Putting your child into childcare for the first time can be distressing for both you and your child. However, these 10 tips for your child’s first day at daycare will help you minimise as much of the stress as possible.
Before
The first three tips start before their first day to get everyone used to the idea.
- Independence – spend time apart from your child. This stops them from feeling so anxious just because you’re not there. It also shows your child that when you say goodbye, you do come back.
- Routine – set bedtimes, wake-up times, meal times, reading time so your family can get used to the changes that childcare will bring.
- Prepare – read books about children going to childcare or preschool and talk about what your child can expect. Visit the childcare before their starting day so your child can familiarise themselves with the surroundings, the educators, and some of the other childcare children. Also, involve your in child buying their new childcare needs, such as backpack, hat, or new shoes.
Your Child
The next four tips focus on your child and how we can help take some of the stress of the first day for them.
- Make sure the morning routine you started before the big day gives everyone plenty of time to dress, have breakfast, brush their teeth, and all the other morning necessities. This way you can all have a relaxed, almost normal morning and keep the excitement up, not the stress.
- Let them take one thing along from home, something that can comfort them if they become overwhelmed.
- Arrive early at childcare so you can spend a little time getting them acquainted with things and settled into an activity. Build a good rapport with the educators and be firm with your goodbye. Tell them you are leaving, and you will be back later. Say goodbye, leave, and don’t turn back (then have a good cry in the car).
- Make sure you are punctual with pickups and then give them some special time at home with you.
You
Don’t forget to think about yourself too.
- Try to keep your anxiety in check so your child doesn’t pick up on it and begin to fret. Let yourself have a cry if you need, but not where your child can see.
- If you can, start work a little late for a few days to allow yourself the time to have a cry. Remember its normal for everything to take a bit of time. Treat yourself to something special or take time with a friend.
- Relieve some of your stress by using childcare finder websites, for example if you’re looking for Mosman childcare.
With these 10 tips for your child’s first day at childcare, you can minimise the stress and anxiety for both you and your child. However, they also remind us to celebrate and enjoy childcare too.