After a long break from work to have
your first child, you have successfully made it through the first 2 years, and
with preschool on the horizon, your thoughts can turn to your career. Once you
have managed to source a good day care centre, your child will take another
step towards eventual independence, and as a parent, it is your responsibility
to ensure that your child is in a positive environment for the few hours a day
that they are not in your care. The decision concerning which day care centre
to send your child is not one that should be taken lightly, and once you have
found the right venue, here are some
do’s and don’ts to ensure a smooth transition.
► Do Your Homework – Bearing in mind, this could be a positive
or negative experience for your child, it makes perfect sense to do some
research on the care centre prior to making your decision. You should visit the
day care centre and while there, take note of the general environment, which
should be clean and orderly. Notice the children and whether or not they seem
content, and observe how the carers interact with the kids, as this will give
you a good idea of the general ambience.
► Don’t Leave Too Late – One needs adequate time to visit
potential care facilities, and if there are a few near your home, it makes
sense to carry out the necessary research to ensure the right choice. One month
prior to your return to work, you should already be looking, and with no
pressure on you time wise, you can take your time when choosing. You might, for
example, be looking for day care in Brisbane, and with a simple Google search, all
day care centres will be accessible, and after some browsing, you can make a
list of questions to ask when visiting.
► Do Talk to Other Parents – The best way to evaluate a day care
centre is to talk to the parents whose children attend, and this will give you
a parent’s perspective. Ask questions about regular contact and whether or not
the children seem happy in this environment, and after chatting with a cross
section, you will be better informed and able to make the right decision. If
you think you need some assistance with helping your child to prepare for preschool, here is a useful guide that will
ensure a smooth transition from home to school.
► Don’t Overstay Your Welcome – It might be the first time you have
left your child in the care of someone else, but you must resist the temptation
of hanging around when you arrive in the morning. It isn’t good for you or the
child if you try to blend into the background, as the child will be focusing on
you, rather than on the new environment. There might even be a temper tantrum
at the very outset, but you need to be firm and reassuring at the same time,
and once you are out of sight, things quickly become calm.
When you arrive in the afternoon, take
the time to discuss your child with the care provider, as this will help you
both to focus on the child’s development, and by working together, you can
resolve any behavioral issues.
