The first days at the crèche are an important step, for your child and for you. It is often the first time they spend several hours away from their parents, in a new place, with adults and children they don’t know yet. A few simple steps, before and during the first weeks, help them feel at ease quickly.
Here are our tips, drawn from our experience with young children since 2014, to make this period as calm as possible.
Why does settling in matter so much?
For a young child, starting at the crèche means discovering a new world: new faces, new sounds, new rules and a new rhythm. They need time to bond with their teachers and feel safe. A well-prepared settling-in period helps them experience this separation as a positive step rather than a break.
It is also a step for parents. It is completely normal to feel emotional, or a little worried, when you leave your child for the first time. Preparing together reassures everyone.
Before the first day
Talk about it in simple words
A few days before starting, explain to your child what will happen: they will go to the crèche, play with other children, a teacher will look after them, and you will come back to pick them up. Use simple words and a positive tone. Reading a picture book about starting nursery together can also help.
Visit the crèche together
Seeing the place and meeting the team before the first day reassures children… and parents. At B.smart, the visit is a chance to see their future classroom, the garden and the play areas, and to ask all your questions about the day.
Adjust routines gently
A few days before starting, gradually bring wake-up, meal and nap times closer to the crèche’s timetable. A well-rested child copes much better with change.
Pack the bag together
Let your child take part: choosing their bag, putting in their cuddly toy or spare clothes. This little ritual helps them feel involved in their first day.
The first days
Create a goodbye ritual
A kiss, a few kind words, a wave through the window: a short ritual that never changes helps your child understand that you are leaving, and that you will come back. The more it is repeated, the more reassuring it becomes.
Always say goodbye
Slipping away may seem easier, but your child may feel lost when they realise you have gone. A clear, confident goodbye is more reassuring, even if a few tears follow. Just avoid dragging it out: a short separation is often easier.
Bring something from home
A cuddly toy, a dummy or a small family photo: a familiar object links home and the crèche. It comforts your child whenever they need it.
Stay confident… and on time
Children pick up on our emotions. If you are calm, your child will find it easier to be calm too. Morning tears are common at first and often stop soon after you leave. Finally, pick them up at the time you said: keeping your promise builds their trust.
The following weeks
Every child has their own pace
Some children settle in a few days, others need a few weeks. There is no “right” pace: what matters is moving forward step by step, without comparing with other children.
Signs that things are going well
Your child talks about their friends or teachers, describes an activity, sings a new song, leaves more easily in the morning… All small signs that they are finding their feet.
Small setbacks are normal
After a good first week, a child may start crying again in the morning, for example after a weekend or a holiday. This is common and temporary. Keep the same ritual and the same reassuring attitude.
And what about parents?
In the evening, take time to ask your child what they did that day: their stories will surprise you! Keep in regular contact with the team, who can tell you how their days are going. And allow yourself to feel emotional too: it is a big step, for them and for you.
Settling in at B.smart
At B.smart, our classes are organised by age and follow a clear routine that helps children find their bearings quickly. Our director, Tânia, is a psychologist: feel free to share your questions or worries with the team. Together, we will find what works best for your child.
Frequently asked questions
How long does settling in take?
It depends on each child: from a few days to a few weeks. What matters is moving at their own pace.
What should I do if my child cries in the morning?
Stay calm and confident, and keep the goodbye short and always the same. Tears usually stop soon after parents leave.
Can my child bring their cuddly toy?
Yes, a familiar object helps them link home and the crèche.
A question about settling in?
Let’s talk about it during your visit: the B.smart team supports you every step of the way.