When it is time for your child to transition to new childcare, one center to another, or even to a new classroom with other children, it is important to prepare everyone involved. Children are often very sensitive to change and aren鈥檛 yet able to express their concerns with words. Often a new environment could bring toddlers or both you some sense of separation anxiety. Giving them the tools to deal with the daycare transition helps them feel more secure and prepared. Here are a few tips that can assist your child as he or she transitions to a new daycare center.
Acknowledge Your Own Feelings About the Change
Sometimes the best thing we can do to help our children is honestly confronting things that are difficult. Do you feel anxious, worried, or unsure about the change? Acknowledging those feelings will help you accept them and be more available to assist your child鈥檚 transition. Or perhaps you are feeling nostalgic that your little one is growing up. Honoring those sweet parental moments is a healthy way to move forward to bigger and better things.
Talk About It a Lot
One of the best ways to prepare a child for a change is talking about it at neutral times. When you are driving in the car, eating a meal, or saying goodnight, simply say something like, 鈥淚n a few weeks, it will be time for you to go to a new place while I go to work. There will be lots of new friends there, and you will have so much fun.鈥 No more information than that is necessary since small children typically cannot yet understand lengths of time and it could confuse them. If you bring up the change a couple of times a week, you help your child get used to the idea and make the transition easier.
New Routines
Establish a new routine or two in the development phase to test waters of how your child will react to a new situation. Childcare may be a little different than changing snack time to a different time than normal but parents can at least expect the stress that might be on the way. At the same time, you may discover a rather pleasant surprise. Toddlers are rather resilient given a new environment if you leave promptly and say goodbye while leaving their favorite toy? Practice this with family, perhaps? You can leave your child with family for an afternoon, so in your child’s eyes, getting left with their new daycare teachers seems to be a similar scenario.
Your child’s teacher or any of the daycare teachers at the new school can provide many ways to make your child feel comfortable once you depart. The daycare center trains on these types of situations so rest assured that it will be ok.
Visit If You Can
Taking your child to the new daycare center before their first day can greatly benefit both of you. They can see and experience a taste of what life will be like at the new center, while you can meet the teachers, see the new space, other toddlers, and help your child feel safe. If you drive past the new location regularly, even just pointing at it out the car window on occasion can help your child feel some ownership before the official transition. If you are not able to visit the new location before her first day, it may help your child to visit the childcare providers website together to view photos or watch the introductory video. Anything that will help the new childcare situation feel more familiar is helpful.
Confirm All the Details
Before you transition to new childcare, be sure you have all the details ironed out. Who will be taking your child and picking them up? Are there any rules, regulations, or requirements that are different from your past situation? Be sure that the new school has all the information they require, like your doctor鈥檚 information, phone numbers, emergency contacts, etc. Also, inform anyone who relies on you throughout the day (supervisors and co-workers) that you may need to be more available during the transition. By getting all the details accomplished beforehand, you can focus on your child and his needs when the actual transition comes.
Prepare to Give Whatever Support They Need
Children are all different and respond to change in their own unique ways. There鈥檚 no way to predict how your child will react to the transition to new childcare. But you can prepare to offer kind and understanding support regardless of how your child responds. If you enter the situation expecting to have some rough days, you may be pleasantly surprised by how well your child adapts. At the same time, it is wise to make space for more difficult behaviors and challenges, in case your child requires more time and encouragement from you.
If you’re not sure how to start, ease into it.
Starting the transition to new childcare center on a Monday might not be a good idea. Starting on Friday may send the wrong message and add to your child’s unpleasant experience of starting from the beginning on Monday. Generally for a smooth transition, starting the new daycare mid-week on a Wednesday could be successful. It’s also feasible to start a half-day early or care for your child in the morning. Check with the daycare’s daily timetable to see whether there are any changes. Keep it consistent, such as blankets, sleeping mats, cup cups, lunch bags, forks, knives, and anything else you can think of. If your children are using one, take favorite toys, stuffed animal, or a pet with you. But even if we don’t make a simple transition it’ll be okay for sure.
It’s more difficult for the parent than it is for your child
You’ve been worrying about it for many years without thinking of your child. Do you feel you have more anxiety than you sense your child has? Nothing will make your children feel happier than the plethora of daycare alternatives accessible. Maybe their first few days at daycare were tough, do not press them to leave. Consistency and stability are advantages in this case. You’ll be able to see how brave they were when they switched daycares and what a variety of new experiences they had after your child begins kindergarten in 3 to 4 years.
A new childcare situation is exciting. It means new potential and relationships. It can also be stressful as you and your child adapt to the expectations and routine that the new classroom includes. Taking the time to be aware of these challenges and be present with your child will go a long way toward making the transition to new childcare smooth and easy. Looking for new childcare? Consider entrusting your child to 麻豆视频AV. Our staff pursues excellence in all they do and works hard to help all children become the best versions of themselves. Call or tour your local location today!