Preparing two boys for the end of my partner's career break

Since the career break started, my partner has done school pickup every day, and the boys have got very used to walking out and seeing a familiar face. The break was always meant to end, and it looks like that will be early next year. I'm hybrid with a fixed office day, so after school will mean a caregiver, or a daycare near the school, for at least some days. Nothing is decided yet, which is partly why I'm asking now. The boys are a year apart and they notice everything. Did you tell your children months ahead or closer to the change? And did one of yours take it much harder than the other? ❤️