Transitioning from caring for your child all day to going back to work is stressful for any parent. While it is easier for older children compared with toddlers or infants, such transitions must be managed carefully to ensure that the child gets a care-giver that will be there for the long haul. In the sensitive childhood years, it's important that your child forms a long relationship and emotional attachment to the adult you'll leave them with. This article considers three important aspects of this transition:
Choosing care options
These rules should apply whether you're hiring a nanny, family day-care, au-pair, in-home care, babysitting or long-day care:
Allow the caregiver(s) to interact with your child to find out whether their temperaments and needs can be handled effectively. You should never decide a potential care arrangement without observing this interaction for a while (some care options have a grave period before contracts are signed for this reason).
The best options have small child to caregiver ratios. The number should be even smaller depending on the age of the children (1:4 for pre-school and younger; 1:7 for school-going to preteen).
Allow your caregiver to interview you, as they too have a part to play in developing a strong, continuous and good relationship with the child.
Ideally, caregivers should be trained in first aid, health and safety and child development, including CPR.
That said, there are advantages and disadvantages to every care option, and what suits best should consider your child's needs in your absence above everything else.
Before you're due for work
Start looking for a day care centre weeks before your first reporting day. This will give you time to make alternative arrangements in case your first option fails. Expect that your child will be anxious in the first few days with a new caregiver or in a new environment. If they're old enough, talk to them about the new care arrangement including who will care for them and what they'll be doing. Focus on the positive things like new toys and fun activities.
Before D-day, allow your child to spend short periods of time in the facility. Start with a tour of the place, spend time with them there and then start leaving them for an hour or two until they're comfortable. Answer all their questions/concerns truthfully and reassuringly, even the ones that seem silly to you.
Once you go back to work
On the first day, arrive early to ensure the child settles into an activity before leaving them. This will make the parting easier for you both. Carry along a favourite toy or love/security object, which makes adjustment to the strange environment easier.
Be conscious of your own body language; if you look unsure or anxious your child won't feel settled either. Do not try to sneak out as this can make separation anxiety even stronger for the child once you come back. Let them get accustomed to seeing you go and return, eventually they'll be comfortable with your departure.
Share11 December 2017
I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting resources to liven up my childcare education program. These days, it's important that children are always learning at childcare, but it's equally important that children have fun. I like to find topics that match up with the topics that my kids are passionate about. If they are obsessed with trains, then I'm going to make sure we do a whole program on trains to keep them engaged and interested. If you are also a childcare educator or teacher who is looking for new resources for education programs, then please keep reading.
