The day that your baby, toddler or preschooler goes to daycare for the first time is a massive step! Before this, you may have spent all day with your child, so going to daycare is definitely a big adjustment for everyone in the family! But sending your child to daycare has many learning benefits. It allows them to socialise with other children their age, and you get a break in which you can work, run errands, have some well deserved you time, etc.
As a valued daycare in West Auckland, we have seen many parents and children go through this process, and we have some advice! To make their first day at daycare a little easier, there are a number of things that you can do in preparation, including:
Choosing The Right Daycare
If you choose a daycare that really feels like the right fit for your family, it is going to take a lot of stress off of your shoulders. You should do your research and pick a daycare that aligns with your values and is preferably close to home or work. If a centre feels right, you will feel more secure about leaving your child there. This will make them feel the centre is safe, and it will help their transition into the centre easier. Be sure not to leave finding the right one to the last minute.
Talk About Daycare
One way that you can effectively prepare your child for daycare is to talk to them about it and get them excited for their first day. It would not be a good idea to spring it on them out of the blue.
Work On Your Child’s Independence
Depending on your child’s age, it may be a good idea to work on their independence before they start going to daycare by getting them to perform certain tasks on their own. For example, if they can already put their shoes on by themselves, daycare is going to be a lot easier for them.
Socialise Your Child
If your child doesn’t spend much time with other children, it is probably a good idea to start socialising them before the big day comes.
Establish A Morning Routine
What time is your child going to have to wake up for daycare? Start establishing this morning routine so that it won’t feel abrupt on the day.
Are you looking for a daycare in West Auckland? Here at Remarkable Kids, we focus on offering a unique learning environment where children are not afraid to be themselves. We also provide nutritious food and community interaction. If you are interested in enrolling your child, feel free to get in touch with us today!