Preparation for the First Day - Part 2

Now, let's get into some of the really important tasks that you should think of when preparing for the first day.

Talk with your child about all the fun things that he'll do at daycare. There might be field trips, there will most definitely be toys, and he'll make lots of new friends. Let him/her bring something special from home, like their comforter. Over time the need for these transition objects will diminish.

Be Reliable, make sure that he/she knows when you'll be back to get him, and don't be late. Better yet, be early! Telling your child when you will be back in terms that they can understand may help alleviate their fears. Telling them you’ll be back after lunch or naptime gives them a familiar event to go by .

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Develop a Good Bye Ritual, during stressful times most children thrive on rituals as they find them reassuring. So plan a special way to say goodbye. Some parents try to sneak out when their child is not watching, to avoid any tears. Don't do this! Your child needs to know that they can trust you, and sneaking out does not foster a sense of trust. Say goodbye, give a hug and kiss, and head out. If your child is crying, it's pretty much guaranteed that he'll stop before you get to the end of the street.

When it’s time to leave your child for the first few days, make the visits shorter. Don’t leave them all day. Having shorter visits will provide time to adjust and allow them to learn by experience that you will return. Remember to have a calm and positive attitude. Babies and toddlers are especially sensitive to your moods and are quick to pick up any tension in your voice, face, touch or mannerisms

Preparation for the First Day - Part 1

So you have been through the process of Choosing a Preschool or Choosing a Daycare, however for a child entering childcare for the first time the transition can be tough. For a parent, it is equally difficult, if not more so. You are entrusting your child's safety and well-being to someone whom you may have just met, and it's perfectly normal to be nervous, scared, and sad. It's also important at this time to go back and review your reasons for seeking childcare in the first place. Focusing on the big picture will help you transition easier.

Preparation for the First Day is often the key to a smooth transition, so once you've made your decision and confirmed enrollment with the provider, start introducing your child to the change as soon as possible with multiple visits to meet his/her teacher(s) as this will make the surroundings more familiar.

So why not stop by for a few visits, and play for a while with your child. Include your child in a brief conversion or play activity with you and the new teacher as this will illustrate to your child that there is a friendly relationship with the teachers and will help in developing a relationship of trust with the new teachers.

2nd Child Blues

Wow, how time flies when you have your hands full with children. And now it's time for the 2nd little one to go to Preschool or Daycare.
Some Parents find this easy, as they have done it before, but with others they are starting to feel apprehensive about another of their little babies leaving the nest. I know I did.

When it is time remember the steps you followed with the first child, this time around you don't have to look for the centre (hopefully you are comfortable with the one you selected)... but what I can't stress enough is that you spend time preparing for the transition of your child into Care.
They might already be familiar with the Carers and the Facility but you still need to prepare them.

Over the next few weeks I am going to concentrate on the Dreaded First Day, I will explain some techniques that can be used to help with transition that you should be able to use with your own children.

How Do I Approach a Preschool, Daycare or Kindergarten

So you've got your list of potential caregivers, and you're ready to start asking questions. The trouble is, you're not sure where to begin!

After all your goal is to Choose a Preschool that is right for you and your child, so a good place to start is with a quick introductory phone call to each provider on your list. From this intial contact you can often determine a lot that will help you decide which ones to cross of the list and which ones are worth pursuing further.

For the introductory phone call, it's best to keep it short, so as not to take up a lot of the provider's valuable time. You need information, but you should be respectful. You're just looking for a quick screening at this point. Ask if it is a good time to talk, if it's not good time - like they are busy, find out when a good time to call back would be

Some intital questions to ask when on you're on your introductory call.
• Is this a good time to talk? If not, when can I call you?
• What are your business hours?
• Where are you located?
• What are your rates?
• What ages do you care for?
• Do you have availability for my child? If not, how long is your waiting list?
• How many children do you care for at one time?
• What are your qualifications?
• How many providers do you have on your staff?
• How long have you been in business?
• Do you have your own children?
• Are you certified/registered/licensed?

Taking the first steps Choosing a Preschool can be involved, to find out more head over to my website http://www.rightchoicechildcare.com/

Traditional Childcare Explained - Part 2

Well, what a week it has been so far! My Daughter is ill and as you probably can relate. Things are crazy at the moment.
But as I promised last week, here is some information to get you started on the Traditional Types of Childcare available.

Private in-home caregivers
If you're looking for individualized care, you may wish to look for someone to provide childcare in your home, such as a Nanny. Nannies can be hired on a full-time or part-time basis, and would be hired by you as a private contractor. Some full-time nannies may even be willing to live in your home if you wish, and housing can be arranged as a component of their salary package.

