Childcare Drop-off Tips
5 ways to make your first drop-off as smooth as possible.
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
Starting childcare is a big step for everyone in the family, and although you’ll settle into a good rhythm soon enough, it’s natural to feel a few first day jitters before that first day actually comes!
You might be worried about how your little one will cope without you, hesitant about the whole ‘going back to work’ thing, or not exactly sure what to pack or where to sign in.
Whatever feelings or thoughts you’ve having, good communication is the best way to get prepared for your child’s first day.
This means communicating with the people who’ll be caring for your kiddo, and explaining things to your under-five as well.
To help you do this, we’ve spoken with Ella Millhouse, Centre Director at Goodstart Early Learning North Lakes – Winn Street in Queensland.
Ella and her team have loads of experience helping families transition to childcare, and to make your first drop-off as smooth as possible, Ella suggests the following:
1. Get to know your centre before your child’s official start date.
One of the best ways to do this is to go along for a couple of stay and plays in tandem with your tyke.
Ella says, “Stay and plays provide opportunities to familiarise yourself with the drop-off process, gather information, and meet the people who’ll be supporting your family on your first day and all the days to follow.”
If you’ve already done your stay and plays, or can’t fit one in before your start date, there may be another time you can visit the centre more fleetingly; and Ella says, “I like to have an open door policy for all families, meaning they can come in at any time, or give us a call to have a general chat or ask specific questions.”
A little swotting will also help you prepare for childcare, and this means reading the parent handbook your centre gives you.
This book contains all the details you’re likely to need ahead of your first drop-off, and it’s a helpful reference even if you’re not totally new to childcare life (for instance, if you’re switching between early learning services).
2. Establish a great morning routine.
To ensure that your first drop-off is as smooth as possible, it’s really helpful to get into a predictable morning routine well ahead of time, with clear instructions and expectations when it comes to getting up, getting ready, and getting out the door!
Ella says, “It can help to have a little check-list in the morning, with tasks like eating breakfast, getting dressed and cleaning teeth. It also helps to talk to your child about what is going to happen, so they are aware of the routine, too, and you might like to kickstart this conversation by reading books about starting childcare.”
To ensure that your first drop-off goes well, it’s also a good idea to practise your childcare commute ahead of time – doing the walk, ride or drive on the day/s you’re enrolled, and allowing for hold-ups, like a slow toddler or bad traffic!
3. Be well-prepared when it comes to your child’s belongings.
Your parent handbook, and centre staff, will be able to tell you exactly what you need to bring to childcare, and being prepared ahead of time definitely helps with that first drop-off, because it removes the stress of last-minute shopping, and gives you peace of mind that your child has everything they need for a great start.
Ella says, “At Goodstart Winn Street, we ask parents to pack a spare set of clothes (or two!), a hat, a water bottle, a comforter if needed, any creams the child needs, and also a spare pair of enclosed shoes.”
Ella says it’s important to label all of your child’s belongings, so that lost items can be easily reunited with them; and involving your child in choosing their childcare gear during the summer holidays, and laying out a specific outfit the night before, is a great way to get them excited about the big transition.
4. Project happy confidence when your child’s first day arrives.
Your child looks to you for guidance and reassurance, so even if you’re feeling a bit unsure, nervous or sad about dropping them at childcare and leaving for the day, it’s important to be a positive role model.
It helps to talk up the whole childcare experience (with details you know your little one will love), and when you arrive at your centre for the first time, try to project an air of confidence and positivity.
Centre staff will be there to give your family a friendly welcome, and Ella says, “At Goodstart Winn Street, we make sure all the Room Educators are aware of the families who are new, and as Centre Director, I always try to be there to greet families and walk them through the steps of signing in, finding their room, storing their belongings, and so on.”
You can take these cues to establish a predictable drop-off routine with your little one, and although you might be tempted to linger for a long time, go away and then come back, or even sneak out when your child’s isn’t looking, it’s much better to say “Goodbye” and go, explaining when you’ll be back and where you’ll collect them.
You can add in a special drop-off ritual, like a kissing hand or super hug, and this article contains some helpful strategies to ease your child’s separation anxiety if it’s hard to say farewell on that first, or subsequent day/s.
And, of course, leaving the centre doesn’t mean you can’t check in later!
Ella says, “I encourage all families to call the centre as many times as they want, and if they want to collect their child early, that is up to them. I do suggest, though, to leave their child in care for the day, so they can become familiar with the new place and people.
“For the first week or two, we also do a ‘Welcome to the Centre’ story on Storypark containing daily updates, to help the parents who are transitioning back into work and wondering what their child is up to and how they’re settling in.”
5. Remember that a smooth pick-up is just as important as a smooth drop-off.
It’s important to collect your under-five at the time and place promised, and when you do your first pick-up, you might find that your child is relieved to see you, super excited to share every detail of their day, or totally pooped!
However they’re tracking, make sure you give your little one a huge hug on arrival, thank your educators for the care and support they’ve provided, collect all your child’s belongings, sign out, and embark on a great night-time routine, with a healthy dinner and child-friendly bedtime included.
We hope you have a smooth first day, and if you’re worried or confused about anything, remember that centre staff are there to help, and they can offer great advice and friendly support to make your childcare transition that bit easier for everyone.
Good luck and here’s to a great start!