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Starting Day Care

There are a few things you can do to make the starting Day Care a little easier for you and your child. Here are a few suggestions from parents:

Visit the school, provider home or have the in-home provider visit. Include the classroom, cafeteria, playground and bathroom (If potty trained.) Introduce him/her to their new day care provider. And inform the provider of any important issues (lovey at nap-time, toileting problems, personal habits, etc)

Pack up a beloved blanket or other comfort item from home and any other supplies the daycare requires.

Shop for new clothes and supplies (like a lunchbox) to get your child excited about this new experience.

Be sure to provide all emergency contact information including if you have a pager and/or cell phone those numbers as well.

If the time is available try starting with several hours before jumping into a full day at first. Perhaps even gradually increasing time over the course of several days.

Nurse your baby or pump bottles for your child in advance of getting to the day care or leaving your home.

DROP and LEAVE! Say good-bye and when you will return (for example "I love you. I will be back after lunch.") Do not stay with your child for an extended period of time. It only makes the separation process harder on you and your child.

Call when you get to work if you have concerns about your child's behavior when you left. Chances are excellent that your child is just fine now.

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