Easy Changes

Moving your child to a new daycare or preschool can be a traumatic process for both parent and child. Here are a few tips for a smoother transition whether you’re starting fresh or moving to a new provider.

Talk to Your Child
Introduce the idea of daycare or preschool weeks or even a month ahead of time. Talk to child about how they will learn and meet new friends in school. Also, discuss the activities they will participate in and crafts that they can bring home and show you they made. This will help allow your child to get comfortable with the idea of daycare/school.

You might also want to try explaining their schedule on the first day. Starting with how they will be dropped off and how (mommy, daddy, caregiver) will drop them off in the morning, followed by playtime, circle time, lunch and other element of their day. Also explain how (mommy, daddy, and caregiver) will return to pick them up at the end of the day. If a child can visualize their day, it may help to alleviate the fear of the unknown.

Start Gradually
Like any other change that your child will experience starting gradually is a good idea. Begin the process with a few visits to your new provider. Introduce your child to the staff and let them get acquainted with their new surroundings. Since your child will now recognize their new school facility and staff this may help to make the first day easier.

Begin to prepare your child at least a week before you start leaving her in childcare. See if you can take her for short visits a few times before she starts her schedule. Talk to your child about the activities she will be doing, and where in the schedule, for example after nap or lunch, you will pick her up. Allow extra time for dropping your child off for the first few weeks in case she has trouble saying good-bye. Even if your child is upset, it is important that she knows you are leaving instead of you slipping out while she is distracted. Develop and practice a routine for getting ready to go so neither you nor your child are anxious and stressed in the morning.

In future blogs we will further explore how some tips to make your child’s transition easier. The Goddard Ashburn understands how important your child’s first learning experience is. Stop in and see the difference Goddard can make.