The first day at childcare marks a special moment for you and your child. As parents, we often feel guilty when the time comes to send our children to childcare: we have to start work again, we want them to make friends, or we are preparing them to be ready for school. While most children settle in well, some will find the experience rather challenging and may need some time to adjust. The first day can be even be more nerve-wracking for parents than we care to admit. At Growth Mindset Early Learning, we want both you and your child to be completely at ease, so we have put together a list of helpful tips to make the transition as smooth as possible:

1. SCHEDULE A VISIT – Visiting the centre before their first day allows them to become familiar with the childcare facilities, the friendly educators and the activities they will soon take part in. This can help your child adjust to their new environment and contribute to the way they settle in. Contact our centre to book a tour.
2. PACK EVERYTHING THE NIGHT BEFORE – Pack everything the night before so you are not as stressed that very first morning. Our educators during your child’s orientation will provide you with a checklist of what to bring, but we encourage involving your child in the process of packing their bag to help them feel more comfortable with their first day of childcare. Another useful tip would be to get your child to pack a familiar item, something they love, which will help to give them a sense of familiarity with their new environment.
3. SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS – As parents, we all want the first day to be as smooth as possible, but the likelihood of that is pretty slim. It is completely normal for both you and your child to be feeling anxious about the process. Be sure to have as many conversations with your child as possible about childcare beforehand to prepare them for the transition and remember that it may take a few days for them to settle in. Be realistic with your child and validate their feelings of nerves because this will help them to become more comfortable.