Family Childcare
This type of program is run in a provider's home, for a small group of children and a limited number of families. Depending on the number of children cared for, the program may need to be registered with the state. Family Childcare Programs must meet state regulations for things such as safety, quality care, and enrollment limits. Family childcare settings are ideal for children who prefer a home-like environment, with a small group of children and one primary provider. Hours and payment terms may be more flexible with this option, but all programs will have their own policies.

Center-Based Childcare
A center-based program typically serves a larger group of children than a home-based program. Most centers will offer full-day programs and some may offer morning or afternoon programs as well. Childcare Centers employ a staff of professional caregivers, many of whom will hold certifications in early childhood education. Centers are usually licensed and regulated by the state that they operate in, and subject to random inspections. This type of program should have written policies, procedures, and contracts for you to review and will often have different age groups of children in the program.

Preschool
Preschool settings are designated for children age 3-5. A preschool will have a structured curriculum that is designed to prepare children for kindergarten, prepared by a certified teacher. Preschool Teachers create monthly lesson plans broken down by week/day, with planned activities relating to those lessons (units). Seasons, weather, animals, colors, numbers, plants, and space are some examples of common subjects that you might expect your child to learn about in a lesson unit. There should be a focus on school readiness, which will include not only classroom learning, but also personal care improvement, such as toileting, dressing, and hand washing. It is assumed that when a child graduates from Preschool he/she has the necessary tools to smoothly transition to kindergarten.

Religious-Based Programs
Religious-based programs can be either strictly care-based or preschool-based, and are often located in an area in a church or temple. They will typically focus on a curriculum that supports their religious affiliation. You'll find programs for all ages – from infants to preschoolers, to kindergarten, and beyond. It should be noted that a childcare program located in a church building may not necessarily be affiliated with that church. Spaces can be leased, without religious affiliation. It's best to clarify with the program director what exactly the function is.

Traditional Types of Childcare - Explained

Choosing the Right Childcare, Daycare, Pre School or Kindergarten is a challenge all parents face, so to help you with this task I will elaborate on some of the many different types of childcare available today, ranging from private nannies to large childcare centers. Some have a strong formal educational component and some are less formal in their education policies. What your needs are will be ultimately up to you and a personnel preference.

Stay tunned for some more for explanations of the more common options, and some non-conventional options, which will help you Find the Right Childcare Facility for your children.

But if you just can't wait and need to know now.... please checkout my website for all the Inside Secrets on "Choosing the Right Daycare, Preschool or Kindergarten" for your child. Right Here!

Need Help Finding a Daycare

The decision to hire someone to care for your child can be difficult, if you want someone you can trust, and someone your child will be safe with. Before you actually go out and look for a childcare provider, you'll want to ask yourself some important questions. If you take the time to really think about your answers, you'll have laid the groundwork for finding the Right Daycare, Pre School or Kindergarten for your child, and you'll thank yourself later.

• Determine the reasons why you are looking for childcare. Do you need someone to care for your child while you’re at work, is childcare filling a social need for your child, or do you just need some time to yourself? Whatever the reasons, it's important to determine that up front, so you can target the right kind of care.
• What kind of atmosphere is right for your child? Consider your child's personality and needs. Does your child like small, intimate settings or larger environments with more activity? Does he/she have special needs that will require more one-on-one attention?
• Take a look at your schedule. What types of hours are you looking to fill? Are you looking for full-time care? This is known as Long-Day Care, or just a few days or hours each week? It's important to find a program that can work around your schedule to avoid frustrations.
• How far are you willing to travel? Are you looking for something close to home, close to work, or will you commute farther for that perfect caregiver? What if you can’t find that perfect Centre in your Area, but you have found one that is some distance from your home? This should be considered.
• What do you think a typical day should look like? Are you looking for a program with a structured curriculum, like a preschool, or something with a more casual, unscheduled routine? How old is your child? 3-5 yrs would mean that you could be looking for a Pre School.
• What are your goals for your child in regard to childcare? Do you want your child to become more social, to learn to read, or simply to be in a secure, fun environment while you're at work? Again, the age of your child could have a bearing on the type of Facility you would enroll your child in.
• What is your budget? Sit down and decide what you can afford before you even start looking at programs. Many families find out that with the high cost of good childcare, it sometimes makes more sense financially for one parent to stay home with the child and work part-time. Some states may provide financial rebates if your child is enrolled in a Childcare Facility. You would be best served to contact the Local State Governments for any details on these possibilities.

Once you've organized your initial thoughts, goals, and priorities, you're better prepared to start looking, and to ask the tough questions at the interview.

For More Expert Advise on this Topic... Please Check out www.rightchoicechildcare.com