Preparing Your Child For Their First Day At Childcare

Brain research has demonstrated that children are learning from the moment they are born. Their first three years are when important learning experiences take place like language acquisition and social behaviours that will have a major effect on their progress in school and life in general. These early language-rich and nurturing experiences are crucial to promoting the healthy development of the young brain.

Considering that fact, finding a high-quality early learning setting is essential for working parents. Once
you have enrolled your child in a quality setting like Ryde childcare, we have some advice on how to make sure your child is prepared for their first day away from you and home in childcare!

Pay A Visit

By visiting the childcare centre with your child in advance you will be helping them adjust to the new environment. You and your child will be able to meet the caregivers so it will be familiar faces they see on that often difficult first day. Talk up how much fun it will be to make new friends and enjoy the centre’s interesting and educational activities. Now it won’t be a strange and scary new place when you arrive on Day One!

Talk About It

After the initial visit, go over it with your child once you are back home. Talk about the caregivers using their names, and discuss what they will be doing with you during the day. Always make sure to mention that you will you will be there to pick them up at the end of the day, and what fun things you will do once you are back home!

Morning Routine

Knowing what’s going to happen and when is comforting to children, it helps them to feel like they have some control. Having a familiar morning routine soothes anxieties, do a practice run or two to get them ready, by then they will be excited about actually going!

Transitional Object

Bringing an object to childcare that reminds them of home will help your child feel more at ease in their new environment. Try a laminated family photo or a favourite stuffed animal. The presence of this comforting object from home will remind them they are just there for a few hours, and you will be coming back for them later.

Change of Clothes

Make sure to bring a change of clothes for your child to wear in case they have a messy encounter with mud, finger paint, or a bathroom accident.

Goodbye Ritual

Saying goodbye to each other in the same way every day will help your child feel confident that they aren’t being abandoned when you leave. It could be a hug or a high five, or involve interacting with a favourite toy- “Mr Bear will be here with you to keep an eye on you while I’m gone, right Mr Bear?” Keep it light and fun, and your child will be smiling as they wave goodbye, looking forward to the exciting day ahead with their friends and caregivers!

The first time you leave your child at the childcare centre is bound to be an emotional experience for
you both, but these tips can make it go easier.