Joining childcare in North Ryde is probably going to be the first time your child will be separated from you for longer. It is a huge step not just for them but you as well, especially if you are a first time parent and this happens to be the first time your child will be away from you for longer.
Seeing your little one wail after you drop them off is every parent’s heartbreak. It gets worse if your child takes even longer to adapt.
At Kids Planet Academy, we are totally aware of this phase. We know you feel fearful and nervous about this and that your child is going to need help settling in. Our caregivers and educators are well-trained and experienced in offering that much-needed help both you and your child need to get through this.
In the many years we have been offering childcare services, we have watched kids take around six to seven weeks to fully settle in our daycare. How long your child takes to settle usually depends on several factors that we will be discussing shortly.
Like with every growth milestone, some children adapt to childcare faster than others. You should, therefore, not be worried that your child is taking longer to settle. That day you are waiting for will eventually come.
What We Do To Help Your Child Settle Faster
When you arrive at our facility, our staff will assist you to sign in your child and store their bag in the right locker. They will also connect you to their room leader. Thereafter, the room leader will introduce your child to an activity that will help them settle in. They will also introduce them to the other kids in the room.
On this day, we highly recommend that you do not leave in a hurry. Spend as much as possible with your child at the facility as they settle in. When you finally leave, say goodbye and remind them you will be back later to pick them later. This will give your child a sense of security.
After you leave, we will reassure your child that you will be back and continue to introduce them to other things in their new environment. We will encourage them to go on and explore this new environment, be part of experiences and to connect with the other kids.
Generally, on this first day, our primary focus will be to build a relationship between your little one and their caregivers and the other kids so that they can feel secure and safe.
Here are other things we suggest you do to help your child settle in childcare faster:
Choose Well
The childcare centre you chose for your child will play an important part in how they settle in. Always take your time when making the selection. Learn what it takes to find the best child care in North Ryde. Do not rush the process.
If you don’t do that, they will end up with uncaring caregivers and in a poor environment, which are some of the reasons why children take ages to settle in childcare
Talk To Them First
Many parents with children who settled in fast at our facility admit that mental readiness played an important role. Before the enrollment day, talk to your child about daycare. Let them understand you will be leaving them in a fun place as you go to work. If possible, visit the facility with them so they can get an idea of what to expect.
Create A Routine
Having to stay in a new environment and hanging out with so many unfamiliar people can be a lot of work for your child's developing brain. Adding on to that an inconsistent routine makes things worse.
To help with this, have a routine that you observe from the time they wake to when they go to bed. This way, their minds gradually adapt to the morning routine and they get less fussy when you drop them off.
Have A Well Established Downtime
After attending childcare in North Ryde, your child will in most cases be exhausted both mentally and physically. Come up with a schedule that fits them so they can relax well for the next day. It is understandable that you want to talk to them about their day, but keeping your child up only adds to their fatigue.
This accumulates with time and they get cranky, even refusing to wake up for childcare. If your child is the quiet type, engage them without pushing too much and let them know they can share their experiences with you.
Learn To Say Your Goodbyes
Naturally, your child hates to see you go and will do anything to keep you around. Anything here includes crying. Many parents are tempted to stay and try to calm their kids down but this shouldn't be the case.
Based on their experience, our educators suggest you create a routine for drop off. For example, you can both be saying hello to the caregiver and then hug before you say goodbye.
When your child knows you'll linger if they cry, they make a habit out of it. Trying to sneak out is wrong as it breaks their trust in you.
Build A Relationship With Caregivers
Apart from the fact that they will look after your child in your absence, having a good relationship with your child's caregivers is vital. To settle in fast, your child should see you interact well with the centre’s staff.
If they see you act in an unfriendly way when interacting with their caregivers, they will most probably treat them as strangers. Such an action will make it harder for them to trust their caregivers. Eventually, they will hate being in the centre and won't adapt easily.
Even though you cannot really tell how long it will take your child to settle in childcare, you can help quicken the pace. With the above tips, you can make them love and appreciate childcare in North Ryde. This will, in turn, help them to settle in faster. In addition, be on the lookout for changes in your child that could be a sign of trouble at the facility.