Every child experiences the transition to daycare in their own way. The younger the child is, the more important it is for the mother or father to provide gentle and close support during the early months. The new environment and all the new experiences can be exciting, but for some children, they can also be unsettling at first. A carefully planned adjustment period helps your child build trust in their new environment and the caregivers.

New children are usually enrolled in staggered groups so that the teachers can give the children and their parents extra attention at the beginning.

The so-called Berlin Model —or an approach based on it—is considered a proven indicator of quality for the transition of children under three years of age.

The focus here is on the child’s secure attachment. During the first few days, a parent stays with the child for a short time at the daycare center. After a few days, there is an initial brief separation. Depending on the child’s reaction, the adjustment period will continue step by step and be adapted accordingly. Our educational staff closely monitor this process and help you determine the right time to complete the adjustment period.

When preparing to return to work, be sure to allow enough time for your child to adjust—ideally at least four weeks. Some children—and parents, too—need a little more time to get used to their new daily routine. The adjustment period is often complete after two to three weeks, provided there are no illnesses in the meantime.

However, children often get sick, especially at the beginning of their first days at daycare. Eight to twelve infections per year are considered normal for young children, since their immune systems first have to get used to new germs.

To make this initial phase a little more relaxed, it may be a good idea to schedule any remaining vacation days from before the birth. This makes it easier to cope with short-term absences, especially since the number of days of child sickness benefits is often used up quickly.