How do I make daycare drop off easier?

Keep the goodbye short and the same every day, tell your child when you'll be back in words they understand, like after nap, and keep that promise, Dayton Children's suggests. A photo or stuffed animal from home can come along.

How do I help my toddler with separation anxiety at drop off?

Practice short separations at home first, like time with a grandparent or friend, so being apart feels familiar. Dayton Children's notes that separation anxiety shows how attached your child is to you.

How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?

Look at more than academics. Cleveland Clinic Children's suggests checking whether your child can follow directions, take turns, ask a grown-up for help, use the bathroom and get dressed on their own, and practicing what isn't there yet.

All big changes

How to prepare your child for kindergarten, preschool or daycare

Talk about the new place before the first day, practice short goodbyes, and tell your child exactly when you'll be back.

Custom story for Nora

Nora is nervous about her first bus ride to kindergarten, until a new friend saves her a seat.

Butterflies on the Big Yellow Bus

Story created for Nora

Getting ready for kindergarten covers more than letters and numbers, says pediatrician Kimberly Giuliano of Cleveland Clinic Children's: there's academic, social and behavioral readiness. Practice following directions, taking turns, asking a grown-up for help, using the bathroom and getting dressed on their own. If your child isn't there yet, there's time to practice, even after school starts.

For daycare and preschool drop-off, Dayton Children's suggests keeping goodbyes brief and the same every day, telling your child when you'll be back in a way they understand, like after nap, and sending a comfort object from home. A shy child may need a little longer to warm up, and that's okay.

A social story is one way to practice: a short story where your child walks in, says goodbye and sees you come back at pickup. That's why Tella is built so the story stars your child, at their real school or daycare, with the grown-up who drops them off.

A kindergarten social story video starring your child

Here's how Nora's story goes.

At the bus steps, Mom promises she'll be right there at pickup.
So many faces Nora doesn't know. She holds her favorite book tight.
A girl named Mia waves and pats the seat she saved for Nora.
At pickup, Nora runs to Mom with a whole day to tell.

Watch Nora’s whole story

Questions parents ask

How do I make daycare drop off easier?: Keep the goodbye short and the same every day, tell your child when you'll be back in words they understand, like after nap, and keep that promise, Dayton Children's suggests. A photo or stuffed animal from home can come along.
How do I help my toddler with separation anxiety at drop off?: Practice short separations at home first, like time with a grandparent or friend, so being apart feels familiar. Dayton Children's notes that separation anxiety shows how attached your child is to you.
How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?: Look at more than academics. Cleveland Clinic Children's suggests checking whether your child can follow directions, take turns, ask a grown-up for help, use the bathroom and get dressed on their own, and practicing what isn't there yet.
Is there a personalized first day of school book or social story?: Tella makes a story instead of a printed book. It stars your child at their real school or daycare, with the grown-up who drops them off, and it's ready the same day on your phone, tablet or TV.

Questions parents ask about Tella

Is it more screen time?: You watch it together, and it's about a real day in your child's life. No feed, and every story has an ending.
Is it safe?: No photo needed. See what we keep and who sees it.
Is it really about my child?: Every scene shows your child and your family, not a name dropped into a template.
What does it cost?: Your first story is free. No card needed.
Why not just ask ChatGPT?: See how a Tella story compares.

Updated October 30, 2026.

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