Terrible 2's: Toddlers Hitting & Throwing Tantrums

I've got a two year old that decided to start hitting kids at daycare last week and being put in time out. He's had 3 "bad" days. Never been much trouble until last week when it's like a switch flipped (I don't think he's ever been in time out before). Daycare asked if anything has changed at home or in his routine because it's noticeable that he's being a little shite (nothing has). They say it's normal, but they, like us, are interested to find out why it's happening and what we can do to change it.

Any advice on what you can do? Anyone go through this with their toddlers? In front of us it's easy. We can talk to him, put him in time out, take away a toy, etc.. To be honest it's never really a problem at home. But no clue how to stop it at daycare. Especially since by the time we can talk with him about it, he has no clue what we're referring to anymore.

I realize OT probably isn't the best place to learn how to raise a kid, but with the degenerates here, I'm sure someone's popped out a little devil.