Let's be honest: heading back to work after parental leave is a big deal, and most of the advice out there focuses on how your little one will cope. That matters, of course. But you're going through a big change too, and it deserves some attention. Here's how to get yourself ready, not just your child.
It's OK to feel a mix of emotions
Excited to get back into it? Maybe. Sad to leave the slower mornings behind? Also maybe. Feeling both at once, sometimes on the same day, is completely normal. Raising Children Network(opens in new tab) suggests that talking with other parents who've recently returned to work can genuinely help.
Get the groundwork sorted early
Book in some trial days
A settling-in visit or two before your official start date gives your little one a chance to get comfortable with their room and educators, and gives you a proper look at how their day runs. Check out our settling-in page for how we do this, and talk to your educators about a schedule that suits your family.
Sort your feeding plan
If you're breastfeeding or expressing, it's worth sorting this out before day one, both with your employer and your child's educators. Raising Children Network(opens in new tab) has practical tips on keeping breastfeeding going once you're back at work, including what to raise with your employer beforehand.
Have a proper chat with your centre
The more your educators know beforehand, nap times, comfort items, little routines, the smoother the whole thing goes. Our family handbook spells out what's worth sharing, and a quick conversation with your room leader before you're back goes a long way.
Check what's changed with the Child Care Subsidy
Since January 2026, the 3 Day Guarantee means CCS-eligible families get at least three subsidised days a week(opens in new tab), regardless of work hours, so the old activity test no longer decides your baseline days. It's worth checking our Child Care Subsidy page to see where you stand.
Don't be afraid to ask for flexibility
You might be entitled to ask your employer for flexible working arrangements, think adjusted hours, a phased return, or different start and finish times. Fair Work Ombudsman(opens in new tab) explains how to put that request in writing and what your employer has to consider. Raise it before your return date so you're not scrambling on day one.
What the first few weeks are actually like
Give yourself and your child some time, most families take a couple of weeks to find their new rhythm. Drop-offs might be a bit teary, and your child might be more tired or clingy at home for a while. This is completely normal. Steady routines, the same ones woven through our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, help your little one feel secure while everything else is changing around them.
A few things that make the first week easier
Pack the bag the night before, not at 7am with a toddler underfoot. Leave a bit of extra time for drop-off in that first week, as rushing tends to make everyone more stressed. And if you can, avoid scheduling anything big at work for day one, an easy first day back gives you some breathing room while your child is also settling in.
The same goes for your own headspace: don't expect to walk back into work at full capacity, like nothing's changed. It's a genuine adjustment. Give yourself the same understanding you'd offer a friend going through the same thing.
And don't be too hard on yourself if the first week is a bit messy, forgotten drink bottles, mismatched socks, a rushed morning. Every parent has been there. It does get easier.
If your child has school on the horizon in the next year or two, the routines you're building now, steady mornings, predictable drop-offs, good communication with educators, will also help set them (and you) up well for that next step.
You're not doing this on your own
If anything's on your mind, feeding, settling, drop-offs, have a chat with your child's educators. They've supported plenty of families through this exact transition, and they're one of your best resources for figuring it out.