Returning to work and settling your baby into childcare - PDF checklist
This checklist covers organising a parent's return to work and starting childcare away from home before the baby's first birthday. It does not set the best starting age or a number of settling-in days. Check local admission requirements, the provider's policies and employment rights.
Start by understanding the daily care
Before childcare begins, go through your baby's usual day with the team: feeding, sleep, changing and comforting. Ask how information is shared and when they call a parent. Discuss cover for carers and collection rules too. Written arrangements give you something to return to as your family's needs change.
Settling in is a process to agree together
Short meetings with a new person and gradually becoming familiar with the surroundings can help prepare for the change, if the provider can offer them. There is no single number of days after which every baby should stay calmly. Agree how to respond to crying, feeding or resting difficulties and when to review the plan. Do not use a stopwatch or comparisons with other babies to judge success.
Feeding and work need practical arrangements
Returning to work does not mean you must stop breastfeeding. The solution depends on your family's needs, health and childcare options. If you express milk, arrange access to a clean private space, safe washing and storage, and the provider's rules for accepting milk. Do not change feeding solely on the basis of this checklist. Check breaks, leave and other entitlements in your country and workplace.
Support includes the parent too
Relief, missing your baby and uncertainty can happen together. Share tasks, prepare for unexpected changes and leave room for rest. A calm moment of closeness after collection may help. If your baby's distress is intense, persists or affects feeding and daily functioning, discuss it with the carers and the professional responsible for your baby's healthcare. Parents can ask for support too.
Preparation checklist
Get to know the care and the provider's policies
- Meet the person or team caring for your baby and agree who will share everyday information.
- Ask about local admission requirements, documents, fees, opening hours and authorisation to collect your baby.
- Discuss feeding, your baby's intake, allergies and particular needs; establish whether the provider needs a written care plan.
- Check the sleeping space and sleep practices: a flat, firm mattress, placing babies on their backs, without toys or pillows.
Prepare the first meetings and separations
- Agree with the provider whether you can meet the carer beforehand and gradually extend your baby's time there.
- Practise a short, warm goodbye routine; do not leave without saying goodbye.
- Agree how to comfort your baby, contact the parent and respond when your baby needs more support.
- Note observations about feeding, sleep and wellbeing; discuss when to change the settling-in plan.
Arrange work, collections and a backup plan
- Confirm your return date, availability, travel and possible adjustments with your employer under local arrangements.
- If expressing milk, arrange time, a clean private space, equipment washing and cooling; do not plan to express in a toilet.
- Share packing and collection tasks; arrange backup care for illness, provider closures or delays.
- Plan rest and support for the parent and time together with your baby when you return.
Questions to discuss with a professional
- How will the provider meet our baby's needs, and when will they contact us?
- Which local rules apply to feeding, sleep, documents and particular needs?
- When will we review the arrangements together, and what will we do if a change is needed?
Frequently asked questions
How many days should settling in take?
We do not set a single standard. Agree preparation and the length of stays with the provider, taking account of your baby's responses and your family's needs.
Does returning to work mean weaning from the breast?
Not necessarily. Discuss options with a breastfeeding support professional and the carers. Facilities and employment rights depend on your country and workplace.
Can a favourite toy stay in the cot?
No. An object suggested for comforting should not go into an infant's sleeping space. Agree its use during supervised awake time separately with the carer.
Private arrangements card: work and childcare
Print and complete by hand with the carers. Include only necessary details. This helps with organisation; it is not an admission form, authorisation or treatment plan.
- Provider, main contact and first day
- Times and parent contact; person collecting the baby
- Feeding and rules for accepting feeds
- Sleep and comforting agreed with the carer
- Particular needs; where the written care plan is kept
- Settling-in meetings and observations
- Plan for illness, provider closures or delays
- Work arrangements and date to review the plan
Keep the card private and update arrangements. Do not publish a photo of it. Prepare locally required documents and consents separately.
How to use this checklist
Tick the points you have discussed or prepared and add your own arrangements. Ticking a box does not confirm safety, health status or completion of a medical procedure. Revisit the checklist as your family's needs change.