We didn’t cry at drop-off.
There was no dramatic clinging or sobbing. If anything, there was… relief. We were sleep-deprived, juggling a million things and just grateful to have found a trusted space where someone could care for our baby during weekdays. That alone felt like a small miracle.
But if I’m being honest? I wasn’t fully prepared — for the wave of bugs that hit us, for the admin fatigue or for the times they packed someone else’s milk bottle in our bag.
Before his first day
We prepped for IFC like we were packing him off to the army! (Coincidentally, we used the complimentary Mount Alvernia diaper bag and it was army green, haha!)
We labelled everything with name stickers — bibs, socks, milk bottle caps, even his little swaddle cloth. We packed according to the checklist the centre gave us, and double-checked his bag the night before to make sure he wouldn’t be lacking for anything. Bottles were labelled, extra clothes zipped up, diapers stacked neatly. I even bought a little fox soother so that he’d have something with him, always.
Read more about what to pack in your IFC bag
We tried our best to follow the school’s suggested schedule, especially for feeding times, so the transition would feel smoother. He was still so little, but we hoped a familiar rhythm would help him settle in faster.
We also talked to him about it. Every day, we’d take him on a pram walk and stop outside the centre. Our IFC had floor-to-ceiling windows, so he could see into the playspace — bright colours, wooden toys strewn around, and sometimes toddlers playing inside.
“That’s going to be your new school,” we’d say cheerfully. “You’ll have nice teachers, and there’ll be toys and songs and friends.”
He didn’t understand every word, but he listened. And maybe that helped us just as much as it helped him.
The first days…
Drop-off on the first day was… okay.
I didn’t cry. I didn’t feel torn apart. But when I saw the teacher lift him up and carry him gently past the glass door, my heart sank a little. He looked so small. I stood there for a second longer than I needed to, then turned and walked away, quietly bracing myself.
Still, we did drop-off well. We kept it cheerful. Calm. Short. We said goodbye with a warm smile and a gentle tone, so he wouldn’t pick up on any anxiety.
“See you later! Mummy will come back soon!”
He fussed a little, but he didn’t cry buckets. The teachers were experienced, and I could see they were kind. I left knowing he was in good hands, even if it still felt strange to hand him over.
Then came the sniffles
The adjustment to school was surprisingly smooth. But what we weren’t prepared for was the non-stop wave of viruses.
Within the first few weeks, he had a runny nose. Then a mild fever. Then a mystery rash. Each time he started to settle in, he’d fall sick, and we’d have to keep him home again. Just when he got better, the cycle would start all over.
He was only there for around a year, but I honestly lost count of how many times we had to cancel plans or reshuffle work meetings. Sometimes we got sick too — sharing bugs like a proper family unit.
Read more about why we eventually withdrew him…
The centre wasn’t perfect
We liked our IFC well enough. The teachers were always friendly during drop-off and pick-up, and the space was clean and bright. But it wasn’t without hiccups.
Once, they accidentally packed someone else’s milk bottle into our bag — and I had to rush back over a long weekend to return it. Another time, one of his bibs went missing and was never found. There were also days when the handwritten daily log (no app!) seem inaccurate, or they forgot to apply the diaper cream we’d packed.
Small things, maybe. But when you’re running on poor sleep, constantly trying to keep your baby healthy, and juggling a hundred moving parts—those small things add up. I remember wondering — Do they actually know which baby is which?
What unsettled me most, though, was something I noticed during pickup one afternoon.
A group of babies — mine included — were seated in a semi-circle of rockers. They were not crying or distressed, but it felt like they were just staring blankly into space. It wasn’t wrong, exactly. I understood that afternoons are a slower time, and teachers are stretched.
But it looked so sad. From then on, I made it a point to fetch him earlier, around 4pm each day.
Our time at IFC wasn’t perfect. There were little hiccups, plenty of sick days, and moments of doubt. But it gave us what we needed for that season: a place to start letting go, bit by bit. And some days, picking him up earlier was just my way of holding on.
In the end…
He only spent about 10 months at IFC, but it left its mark — on both of us. There were no big, sparkly milestones. Just a season of small shifts: adjusting to new rhythms, catching every virus imaginable, and learning to hand him over each morning with a steady smile, even when I didn’t always feel it inside.
It wasn’t perfect. There were little hiccups, a fair bit of admin fatigue and moments where I quietly questioned things. But it gave us what we needed then — a safe enough space, kind teachers and just enough breathing room to get through a very full season of life.
This was just our story. Every family’s experience is different — and many babies truly thrive in infant care. If you’re about to begin, I hope knowing the messy middle helps you feel a little more prepared, and a little less alone.
Little Notes
Pack the night before: I usually pack the night before, because I found that I really needed the extra time to sift through his belongings, coordinate sets of long-sleeved clothing, include fresh bibs, sterilise pacifiers, rewash milk bottles and replenish formula. Mornings are just too chaotic for last-minute packing, and I know I’ll end up forgetting things.
Label everything: You’ll be asked to label everything, and it’s really important. There are a few ways to do this, from name stickers to name ink stamps to homemade labels to the plain old black felt-tip marker pen!
Pack a comfort item: Something familiar from home, will help ease the transition. It could be his or her favourite swaddle cloth, a soother toy or even a small blankie.
Not every drop-off is emotional: And that’s okay. I didn’t cry at drop-off, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t affected. Some days I felt relief, some days I felt guilt, some days I felt nothing but tired. Let your experience be what it is — you’re doing just fine.
Daily logs aren’t always perfect: Our centre had teachers write in logsheets, and sometimes the timings of feeds seem strange. Ask gently if something seems off.
Talk to the teachers: Some of the most helpful updates I got weren’t on the logsheet —they came from brief chats at pickup. A quick “Did he nap okay today?” or “How was his mood?” can give you more insight than a checkbox ever will. Don’t be shy to ask. Teachers appreciate the communication too.
Expect illnesses: Your baby will fall sick more often in the early months. It’s not a reflection on you or the centre — it’s just exposure. I learned to stock up on medications. Some weeks, he was home more than at school. If you can, have a backup plan for caregiving and don’t feel bad about clearing your calendar when it happens.
Pick up early if it feels right: If you can manage it, there’s nothing wrong with fetching your baby earlier in the day. I felt better seeing him home, relaxed and recharged, before dinner time.
You’ll both grow: Your baby will adjust. You will too. IFC taught us more than just routines — it reminded me to trust, to pause, and to let go in small, doable ways. The growth might not feel big while it’s happening, but you’ll notice it later — in the way you pack more calmly, speak more confidently, or know when to show up early, just because.
This Little Season 