Somewhere between the last nappy change of your leave and the first alarm clock of your new routine, there's a moment most parents don't talk about enough: the moment you realise going back to work isn't just a logistics problem. It's an emotional one too. If you're feeling a strange mix of relief, guilt, excitement and grief all at once, you're not alone, and you're not doing it wrong.
It's OK if returning to work feels complicated
Most conversations about returning to work focus on your child, how they'll settle, whether they'll cry at drop-off, how quickly they'll make friends. All of that matters. But so does how you're feeling. It's genuinely common for parents to feel torn: looking forward to using your brain in a different way again, while also grieving the slower pace of your leave. Raising Children Network(opens in new tab) notes that returning to work after having a baby is a big adjustment, and that it can help to talk to other parents who've been through it and hear how they managed.
There's no single 'right' way to feel about this. Some parents count down the days. Others need a good cry in the car park on day one. Both are completely normal.
Start the practical preparation early
Book in trial days
A short trial or settling-in session before your official start date gives your child a gentle introduction to their room and educators, and gives you a chance to see the day from the outside; who greets them, how nap and play are handled, what drop-off actually feels like. Our settling-in guide walks through how we support this for every family, and our educators are always happy to arrange extra visits if your little one needs more time.
Sort out a feeding plan
If you're breastfeeding or expressing, it's worth thinking through logistics before your first day back, both at work and with your centre. That might mean talking to your educators about expressed milk storage and feeding times, or talking to your employer about breaks. Raising Children Network(opens in new tab) has practical guidance on keeping breastfeeding going once you're back at work, including what to discuss with your employer beforehand.
Talk to your centre before you talk to your calendar
Your educators want to know the small things: your child's usual nap window, their comfort item, the word they use for the toilet, how they like to be settled. Our family handbook covers what to share and when, and a quick conversation with your child's room leader before your return date means day one feels far less like a leap into the unknown.
Know what's changed with the Child Care Subsidy
If it's been a while since you last looked at the numbers, there's good news. Since January 2026, the 3 Day Guarantee means CCS-eligible families can access at least three days of subsidised care each week, regardless of work hours, so the old activity test no longer determines your baseline days. You can see how this applies to your family, and get a general sense of your out-of-pocket costs, on our Child Care Subsidy page.
Have the flexibility conversation with your employer
You may be entitled to request flexible working arrangements when you return, things like adjusted hours, a phased return, or changed start and finish times. Fair Work Ombudsman(opens in new tab) has information on how to make this request in writing and what your employer needs to consider. It's worth having this conversation before your return date, not after, so your first weeks back have some breathing room built in.
What the first few weeks tend to look like
If anything about your return, feeding, routines, settling, drop-off, is weighing on you, have a chat with your child's educators. They see families through this transition all the time and can offer practical, centre-specific advice tailored to your child.