Leaving your little one in a daycare for the first time can be tough. And it is just as difficult for both children and parents alike. As a parent, it’s not easy to imagine that your child will have to be left in the care of someone else. The child, on the other hand, may not be comfortable about being sent to a strange, new place. If you are facing the same dilemma, don’t worry because there are steps you can take to make the transition smoother and easier. And here are some of them.
Prepare for the first day
To make the first day less difficult, it would help if you do some preparations. Talk to your child and go over the schedule together. Make sure that clear expectations are set and that you are as detailed as possible. Explain these things to your child over and over again if you must. Also, adjust to the new routine as early as possible. Give your child the chance to get used to a new sleep schedule so that they can get up at the time when they need to wake up when daycare starts.
Visit the daycare with your child
Visit the center with your child in advance. This will help them get familiar with the new environment. And being with you will somehow give them a sense of security. During your visit, make sure that you allow your child to explore the setting on their own. It’ll make them feel that they are not a complete stranger to this new place.
Get to know the caregivers
To reduce the feeling of anxiety, it would help if you know that the caregivers in the daycare can be trusted. Get to know who these people are and learn more about their background. Make sure that you are leaving your child to the caregivers whom you can trust. Remember that these people are going to be taking care of your little one, so you have to be confident in their capacity to do their job well. But if you’re worried and are having second thoughts about a particular daycare and their caregivers, might as well find a center whose staff you can completely trust.
Get organized the night before
Avoid the morning rush by getting organized the night before. Prepare your clothes and your child’s. Make sure that you have their milk and their meals ready for the next day. Also create a list of the things you could not bring in advance. The more organized you are, the clearer your mind will be.
Pack something from home
Send your child something from home to make them feel more comfortable in the new environment. It could be anything that they can keep nearby or in their pocket, like a favorite toy or a family photograph.
Help your child get settled in
Be at the center as early as possible so that you can still stay with your child even for a few minutes. It would help if you let your child take you on a tour around the center or the classroom before you leave. Ask them to tell you what they see and what they love about the place. However, make sure that you don’t linger and keep your goodbye brief. The longer you stay, the harder it’ll be for you to leave.
Don’t hesitate to call if you need to
If it will make you feel better to check in your child, don’t be afraid to make a call. It’s a lot better than having to stop by and visit since it will interfere in your daily routine. It will also distract your little one from getting used to the new routine in their daycare. So if you want to know how things are going, it’s perfectly okay to pick up the phone for extra reassurance.
The first day in the daycare could be tough, but it will get easier as time goes by. You can also follow these tips to help make your child’s first day as smooth and easy as possible. Looking for the best daycare in San Antonio? Please consider The Pillars Christian Learning Center.