Own a Daycare Blog » first http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:32:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 How to make your first day in daycare a success! http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog/how-to-make-your-first-day-in-daycare-a-success-2 http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog/how-to-make-your-first-day-in-daycare-a-success-2#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 01:09:16 +0000 Mary http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog/?p=809 Related posts:]]> First day in a daycare center can be frightening and exciting at the same time. It can be a breeze for some but most parents experience hell convincing their children that they will be back to fetch them later in the afternoon. Let me share to you some of my helpful tips to prep you and your child in making that first day separation a walk in the park.

When you prepare, start early. Preparation is not just an overnight thing. To start, parents may try to slowly instill into the minds of your children what daycare is going to be like. Obviously, do not go down to the technical stuff and instead, draw a picture into their minds that a daycare will be an adventure wherein he or she will meet new friends and play a lot of games. However, it is fairly easy to overwhelm the child so never overdo it. Parents may also arrange for activities that are done at home be done at the daycare center so that first day won’t be so much of a change in routine.

As First Day is nearing, try to inculcate independence by encouraging the washing of his own hands, visitation of friends, and the like. Weeks prior to first day, regularly take your child with you to visit the daycare to allow the child to absorb the feeling of the environment. If you are already sure about the daycare center wherein you will enroll your child, settle all accounts and make sure all forms are properly filled-up.

On the eve of the first day, make sure that you prepare everything as in everything that will be needed for tomorrow’s big day. Things to pack include, foods, clothes, toys, blankets and other things deemed necessary. It is also helpful that items are labeled.

A good breakfast will surely help you sustain your energy levels as you face the big day. Don’t forget to talk to your child about how great this adventure this will be for him.

Once again, instill independence in your child by letting him pack and carry his own things. Walk your child into the daycare center holding his hand instead of carrying him in your arms.

Most daycare centers advocate settling-in period. This is the period when the parents are allowed to stay longer to interact with their child to ease separation anxiety. However, parents should also be supportive of the policy of limiting too much parent interaction as part of the child’s training. It is suggested that parents just sit back and relax and observe how their child is being treated in the daycare facility. Most of the time, the parents can observe that their child may begin with isolating himself and playing alone but gradually he may venture into joining the group. Children have their own pace and this should be respected. When the parents leave, daycare facilitators may need to distract the child by offering more exciting activities.

An essential part of daycare training is routine. Drop off can be something to establish routine. Instead of accompanying the child inside, parents may opt to train their child to be dropped off outside the daycare as time goes by.

See: How to start a daycare business

Related posts:

]]> http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog/how-to-make-your-first-day-in-daycare-a-success-2/feed 0 How to make your first day in daycare a success! http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog/how-to-make-your-first-day-in-daycare-a-success http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog/how-to-make-your-first-day-in-daycare-a-success#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:33:41 +0000 Mary http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog/?p=710 Related posts:]]> First day in a daycare center can be frightening and exciting at the same time. It can be a breeze for some but most parents experience hell convincing their children that they will be back to fetch them later in the afternoon. Let me share to you some of my helpful tips to prep you and your child in making that first day separation a walk in the park.

When you prepare, start early. Preparation is not just an overnight thing. To start, parents may try to slowly instill into the minds of your children what daycare is going to be like. Obviously, do not go down to the technical stuff and instead, draw a picture into their minds that a daycare will be an adventure wherein he or she will meet new friends and play a lot of games. However, it is fairly easy to overwhelm the child so never overdo it. Parents may also arrange for activities that are done at home be done at the daycare center so that first day won’t be so much of a change in routine.

As First Day is nearing, try to inculcate independence by encouraging the washing of his own hands, visitation of friends, and the like. Weeks prior to first day, regularly take your child with you to visit the daycare to allow the child to absorb the feeling of the environment. If you are already sure about the daycare center wherein you will enrol your child, settle all accounts and make sure all forms are properly filled-up.

