Starting a New Daycare

Starting at daycare is soo stressful...one of the hardest things I have ever done. I had my son in A. 2010, and luckily I was able to be home with him until September. It was so nice and I dreaded going back to work. (I am a teacher.) We thought we made the right choice. After 4 short months there we ended up pulling him...it was a nightmare. Luckily the place I originally looked into when I was pregnant (that didn't have any openings)...by chance had an opening in January. So, my son started there and we LOVE it! I think it's just finding the right place. He has been home with me this summer, and will return in just a few weeks, but I don't have that knot in my stomach like I did last summer, because I know for sure he is happy and safe where he is...in addition to loving his daycare provider. Everything will be okay. My suggestion...any concerns- bring them forward immediately. If your gut is telling you something isn't right, you're probably right...keep seaching. You will find the perfect match for your children, and when you do they will STRIVE! There are definitely pros to having your child attend daycare. Good luck! :)

I don't know how it works in centers. But in my in-home daycare I go above and beyond to make the new children feel comfortable and have fun. I've learned that if one of the other ankle biters do something mean or if they have too much time on their hands to think about being shy or new then they will have a longer time ahead of them to adjust. I hope the teachers are doing all kinds of little things to make them feel special and watching any of the potential trouble makers close to make sure they don't give them any grief.

My son was in the same daycare until we had to move him to a place closer to his school for busing issues (when he turned 3 he transfered from EI to the school district preschool) - I didn't think it would be an issue as he's always been outgoing and excited to meet new people. Well, for 2 weeks he cried everyday and sometimes most of the day. It broker my heart as I was 'that child' when I was young and knew how he felt. The director would call me each day and let me know how things were going and asking me things that may help him......I ended up forwarding her a couple of family pictures he could carry around throughout the day. Each day I picked him up he'd be clutching to the pictures. In the evening we'd talk about what he did, who he met, and where I was during the day as well. I tried not to overdo talking the place up - I think kids can pick up on you being phoney. It's a rough transition but I know, when I was the one sad about going to school, what I needed was reassurance that my parents knew where I was, they knew I was safe, they thought about me during the day, and that they were coming back for me. I also tried implementing all I thought would help me, I'd tell my son, after lunch you'll have naptime, then snack, after snack you'll have some playtime then I'll be there.....Best of luck!

Just take them in, give a snuggle, tell them you love them, and you'll see them later, then leave. It makes the transition much quicker and easier. I can honestly tell you the only child I have ever had that had issues had them for 3 weeks, constant crying. She was the only child that cried after mom got out of sight. The rest were playing and having fun before moms hiney hit the seat of her vehicle.

She is doing well or the teacher would be telling you she is concerned.