Top 5 Tips for a Smoother Transition into A Group Care Setting
- willowandoakelc
- May 7
- 5 min read
About this time of year, as we head into the summer months, daycares usually see an increase in the number of families who are looking for childcare for the following school year. As our older kids head off to preschool, younger ones come in, and we continue the cycle of growing up little humans into big kids who are ready to take on Kindergarten. Since we're growing our Willow and Oak family, I figured it’d be an ideal moment to reflect on how to help your child with the transition into group care. This will focus on children aged one and up, which is where we see the most difficulty.
Tip #1 - PREP!
Taking a page from Big Little Feelings’ book , we highly recommend their PREP strategy. It works well for introducing any new thing into your toddler’s world.
PREP stands for:
Plan in advance
Reveal the plan
Explain the details
Put them in charge of something small
Plan in advance - Make a plan for how drop off and pick up will work. Things to consider might include: where drop-off will fit in their morning routine, who will drop them off or pick them up, what will happen when they walk into the building, the process of settling into their classroom, how you will say goodbye, after which part of their day they will be picked up, or something to look forward to after they’re picked up (such as seeing a sibling or a favorite stuffed animal waiting in their carseat).
Reveal the plan - let your child know exactly what will happen, in simple terms. Tell the story of how the day will go, creating simple, clear expectations.
Explain the details - give them as much information as possible. Tell them their teacher’s name, the color of the building, what toys are available in the classroom, what will be served for meals/snacks, how you will walk them to the classroom, and anything else that might arm them with the information they need to feel as in control as possible. Especially in the beginning, unexpected surprises can seem even more overwhelming, so having extra information can help them know what to expect.
Put them in charge of something small - this could be anything from putting their bag away in their cubby at daycare to buckling a favorite toy into their carseat to be waiting for them at the end of the day.
Tip #2 - Bring them to Visit Beforehand
While it’s sometimes inevitable, we strongly advise against having the first time your children see the center or meet the teachers be when you’re leaving them for their first day. Most centers offer a walk-through or initial enrollment interview where it is expected that your child will attend.
Here at Willow and Oak, we encourage you to bring your child to meet the teachers, play with the other children, and spend time in the center at least once before they’ll be left for the full day. It takes away some of the unknowns and gives them more information about what to expect, which empowers them to feel a little more in control.
Tip #3 - Have a Special Something
Most centers discourage bringing items from home, but - a special hug, matching hearts drawn on your hands, a kiss on the hand that they can put on their cheek whenever they need it, or even special saying that you repeat to one another can go a long way towards ensuring them that your connection is still there. You can even let your child’s teacher know what you’ve chosen to do, so they can have an individualized way to offer comfort or reassurance as they remind them that you’ll be back soon (i.e. - “You’re really missing mom and dad. Can I see your hand? Look! The kisses are still there! Let’s put one right on your cheek!”)
Tip #4 - Consistency is Key
Being as consistent as possible with your routines and expectations will give children a sense of comfort because they’ll come to know what to expect. They’ll quickly learn that dad comes soon after snack time, or mom always shows up while I’m playing outside in the afternoon. Especially in the beginning, as they’re still learning that their grown-up ALWAYS come back, their routines are incredibly important.
Tip #5 - The Second Day is Usually the Hardest
So many times, I have seen drop-off on day one go so much smoother than expected, only for the parents to be completely blindsided when on day two, their child clings to their body and BEGS not to be left.
This is normal! Your child is now fully aware of just how long you’ll be apart. Even if they enjoyed their first day and had a ton of fun, it makes the process of saying goodbye so much harder.
Hang it there, it gets easier!
Tip #6 - Communicate with your Child’s Caregivers
Talk to the director or teachers, and share any concerns you may. They’ve likely done this many times over, and can work with you to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. This may look like a teacher making sure a favorite activity is ready for them at drop-off or even sending pictures throughout the day to give peace of mind.
Sometimes, the transition is just HARD, and no amount of tips or tricks may seem to help. That's normal, too. If after a few weeks, you feel your child is not adjusting, a conversation with the teachers or director can also lead to better solutions that meet everyone’s needs.
Bonus Note: Often, Thursdays can be rough. Everyone seems to experience a bit of a slump on Thursdays. They’ve spent all week sharing toys and attention, doing their best to make good choices and remember the rules, and they’re tired. Without the underlying thrill that comes with a Friday, Thursdays can see an increase in grumpy moods, tantrums, and clingy behaviors no matter how long a child has been with us in the daycare setting. Here at Willow and Oak, when the Tired Thursdays hit, extra hugs, more moments for calm and quiet play, and more time outside typically help ease us through.
Til next time,
Brooke
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