On the eve of the first day, make sure that you prepare everything as in everything that will be needed for tomorrow’s big day. Things to pack include, foods, clothes, toys, blankets and other things deemed necessary. It is also helpful that items are labelled.

A good breakfast will surely help you sustain your energy levels as you face the big day. Don’t forget to talk to your child about how great this adventure this will be for him.

Once again, instill independence in your child by letting him pack and carry his own things. Walk your child into the daycare center holding his hand instead of carrying him in your arms.

Most daycare centers advocate settling-in period. This is the period when the parents are allowed to stay longer to interact with their child to ease separation anxiety. However, parents should also be supportive of the policy of limiting too much parent interaction as part of the child’s training. It is suggested that parents just sit back and relax and observe how their child is being treated in the daycare facility. Most of the time, the parents can observe that their child may begin with isolating himself and playing alone but gradually he may venture into joining the group. Children have their own pace and this should be respected. When the parents leave, daycare facilitators may need to distract the child by offering more exciting activities.

An essential part of daycare training is routine. Drop off can be something to establish routine. Instead of accompanying the child inside, parents may opt to train their child to be dropped off outside the daycare as time goes by.

Related posts:

]]> http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog/how-to-make-your-first-day-in-daycare-a-success/feed 0 Tips for Parents and Providers for a Smooth First Day in DayCare http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog/tips-for-parents-and-providers-for-a-smooth-first-day-in-daycare http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog/tips-for-parents-and-providers-for-a-smooth-first-day-in-daycare#comments Sat, 23 May 2009 00:12:19 +0000 Mary http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog/?p=553 Related posts:]]> It is always scary and challenging both for parents and providers to look at the first day in daycare. It is always a big day for everyone concerned – the mom, child and the care provider. First times and first days are always both exciting and terrifying experiences so it is always best to be prepared for the big day and make the transition a smooth one.

Moms should start preparing the child in advance that it’s going to be a great adventure in day care and that they will have lot of new friends and fun games. These should however be kept low key and not overdone as it could overwhelm the child.

Day care providers can, on the other hand, provide moms with a list of first names of the children in day care as well as the carers and suggest having role playing with dolls so that everything will be more familiar with the child on her first day.

Moms should also start fostering independence in the child weeks before by visiting friends, washing their own hands. At the same time, providers should encourage mom and her child to visit the center a few times before finally starting to allow the child to absorb the environment.

Snacks, change of clothes, comfort toys should be packed by moms for the day and make sure that everything is labelled. It is also advisable to have everything paid and for the forms to be completed before the big day so that these will no longer distract you. Moms should also have plenty of time to get ready in the morning of the first day and prepare a good breakfast with some chat about the great adventure ahead.

When a new child is starting at a center, provider should take on an extra hand to focus on distracting and comforting the new child. It is advisable to have the new child start when everyone else has settled into their morning activities as starting off first thing in the morning may upset the child.

Moms should also allow the child to help in packing his back and carrying it. Mom should walk into the center while holding the hand of the child – not carrying him. Providers should encourage this to avoid having the “peeling child off the parent” scene.

Daycares should also have a settling period where child can stay for gradually longer periods. Moms can stay around but involvement should be discouraged. Moms should take a backseat and just observe other than interact with the child activity. During the settling period, the child should have a one on one support. The child may just want to sit and observe a while before eventually joining group activities, he should be allowed to go at his own pace. When the mom leaves, providers should distract the child or usher him off to some exciting activity.

On the first day, the mom can settle in by staying in the room with the child and letting him do his own thing and simply remaining in sight. Test your child’s reactions by stepping out of the room for a while saying that you need to make a call or just in the hall. Let the staff distract your child for a while and watch his reaction from a distance. When you need to go to the car or get some coffee, give your child a quick kiss and say mommy will see you later. If the child cries out, don’t look back as your child will soon stop crying and will be distracted with play and activities.

See: How to start a daycare business

Related posts:

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