Preparing for your child to start daycare can be both exciting and daunting. Finding the right daycare for your child means they can flourish whilst you return to your work commitments without a worry. Below are few key steps to help prepare your family and your child for a smooth transition and a positive experience in a daycare.
Start researching daycare options well in advance. Consider factors such as philosophy, location, hours of operation, curriculum, staff qualifications, safety measures and reviews from other parents.
Visit potential daycares to get a firsthand look and feel for the service, observe how caregivers interact with children and ask questions about their daily routines and activities.
Plan a gradual transition period before the official start date. This could involve short visits where you stay with your child initially, then gradually increase the time spent apart from them.
Talk to your child about the daycare, especially in the days leading up to the first day. Familiarise your child with the daycare environment and introduce them to the educators during these visits. This helps them feel more comfortable and reduces anxiety on their first official day.
Start establishing a consistent daily routine at home that aligns with the daycare schedule. This includes mealtimes, nap times and play time routines. Share these routines with your child’s educators to provide consistency for your child. Consistency in routines helps children feel secure and can make the transition to daycare smoother.
Support your child to self-settle for their day and night naps. Sleeping well at daycare can help a child settle quicker into the daycare routine.
4. Increase Socialisation Opportunities
Arrange playdates or outings with other children to help your child become more comfortable with social interactions.
Encourage sharing and taking turns during play with other children and family members to prepare them for socialising with peers at daycare.
Build a positive relationship with daycare staff by communicating daily, openly and sharing information about your child’s routines, preferences, successes and any special needs they may have.
Discuss any concerns or questions you have about your child’s adjustment to daycare and ask how information such as nappy changes, nap times and your child’s day will be communicated.
Don’t underestimate how much your child understands and talk to them about starting daycare in a positive and reassuring manner. Emphasise the fun activities they will do and the friends they will make. Re-emphasise the fact that you’ll be there to pick them up at the end of the fun day. Ask all family member to get involved in these discussions.
Read books about starting daycare together to normalise the experience and address any concerns they may have.
Make sure you have all necessary supplies ready and labelled, such as extra clothes, water bottle, milk bottles (if needed), hat, nappies (if required) or training pants, comfort items like a favourite toy, book or blanket and any required paperwork or medical forms.
Plan a gradual transition period before the official start date. This could involve short visits where you stay with your child initially, then gradually increase the time spent apart from them.
Talk to your child about the daycare, especially in the days leading up to the first day. Familiarise your child with the daycare environment and introduce them to the educators during these visits. This helps them feel more comfortable and reduces anxiety on their first official day.
By taking these proactive steps before your child starts daycare, you can help set the stage for a successful and positive experience for everyone involved. Remember that each child adjusts at their own pace, so patience and support are key throughout the process.
