How can I make the transition into childcare a little less stressful?

10/31/2013

Thank you so much to Seeds & Sprouts Early Learning and Childcare Centre for these awesome tips on transitioning into childcare. I put my daughter in daycare when I was pregnant with my son and this is almost exactly the same advice I would give out!

Secure your spot

• Beaumont has 3 childcare programs, and many licensed as well as private day homes. Do your research to determine what is going to be the best fit for your family. Please remember that just because it is convenient, that does not mean it is the right fit.
• Look through the Policies and Procedures – Get a copy of the program’s Parent’s Handbook.
• Make sure to ask around. What is the reputation like?
• Once you have determined that you are comfortable with the program, their philosophies and the space that your child would be staying in, find out how to register them. – Some programs have a deposit, some will require you to fill out a registration package: Ensure you confirm what the requirements are for the program you are hoping to attend.

Questions

• Make sure that you (and your partner) create a list of questions and concerns that you may (and probably will) have regarding the Childcare program that you have chosen to use.
• ** No question is a dumb question where your child(ren) are concerned!**

Schedule

• Every program has a unique schedule: Sometimes you get lucky and it is the same one you are already using!
• Adopting the schedule that the program uses will help your child(ren)’s transition. This means slowly adjusting your scheduled nap time to match the program’s, as well as your meal times and snack times.
• If your child is an infant – the program should be able to accommodate their sleeping schedule (ei. your child naps in the morning as well as the afternoon)
• Make sure you discuss schedules with your provider to ensure that everything will go smoothly.

Final Steps

• Make sure you read through your parent’s handbook. Within it there should be a list of thing that you will need to provide for your child’s first day, things to leave at the facility (ie. extra clothes, diapers, sunscreen, etc.)
• See if the program is able to do stay and plays! – This is where the child and the parent attend the program together for a short time period so that everyone has a chance to adjust. When the first full day comes, everyone feels at ease and comfortable in their surroundings.

Click here for more information on: Seeds & Sprouts Early Learning and Childcare Centre