Settling Your Child into Child Care

Some suggestions to ensure an easy settling for your child into child care...

No matter how old your child is and what type of care you choose for them, a change in routine can be difficult and cause anxiety for both you and your child.

To minimise the distress and anxiety on both parts, here are some suggestions:

• Preparing your child for the change to other care arrangements will support the child in settling in more successfully.
• Depending on the age of your child, talk to them and explain why the change is necessary.
• Tell your child about the centre or care giver before you actually go there.
• Visit the service or care giver before leaving the child there. Spend some time familiarising yourself and your child with the care and the service.
• Check your local library for resources to help settle your child into care. Often picture books for children that tackle the issue of care outside the home can be useful or ask your childcare centre manager for materials that may help
• Always reassure the child that you will return.
• Make sure you say goodbye to them every time. If you suddenly disappear the child may become more anxious about staying as they have not been reassured that you will return.
• To assist them settling in, if they wish, let them take a special toy or other possession, so that they will feel more comfortable.
• Spend some quality time with your child after you have picked them up each day. Ask them what they did, how they felt etc.
• Try not to introduce too much change at the same time.
• Make sure you provide the care giver with all relevant information regarding your child and their specific needs, including routines and moods.

How will you know if the care you have chosen is meeting you and your child's needs?

• Observe your child andn others at the centre and the operation of the centre.
• Talk to the staff about how comfortable your child may or may not feel.
• Talk to your child (if possible) about how they feel when they are at the childcare centre.

Your child may indicate they are happy and comfortable in the service by:

• Being enthusiastic about going to the service.
• Talking about what they do during the day in a positive way.
• Being involved in activities when you arrive to pick them up.
• Bringing home items made at the centre.

While the above are only indications about how some children may react, you, as a parent, will know if your child's needs are being met. At Guardian Childcare, our team members are trained to observe each child and will discuss with you any issues that they may think warrant being brought to your attention; after all, happy children AND happy parents lead to a positive atmosphere in any well-managed childcare centre.

Over the years, Guardian Childcare Alliance has built a reputation as one of the best childcare centre management companies in Australia. Our childcare centres thrive on the quality of our childcare services systems, our people and our ability to deliver a caring and nurturing environment for children in our care. Guardian also offers childcare consultants to assist current day care centre owners or prospective investors with childcare centre management advice. And if you would like to join the Guardian team, check out our dedicated child care jobs and careers website.