You'd want to transfer your child to a new childcare centre for various reasons. It may be due to the availability of friendlier and more qualified educators in the unique setting, the five-star services provided, child care rebates, good surroundings, or the free child care services offered.
Despite your clear and excellent intentions, moving to a new facility can significantly impact you and your child. According to some studies, transitions into new childcare settings can cause distress for children, leading to increased cortisol secretion. This mainly occurs during the first two weeks of the start at the centre. (1)
Therefore, you may want to adopt methods enabling you and your child to embrace the change without much friction. Before searching ‘child care near me,’ consider these five tips to make your child care transition seamless and effortless.
1.Talk to your child about the transition
No matter your child's age, talking to them openly and honestly about the transition is essential. It enables them to mentally prepare for the changes and understand what they expect next. Your child has already developed strong bonds and friendships with the caregivers and other children in their previous childcare centre. For this reason, moving them without awareness can impact their mental health. This can make the transition process more difficult.
Accordingly, you'd want to have a positive conversation with your child, informing them that they'll meet other good, kind, loving teachers and children in their new facility. Also, assure your kid that making good friends with them is possible. Lastly, you can discuss with them the reasons behind the transition and why you chose that particular centre.
2. Visit the new childcare facility
Regular visits with your child to the new childcare centre can ease the transition process. You can do this for weeks or even months before the reporting day. This enables your child to familiarise themself and adapt to the new environment. Moreover, they can have the opportunity to interact and develop relationships with the caregivers, children, toys and other equipment in the facility. This way, they can slowly and smoothly love the new setting.
As a parent, on the other hand, you can get an insight into how caregivers interact with children. Also, you can have an opportunity to ask any questions and raise any safety concerns you may notice. Doing so gives you confidence and assurance that your child will be safe and comfortable in your temporary absence.
3. Take transition items to the new setting
Usually, your child has self-comforting strategies they use to counteract emotions, fears and anxieties when you're not around. One of the strategies is to use transition objects. These objects provide comfort and security when moving from familiar to unfamiliar places. They enable them to make emotional transitions from dependence to independence. (2)
Ideally, these items are practical because they feel good, are soft, cuddly and pleasant to touch. Also, they're familiar to your child. These items could be their teddy bears, toys, blankets or anything that makes them feel that everything will be fine. (2)
4. Get to know the educator
A childcare educator is crucial to your kids' overall growth, health and safety. They provide them with the necessary skills and resources to succeed as adults and provide them with fundamental cultural values. Besides that, caregivers offer children guidance, protection and encouragement as they grow and mature physically, emotionally, mentally and socially. (3)
As a result, you'd want to ascertain that a caregiver has undertaken childcare courses. This way, you'll have peace of mind since you're sure your kid is under professional care. Also, you'll have the assurance that they have the knowledge and awareness about child development and expectations of children's behaviour at every age. Such knowledge enables them to handle children positively, thus boosting their healthy growth.
5. Say goodbye confidently
Often, you may be tempted to stay a little bit longer with your child or sneak back and confirm whether they're doing good. This is especially true if your child cries and wants you to stay with them. Although this may signify your love and care for your child, it can make the separation process longer and more distressing.
The best thing you can do is give them a swift and confidence goodbye. This gives your child the impression that they're safe. Feeling nervous, uncomfortable and disturbed about leaving your child can augment their uneasiness. This is because you'll signify that it isn't okay for them to be there.
Conclusion
As a parent, it’s your joy and pleasure for your kids to be comfortable at all times, including during their stay at a childcare facility. It’s practically impossible to have peace of mind when your kids get distressed and find it hard to cope because of the new environment they’re exposed to. By following the above tips, transitioning into a new child care centre will be smooth and hassle-free for you and your child.
