How can you help your child settle into child care?

Prepare them for the separation

• Leave your child with their grandparents or your friends for a few hours every day so they get used to your absence.
• Talk about child care with your child and let them know that you are happy and confident that they will have a good time and will be cared for.
• If possible, start with shorter or fewer days then gradually increase their time spent at the care centre. Once they develop a settling routine, they should be more comfortable.
• Don’t let your emotions or anxieties affect your child. Try and hold back your tears when you drop them off.
• Say ‘goodbye’ confidently and reassure them when you leave that you (or someone else) will be back later to collect them.
• Give your child sufficient time to say their goodbyes in the morning. Reach the child care centre early so you have time to prepare your child for a good day.

Comfort them

• Ask your child if they would like to take their favourite toy or colour book to the centre.
• Find a preferred staff member that your child can be left with when you drop them off for the day.
• Spend some time settling your child into a favourite activity before you leave.
• Inform the service about what comforts your child and discuss how you manage activities or times of the day they find unsettling. For example, does your child have a toy or blanket that helps them to settle?
• Show empathy – in the morning when you see your child upset on your way to child care, talk to them. It is advised not to share your own worries, but tell your child that they’ll be okay. Ask them to share their feelings with you. Listen to them and tell them what they are feeling is normal and it’s a big step for them as they are growing up.
• Where possible, organise play dates outside of child care. This will help your child be more comfortable with the other children at the centre.

Encourage them

• Every time you go to pick up your child from their centre, tell them they did great that day.
• Encourage your little one pack their bag with essentials they will need for the day. If they are too young to pack their bag themselves, ask them if they would like to take a toy/book with them. Pack a comforter – a toy or blanket that is something familiar from home for them.
• Take the time to have a nice conversation at the breakfast table. Tell them the time at what you’ll be picking them up, and perhaps offer them a reward if they behave well at their care centre.
• Talking with children and encouraging them to voice any concerns or anxieties they may have is a helpful strategy.

For your peace of mind it can be helpful to call the service later to see how your child settled. Children who become very upset when they are left often settle very quickly and happily once the actual separation is over. The service should enable you to contact them throughout the day.

You may also want to speak to the educators at child care about how you can better support your child’s transition.

How can the service assist your child to settle?

The educators at the service should also demonstrate openness and sensitivity in assisting your child and family to settle. Some important ways for them to do this include:

• Providing you with verbal and/or written information about what can be expected when your child is settling and giving you settling tips during this process.
• Keeping you informed about your child’s settling, and actively seeking ongoing information from you about your child’s needs and interests.
• Inviting you to call or visit the service
• Giving you information about anything that may be happening at the service that may affect your child’s settling. For example, the absence of key people who work with your child.
• Reviewing the settling process for your child with you to identify how this is going.

Reconnecting with your child after a day in childcare

It’s not only a new experience for your child, it’s also important for you to know how they feel about going to their early childhood education and care service. This will help you connect and build a strong relationship with your child.

After you pick them up from their centre, give them your undivided attention. They might be grumpy because they haven’t seen you the whole day, so shower them with all the love you can.

Create a meaningful conversation with them after their day at a service.

Visit our chilcare centre in Penrith OR call us on (02) 4721 7607 if you have any questions/concerns.