Going back to work after maternity leave: a childcare plan that works
A practical plan for childcare after maternity leave: when to start looking, daycare vs nanny vs family, settling in, backup care and creche rights.
Start looking for childcare about three months before you go back to work. Plan two to four weeks of settling in before your first full day. Then build a backup plan, because the first sick day arrives sooner than you expect.
Going back is a big shift for the whole family. A clear plan makes it far less stressful.
Know your leave and workplace rights first
Your timeline starts with your leave. Under India's Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, eligible women get up to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave for their first two children. It added a creche requirement for establishments with 50 or more employees. It also let employers allow work from home after leave, by mutual agreement.
Since 21 November 2025, these provisions sit within the Code on Social Security, 2020. It keeps the creche rule for establishments with 50 or more employees. Check with HR how your employer applies it. Our guide to creches at work in India explains how to ask.
A timeline that works
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3 months before return | Decide on the type of care. Shortlist 4 to 6 options. Check HR for a creche or tie-up. |
| 10 to 8 weeks before | Visit your top 2 or 3. Ask about fees, timings and infant care. |
| 6 to 4 weeks before | Enrol and pay. Fill in forms with both parents' details. Plan your backup. |
| 4 to 2 weeks before | Start settling in: short visits, then half days. |
| Final week | A full day or two while you're still home. Practise the morning routine. |
| First weeks back | Expect a few sick days. Keep the backup plan ready. |
Infant rooms fill up, so don't leave it late.
Daycare, nanny or family?
It depends on your child's age, your hours, your budget and who's around you.
| Daycare or creche | Nanny at home | Grandparents or family | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Predictable office hours | Long or irregular hours | Close-by family who want to help |
| Strengths | Trained staff, routine, other children | One-to-one care, no commute for baby | Trust, love, flexibility |
| Watch out for | Fixed timings, more early illnesses | Single point of failure, harder to supervise | Fatigue, different parenting styles |
| Backup needed for | Centre closures, child's sick days | Nanny's leave and sick days | Family travel and health |
Many families mix these, such as daycare with a grandparent covering sick days. If you're weighing a daycare or a preschool for an older sibling, our guide to preschool vs daycare helps.
Choosing a daycare for a young baby
Infant care needs extra checks. On your visit, ask:
- What is the youngest age you take, and how many babies are in the infant room?
- How many adults care for the babies at any time?
- How do you handle expressed milk or formula? How is it stored and labelled?
- Can I visit to feed during the day?
- How do you record feeds, naps and nappies? (See what daily updates to expect.)
- Where do babies sleep, and who checks on them?
For the full process, use our checklist on how to choose a daycare. Check ratios carefully, as babies need more adults per child. Our teacher-to-child ratio guide explains why.
Plan the settling-in weeks
Don't make your first day at work your child's first full day at daycare. Most children need time to adjust.
A gentle plan:
- Week one: an hour or two with you nearby, then short stays without you.
- Week two: half days, including one meal and one nap.
- Week three: full days, ideally while you're still at home and can pick up early.
Some children settle in days. Others take a few weeks. Read our guide to settling into daycare for goodbye routines and what's normal.
Build the backup plan now
Your child will catch colds in the first months of group care. Centres also close for holidays. Plan for this before you need it.
- Agree who takes sick days. Split them between both parents, not one by default. Our piece on dads and daycare has practical ideas.
- Line up one or two backups. A family member, a trusted neighbour, or a centre that offers single days.
- Talk to your manager early. Ask about flexible hours or work from home for the first few weeks.
See backup childcare options for more.
Look after yourself too
The first weeks back are tiring. You may feel guilty, relieved or both. That's common. Keep the routine simple, share the load, and give it a month.
Kribble will let you compare verified daycares in Gurugram by fees, timings and availability, and book One-Day Daycare when your usual plan falls through.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start looking for daycare before going back to work?
About three months before your return date is a good start. That gives you time to visit, enrol, and settle your child in over two to four weeks before your first full day back.
How long is maternity leave in India?
Under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, eligible women get up to 26 weeks of paid leave for their first two children. These provisions now sit within the Code on Social Security, 2020. Check with HR how it applies to you.
Does my employer have to provide a creche?
Establishments with 50 or more employees are required to provide a creche facility, either their own or a shared one. Ask HR how your employer meets this. Our guide to creches at work explains how to raise it.
Is a daycare or a nanny better after maternity leave?
Neither is better for everyone. Daycare suits predictable hours and offers routine and trained staff. A nanny suits long or irregular hours. Many families combine one with family support for sick days.