Preparing Your Kids for Accepting a Childcare Provider

Whether you have a child who has never been left alone, or a teen with attitude, introducing children to caregivers can be an extremely daunting task for the children, the caregiver, and the parent. This blog post discusses how to prepare your child for the imminent change.

1. Talk about it

You can make it easier for your little ones by talking to them about the caregiver and your plans. Do not suddenly spring a childcare provider on them. When the children know about the transition ahead of time, they will get used to the idea.

2. Get your kids involved

As mentioned before, it is important that you inform and involve your kids: ask them if they are okay with the caregiver’s coming over to play with them, read to them their favorite books or take them out to the park. You can even help your children choose a welcome gift for the new babysitter, something like a drawing or a card that may get them excited! The more you involve your children in talking about the babysitter, the readier and more comfortable they will feel.

3. Ensure a transition time

Make sure your childcare provider comes in an hour early, before you have to leave. This gives the caregiver and your child some time to interact with each other, and feel comfortable before you leave. This transition period will also give your child the message that you trust the sitter, and the child can trust as well the new comer and feel safe.

4. Maintain the routine

Make sure that the children remain on their schedule; it is extremely important. Provide your sitter with a checklist that includes the routine of the child. Request the childcare provider to stick to the list. Children do not like change and sticking to their familiar routine will help them feel at ease.

5. Get everything organized

Make sure the childcare provider knows where everything is – your child’s favorite books, toys, snacks, DVDs, etc. It becomes easier for the sitter to stick to the routine if s/he knows where everything is. Also, before leaving the house, make sure the sitter knows how to operate any electronics such as the DVD player and the TV. If your child has been promised their favorite cartoon and the caregiver can’t figure out how to operate the television, there is a real possibility of the child’s getting frustrated and throwing a tantrum.

6. List all emergency contacts

This crucial point is as relevant for your babysitter as it is for your child. Ensure that your little one and the babysitter both know how to reach you in case of an emergency. It is important that you include your email address, postal address, home phone, cell phone, work phone, names of relatives, neighbors, and emergency contacts. Also, you should write down your child’s full name, age, school, dislikes and likes, and health conditions. When your childcare provider is fully prepared for any eventuality, she can do a much better job.

This may look dauntingly too much work, but if you take out time to carry out these essentials, you can make the transition easier for your child and feel relaxed yourself. A few hours and some communication is all it takes to make sure the child is happy and safe with the childcare provider.