Dealing with Childcare Drop-off Issues

Saying goodbye to a little child can be sad, even if it is just for a short while. When it happens the first time, the child might roll on the floor, cry loudly, cling to you tight and express grief in every possible way. That is what you can expect when your child starts daycare. There is no way to avoid the problem completely, but some strategies like the ones listed below can make the process easier for both you and the child.

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v  Pack a favorite toy: A favorite toy is a symbol of comfort and security; it will breathe an air of familiarity to the strange surrounding, which will augment the comfort level. Convince the staff at the daycare of the importance of the toy and ensure that it is not left behind at the time of pick up. Once the child learns to accept daycare as a part of the normal routine, the toy can be dispensed with.

 v  Let your child be well fed and well rested: A well-rested child with a full tummy is indeed a happy child, and that is what you want when starting daycare. Adjust the child’s bedtime suitably to ensure that she gets a good night’s sleep. Serve up a good breakfast sufficient to last long before leaving home. The child should feel full, but not so full that the-shortly-to-follow drop-off unhappiness will make her nauseous.

 v  Project happiness, confidence and positivity: Your moods do affect your child. You should display consistent happiness, confidence and positivity, before and during the drop-off. This will imbibe confidence in the child. 

 v  Use distraction in a positive way: Carry a snack the child can enjoy on arrival at the daycare. Ask a caregiver to play with the child for a few minutes to create a positive impression about the place. A child occupied in an enjoyable activity will feel more positive about the daycare experience.

  v  Do not dawdle at the daycare: You should not hang around to see how happy your child is before you leave. The longer you stay there, the harder the goodbye is for both of you. If you feel insecure, go to your car and ask a caregiver to message you when the child settles down.

  v  Never sneak away: Give your child a big hug and a kiss and tell her that you will be back after work to pick her up. Then leave quickly, even if it means prying the child’s arms away from her firm grip around your neck.

   v  Have a status check up plan: You can call up the daycare at predetermined times to check up on the child’s status. This is for you, not for her. In all probabilities, she will happily be playing with the other children with no thought of home!

Take as long as you need to find the right childcare center for your child – the one where she will feel safe and comfortable. The best way to do this is to rely upon a dedicated childcare portal that will help you contact childcare providers in your area, and then zero in on the one that is right for you and your child.