Wildfires and other natural disasters in California can disrupt many aspects of family life, including child care arrangements. If your child’s usual care facility has closed or relocated due to wildfire damage, transitioning to a new environment can feel overwhelming for both you and your little one. Helping your child adjust to a temporary or new child care setting requires patience, reassurance, and thoughtful preparation. Here’s how to ease the transition and make the new setting feel safe and comfortable for your child.

1. Prepare Your Child with Honest, Reassuring Conversations

Children thrive on routine and predictability, so any change in their daily care can feel unsettling. Keep explanations simple and age-appropriate:

• Acknowledge the change: “Your daycare is closing for a little while so they can fix the building, but you’ll be going to a new place where you’ll meet new friends.”
• Provide reassurance: Let your child know they will still be cared for by kind teachers and have fun activities to do.
• Encourage questions: Answer their concerns honestly but with a positive outlook.

2. Familiarize Them with the New Environment

If possible, visit the new facility together before their first day. If an in-person visit isn’t feasible, look at photos of the new space online or talk about what to expect. Speak positively about the new caregivers and environment and use their names to create familiarity. If possible, meet new caregivers ahead of time to build rapport. You can also encourage them to bring familiar objects like a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or toy to help them through the adjustment.

3. Acknowledge and Validate Feelings

It’s normal for children to feel nervous, sad, or even resistant to change. Offer extra cuddles and patience during this transition and use books or stories about change and resilience to help them process emotions. Let them know their emotions are valid through phrases such as:

• “It’s okay to feel a little nervous. New places can feel different at first, but soon it will feel familiar.”
• “It takes a lot of courage for you to get through this hard time.” 
• “I can see that you are worried. Is there anything I can do to help you feel better about going to your new school?”

4. Stay Positive and Confident

Your child looks to you for cues on how to react. If you express worry, they might mirror that anxiety. Keep your tone calm and reassuring during drop-offs and bring lots of joy even if you have your own reservations or concerns.

5. Keep Open Communication with Caregivers

Check in with the new caregivers about how your child is adjusting. Ask about their mood, activities they enjoy, and any concerns that arise. Trust that your child will adapt with time and support. Staying involved helps ensure a smoother transition and reassures your child that they are in a safe space.

6. Give It Time

Given the current situation for LA schools and daycare centers, many families have found themselves needing to have tough conversations with their children. Adjusting to a new setting takes time. Some children adapt quickly, while others need more reassurance. Keep up with familiar comforts at home and celebrate small wins, like making a new friend or trying a new activity.

Temporary child care changes can feel like a major upheaval, but with the right support, your child can navigate this transition successfully. By preparing them with reassurance, maintaining routines, and fostering a sense of safety, you can help them adjust with confidence.