Making Transitioning to Daycare Easier

While some children only take a few days or weeks, it can take some children months to truly acclimate to a new daycare. This is a big transition for them. Think of it as changing to a new job for yourself, but as an adult you have more tools to use to help you learn and understand your new role. Children need the same thing. Here are a few useful ways to help with the transition from daycare to home and back again.

1.    Make sure your goodbye has a routine. Create a goodbye ritual to create fuss-free drop offs. It might mean giving a high five and saying I love you or a kiss on both cheeks. Whatever feels most natural for you and your child.

2.    Start with a short stay and then increase it longer. If possible start with a part-time schedule or a few hours and then build up to more. Choose times that daycare is doing activities that your child loves.

3.    Talk positively about daycare. Even young children can benefit from parents talking through how the day ahead is going to go. You can say things like “tomorrow we are going to drop you off at Cooks Hill and there are going to be other kids. You will have lunch, play with toys and make new friends. After snack I am going to come pick you up.

4.    Send them with their favorite stufty or blanket. Things that smell like home bring comfort so blankets are stuffies work well but your laminate family portrait can also be helpful.

5.    Expect some tears. Everyone needs a moment to decompress after facing a new social situation and young children show distress by crying. Tears are part of the adaptation process and as long is it doesn’t go on and on, it can help teach children flexibility and adaptation.