Settling Your Child Into Daycare — A Perth Parent's Complete Guide

Reading time: 6 minutes

The first few weeks of daycare can be emotional — and not just for your child. Whether your baby is starting at six months or your three-year-old is attending for the first time, the settling-in period is a transition for the whole family. If you're a Perth parent about to begin this journey, take a breath. What you're feeling is completely normal, and with the right approach, most children settle beautifully.

At Sonas Woodbridge, we've supported hundreds of families through this transition over our 35 years in early childhood education. Here's everything we know about making it as smooth as possible.

Understanding Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a normal, healthy part of child development. According to the Raising Children Network (Australia's trusted parenting resource), separation anxiety typically peaks between 8-18 months but can appear at any age, especially during transitions.

What's happening developmentally:

• Babies (6-12 months) are developing object permanence — they're starting to understand that when you leave, you still exist. But they don't yet understand that you'll come back.
• Toddlers (1-3 years) understand more, but their sense of time is limited. "I'll be back after lunch" doesn't mean much when you can't yet grasp what "after lunch" means.
• Preschoolers (3-5 years) may express anxiety verbally or through behaviour changes. They might ask lots of questions, become clingy, or regress in areas like toilet training or sleep.

The reassuring truth? Separation anxiety shows that your child has a strong, secure attachment to you. That's exactly what you want.

Before the First Day — Preparation Tips

For Your Child

• Visit the centre together. Most quality centres (including Sonas Woodbridge) offer orientation visits where you stay with your child. Take advantage of every one. Familiarity reduces anxiety.
• Talk about daycare positively. "You're going to play with new friends and do painting!" Keep it exciting and matter-of-fact.
• Read books about starting daycare. "Maisy Goes to Nursery" by Lucy Cousins and "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn are excellent.
• Practice short separations. Leave your child with a trusted family member or friend for gradually increasing periods.
• Establish a goodbye ritual. A special handshake, a kiss on the palm, or a particular phrase you always say. Rituals create predictability.

For You

• Ask the centre about their settling-in process. A good centre will have a structured approach, not just "drop them off and see how it goes."
• Arrange a flexible start. If possible, begin with shorter days (say, 9am-1pm) and build up to full days over 1-2 weeks.
• Pack comfort items. A familiar toy, a family photo, or something that smells like home can be incredibly soothing.
• Talk to the educators. Share everything that's relevant — your child's routine, comforts, triggers, favourite songs, how they like to be held. The more we know, the better we can support them.

The First Day — What to Expect

Here's the honest truth: some children walk in and don't look back. Others cry. Both responses are completely normal.

The drop-off:

1. Arrive calmly. Children are incredibly perceptive — if you're anxious, they'll sense it.
2. Help your child engage with an activity or an educator.
3. Say goodbye clearly and confidently. "I'm going to work now. I'll be back after afternoon tea. I love you!" Then leave.
4. Don't sneak out. It might seem easier, but it breaks trust. Always say goodbye.
5. Don't linger. A long, drawn-out goodbye gives your child time to escalate. Keep it warm but brief.

What happens after you leave: In the vast majority of cases, children settle within 5-10 minutes of a parent leaving. Educators are skilled at redirecting, comforting, and engaging children through the initial upset. If your child is genuinely distressed for an extended period, your centre should call you.

At Sonas Woodbridge, we send families updates throughout the day — photos, messages, or a quick call to let you know how your child is going. You should never have to wonder.

The First Few Weeks — A Realistic Timeline

Every child is different, but here's a general guide:

• Week 1: Expect some tears at drop-off and possibly at pick-up (the relief of seeing you can trigger emotions). Your child may be tired, clingy, or unsettled at home. This is normal — they're processing a lot.
• Week 2: Drop-offs may still be hard, but you might notice your child recovering more quickly. They may start talking about friends or activities.
• Week 3-4: Most children are noticeably more comfortable. They know the routine, they've bonded with educators, and they're beginning to anticipate and enjoy parts of their day.
• Week 4+: For some children, settling takes longer — and that's okay. If you're concerned, talk to your child's educators. Together, you can adjust the approach.

It's also common for children to have "regression" days — a child who seemed settled may suddenly cry at drop-off again after a weekend, an illness, or a change at home. This doesn't mean they've gone backwards. It's just part of the process.

Tips for Easier Drop-Offs

These strategies come directly from our educators at Sonas Woodbridge:

• Keep the morning routine consistent. Same wake-up time, same breakfast, same goodbye ritual.
• Arrive at the same time each day. Predictability is calming.
• Let your child bring one comfort item. Label it clearly.
• Avoid Mondays as a first day if possible. Mid-week starts mean a shorter initial stretch before the weekend.
• Don't overreact to tears. Acknowledge the feeling ("I can see you're sad. That's okay. I'll be back soon.") but stay confident and calm.
• Celebrate the wins. "You painted a picture today! Tell me about it!" Focus on the positive parts of their day.

How Sonas Woodbridge Supports Settling

Our approach to settling is built on relationships. Every child at Sonas Woodbridge has a primary educator — a consistent, familiar person who becomes their anchor in those early days. Here's what our settling process looks like:

• Orientation visits where you and your child spend time at the centre together, building familiarity with the environment and educators.
• A gradual start with shorter days that build up, tailored to your child's individual needs.
• Daily communication through photos, updates, and conversations at pick-up.
• Comfort from home — we encourage families to bring familiar objects, photos, and even a recording of a parent's voice for our youngest Nestlings.
• Family groupings that create a sense of belonging from day one. Older children often naturally nurture new arrivals — it's beautiful to watch.

Our boutique, home-like environment is designed to feel safe and warm from the moment you walk through the door. Because that's what settling really comes down to: your child feeling safe enough to explore, play, and discover — even when you're not there.

Key Takeaways

• Separation anxiety is normal and healthy — it means your child is securely attached to you.
• Prepare with visits, positive talk, goodbye rituals, and comfort items.
• Keep drop-offs brief, confident, and consistent.
• Most children settle within 2-4 weeks, but every child's timeline is different.
• Choose a centre with a structured settling process, open communication, and genuine warmth.
• Be kind to yourself. This is a transition for parents too.

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Ready to see play-based learning in action? Book a tour at Sonas Woodbridge or call us on (08) 6184 6055.