Your Return To Work, Daycare, And What You Need To Know

Are you ready to go back to work? If you need daycare for your child, take a look at the dos and don'ts to follow in the days, weeks, or months leading up to your return.

Do Start As Soon As Possible

Does your school of choice have a space for your child? Some early childhood centers have waitlists. This means if you don't start your search early, your child might not get into your top preschool pick.

The sooner you start your search, the more options you'll have. You may not want to wait to visit until you get a concrete job offer to visit daycares or contact schools. Begin the interview and tour process as soon as you know you want to return to work. This may make it possible to add your name to a waitlist if needed.

Don't Wait Until Your First Day Back

If you started your child care search well before your first day of work and chose the right program, this doesn't mean your first day of work should fall on your child's first day of school.

Even though you don't have your dream job yet or your first day of work is still weeks away, your child can start care right now. If you choose a pre-employment start date, you have the freedom and flexibility to schedule job interviews during the regular workday. You won't need to find a babysitter at the last minute or schedule important interviews around your partner's workday/night.

If you do already have a job secured, an earlier child care start date can help your infant, toddler, or preschooler to feel more comfortable with this transition. A start date scheduled before you go back to work gives your child time to ease into their new routine. It also gives you an added sense of security. You won't need to worry about your new job and your new child care arrangement at the same time.

Do Prepare Your Child

Now that you've chosen a daycare start date, it's time to take the next step and prep your child. Again, the more time you have the better. Help your toddler or preschooler to learn more about their new care arrangement in the weeks or days leading up to the start of school. Visit the center for a tour, meet the teacher, and talk to some of the other parents and children.

Other ways to prepare your child ahead of time include role-playing teacher/student, reading children's books about school, and creating art that focuses on your child's feelings.