How to Help Your Child Settle Into Childcare
Is your little one settling in a new childcare facility?
When starting child care with a new provider, some children will need help in going that extra mile to accept and form attachments to new caregivers.
When a child has a distinct separation issue, it can sometimes be hard for everyone involved. Here are some strategies that can help make a local child care environment a pleasant experience for both you and your child.
1. Prepare them to settle in the daycare
During the days leading up to the separation, allot some time for them to get used to your absence.
Let them spend some time with their grandparents or friends without your presence for a few hours. Give them a little pep talk about what to expect in the facility so they won’t be bent out of shape hours leading up to it. During the first day itself, remain stoic and don’t sound or show a high degree of attachment or anxiety over your child’s departure.
Say your “good-byes” to them in a confident, self-assured manner as well — while also reminding them you’ll pick them up later. If you’ve been propping them up for the experience early, they’ll become more secure and confident to venture into this new territory. This can make the entire process smooth-sailing and more pleasurable for them in the end.
2. Consider an orientation visit
Visit the facility centre days in advance.
Before leaving your child into the childcare facility, it’s prudent to research and figure out whether the facility has the resources that’ll bring the best out of them. An orientation visit not only helps you get a clear picture of what to expect, but it also gives your child (should they tag along) some time to foster a relationship with their daycare facilitators and classmates as well.
This can ease them into the process by giving them a chance to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. Preventing or diminishing first-time jitters and anxiety will help them settle in much more smoothly into the daycare — and an orientation visit helps a tonne with that.
3. Provide comfort to ease their worries
During the big day, it’s inevitable for your child to express discomfort in their new surroundings. If your child is particularly against going inside the daycare, you may have to ease them into the facility yourself.
To get their mind away from anxious thoughts, consider doing some safe and fun activities with them in the facility. This can come in the form of activities such as letting them draw in a colouring book or allowing them to bring their own plush toy alongside them.
If you’ve gone for an orientation visit, you may also find it advantageous to have your child familiarise themselves with one of the facility practitioners. Once you’re gone, you can leave your child in the hands of this preferred caretaker.
Above all else, however, is to practice empathy and allow them to show their emotions to you. Do they feel like daycare’s right for them? Are they happy? What makes them sad in the daycare? Understanding your child can give you actionable steps to create a more meaningful experience for you and your child.
4. Encourage them to go and express happiness if they do
Reinforcing your child is powerful. Every time you pick them up from the facility, it’s a good idea to praise them for finishing the day strong (“You’ve finished the day, good job!”). If they don’t go home with a sense of enthusiasm, ask them about their day and if anything bad happened. Allow them to talk about it without judgment and be sincere in your words.
Aside from picking them up, you can start encouraging them before the day too. Eat breakfast together and have a productive conversation. Maybe entice them with a reward after their time in the facility is done for the day. This can keep them in an upbeat mood throughout the day — should you follow through with your promise too, of course.
5. Talk to the staff about any special conditions
Does your child have any conditions that will require them to undergo special care?
Disclose that information to the childcare centre and staff to let them know about it. If your child needs special medication or a toy that they need with them at all times, inform the staff beforehand.
It’s not unusual for them to receive special requests as these childcare facility staffs have been trained and specialised in dealing with all sorts of children. You can let them know about these conditions as you sign the initial paperwork.
6. Stay updated with your child’s progress
Openness and sensitivity are key for both parents and facilitators. The childcare facility will have procedures in place to offer the best and most meaningful experience for the children within their premises.
But communication doesn’t have to stop on the first day. You can also conduct frequent email messages or video meetings with the staff to stay on the same page regarding your child and their development.
Proactively seek updates on your child’s settling and any new shifts in their environment. You can also visit the facility once classes are over and ask the participating staff to give a rundown of what happened throughout the day.
If your child’s mood suddenly changes, it’s dutiful for you to be on top of what has conspired in the area. Maybe their favourite teacher left or someone picked on them. Figuring out the cause of negative experiences can help you, the facilitators, and the child to address it in the best way.
