowledge that these feelings are valid, and to give yourself some grace during these moments, noting that every day won't be the same.

After working with early learning centres through professional development, they note that one of the key factors to helping your child create a positive association with their new caretakers is to remain calm and positive at changeovers. Keep drop-offs efficient, upbeat and collected, because if your child sees you upset, they'll think something bad is about to happen. Save the tears for the car, I promise it'll get easier. If your child hasn't calmed down within 10-15mins, the centre will call you.

Preparing Your Baby for Preschool

Most centres offer some play-and-stay times so that your child can have a gradual introduction with your presence before they start full days on their own. Half days may also be an option for a week too. I recommend starting them a couple of weeks before you return to work, so you can be 'on call' if needed.

Practising some drop-offs and pick-ups with family members or friends can help too. Orgnaise some time with grandparents, aunties and uncles for a few hours so you can practise saying goodbye in the lead up, and maybe book yourself a massage for this time while you're at it!

Books around starting preschool can be helpful in the weeks leading up to the start date - stories and role play are powerful when going through changes.

Establish Routines That Work for Both Home and Preschool

In the morning, have a regular rhythm to the day. Have clothes laid out, lunches packed and an easy, nutritious breakfast to fuel your child for the day. This predictability for school days will help create consistency and stability before preschool.

For the daytime nap routine, expect that it won't be exactly consistent with home. Whether your child has 1 nap or 3, the timings may vary slightly as educators manage multiple children and varying tiredness levels. The environment at school is generally more stimulating, so your child may have shorter awake windows, and only do 1x sleep cycle naps in the beginning. In time, they will adjust.

For the evening, expect your child to be more tired than usual. Early dinner (yes, 4.30pm is great), early bath/shower and bed will be on the cards. To make dinner times easier, offer a preferred food so you know they'll feel comforted with familiar, favourite dinner, as there's nothing worse than trying to feed an overtired child after preschool.

Keeping the bedtime routine consistent will ensure that your child feels a sense of safety and security knowing the predictability of bedtime, regardless of the big day they've had at preschool.

Setting Realistic Expectations About Starting Preschool and Sleep

One of the biggest friction points I see when working with preschools and early learning centres are around parent expectations around child sleep and routine. Keep in mind that educators are bound by their preschool's policy, so it pays to read through the handbook they give you, so you're not overstepping the guidelines they need to follow. Educators are doing God's work - they're looking after multiple kids on varying routines with a range of temperaments and behaviours. We can't expect them to stick to strict times or spend extended periods of time resettling our kids. Focus on relatively regular nap timings, and having an extra nap if needed. Sometimes the nap in the car on the way home can be your golden ticket to a smoother evening at home.

In my clinical and personal experience, adjustments can take up to 6-8 weeks, so be patient while your child (and you) adjust to the change in routine. It won't be a smooth process, but if the trajectory is headed upwards, that's a big win. Being as consistent with morning and evening routines as possible will help maintain normality at home.

Need some help establishing a routine to assist with the transition to preschool and returning to work? I'm here to create this for you 100% from scratch. Book a consult to get started and we can make this change as smooth as possible for the whole family.