Talk to your child about what child care will be like. Even if your child is a toddler, children can usually understand clear explanations. Point to the calendar and talk about what days of the week are work days for you and child care days for him or her. Talk about whether he or she will eat and nap there. Read and look at picture books about child care.
Some books show and tell about a day in a child care center.
Others deal with feelings a child might have about being away from a parent or playing with other children. Pack your child's supplies the night before so you will not be rushing in the morning. Rushing adds stress and shortens tempers. Plan to stay a while the first several mornings. Have another person your child knows stay if you cannot.