Little by little.
Settling in gently.

01Start before day one

Most centres offer orientation or stay-and-play visits. Use them. A couple of short visits where you stay in the room lets your baby connect the new space, sounds and faces with you being close by.

If you can, begin with shorter days in the first week or two, then build up. It's much easier to stretch a good short day than to recover from an overwhelming long one.

02Share your baby's routine

Educators can only follow a routine they know. Tell them how your baby is fed, how they like to be settled to sleep, their tired signs, and any words or songs you use. A short written note on day one is gold.

Bring familiar items: a sleeping bag that smells like home, their usual bottle or dummy, a comfort toy for rest time.

03Make goodbyes short, warm and predictable

It's tempting to slip out unnoticed, but that can make babies more anxious next time. Instead, create a tiny goodbye ritual — a cuddle, the same words, a wave at the window — then leave with confidence.

Tears at drop-off are very common and usually pass within minutes. Ask the educators to send a quick update; most centres are happy to.

04What's normal in the first weeks

• Clinginess at drop-off, even after a good first week
• Shorter or disrupted naps while they adjust to a new room
• Being extra tired, or extra hungry, in the evenings
• Picking up more colds than usual as their immune system meets new germs

Most babies settle within a few weeks. If your little one is still very distressed after a month, talk with the room leader about adjusting the plan together.

05Look after yourself too

Returning to work and leaving your baby can bring guilt, relief and worry all at once — sometimes on the same morning. That's normal. Building a relationship with your baby's primary educator helps you both feel secure.

06How we settle babies at Smart Steps

Our Nursery program is for babies from 6 weeks, with a ratio of one educator to four children, as required in NSW for under-twos. Each family is welcomed with a gentle orientation and a settling plan built around your baby's own feed and sleep rhythm.

Want to see the space? Explore our centre or read ten questions to ask on a tour.

Questions parents ask

How long does it take a baby to settle into daycare?

Many babies settle within two to six weeks, but every child is different. Short, regular days and a consistent goodbye routine usually help.

Is crying at drop-off normal when starting daycare?

Yes. Tears at goodbye are very common and often stop soon after you leave. Ask educators how your baby went once you've gone.

Should I start daycare with short days?

If you can, a few shorter days or orientation visits before your full days begin help your baby get to know the room and educators.