Successful First Day at Day Care Top Tips for Parents and Child Care Professionals
The first day at day care is looming and it is a scary and challenging prospect for mom and provider alike. But, never fear, I have compiled the First Day Survival Guide for all concerned.
This is a team effort with Mom laying the groundwork by gently preparing the child with talk of how much fun day care will be. The provider can be suggesting role playing at home, perhaps providing mom with names of kids and carers to facilitate that familiarization.
Moms should allow the child to help pack and carry their bags. When you arrive at the day care, walk your child to the door holding his hand, do not carry him. Carrying the child will make the transition considerably harder for all concerned.
One of the providers policies should be a settling in routine where mom and child pay several visits to the day care in the weeks preceding the first day. Mom should become familiar with the routines of the day care and begin implementing them at home plus fostering independence by arranging visits to other kids homes.
Providers, insist that parents walk their child from the car to the door. Mom, allow your child to pack his own bag. When you get to the day care do not carry him, this will just make the separation all the harder. Hold his hand and walk him to the door.
Providers, your settling in routines are vital and it is crucial you allow mom to be there but not be there. Let the child move at his own pace - be it observing quietly or playing alone. Provide one on one support and be ready when mom leaves to whoosh him away and providing lots of distraction with toys and activities.
Settling in is the time for mom to be there but not be there... Mom should be in the background providing fairly silent support. Allow your child to absorb his new surroundings. Gauge his reactions by stepping out of the room momentarily, explain that you are making a phone call and are just in the hall. Eventually, you will sit in your car or get a coffee as your child settles down. When that time comes say, bye mom will see you later, positively with a quick kiss and leave the room. If your child cries do not look back. They will be distracted and will stop crying shortly.
Parents and providers should work together from the very beginning. This communication and consistency will ensure a happy and smooth transition for the child. Now, providers can enjoy their new little character and moms can enjoy a few hours of me time!!
ChildCareOnly.com provides articles and resources for child care providers and parents. Plus, a DVD guide to 'Starting a Child Care Business': StartChildCare.com The brainchild of Fiona Lohrenz, a veritable font of child care knowledge, who can be found at her website: ChildCareOnly.com
Published January 4th, 2008