Jumping from home to preschool in Potomac, MD, is a wild ride for both kids and their caregivers! Childcare offers many benefits, but it’s hard to take that leap of faith to hand over the reins to someone else for your little one’s education and care!
As your little one navigates this change, they might throw a little tantrum or two—fear and discomfort can be part of the package! Getting used to a new place and way of doing things while making friends with new caregivers is definitely a process! With the right support and a little prep, you can make your child’s leap into childcare a breeze, which means fewer worries and less anxiety for you!
Ease your kids’ transition from home to a preschool in North Potomac, MD, by taking it slow and relying on the pros for extra support! The worst thing you can do is just dump your kid into a new routine. To make this transition a bit easier, kids need quality attention, ample rest, and plenty of playtime at home. A solid bond with their caregivers can really help kids feel at home!
A lot of growth happens during the first five years of a child’s life. During these five years, children learn skills they will continue to use for the rest of their lives. While most parents would love to stay home with their kids during this time, it’s not always possible.
Many families need both parents to work to pay their bills. That means kids will have to go to daycare. Moving from home to daycare can be hard for both the child and the parents. Here are some of our best tips to help make the transition from home to childcare easier.
Start talking with them about childcare, whether your kid is a baby or in preschool. Check out some books or TV shows that feature kids going to daycare. Make sure to highlight that childcare is fun. Playing school at home is one way to help them get comfortable with the idea.
Pick a day when you and your kid can swing by the center together. This allows your child to meet the caregivers they’ll see every day and spend some time playing with the toys to help them get comfy with the daycare vibe. If you can, try doing a trial run like this a couple of times before starting full-time care.
When your child is at home, grandparents and family friends may be able to care for them without any problems. But when they are somewhere new, they may not feel as safe. To help your child become more independent, let them spend a few short visits with caregivers who are not your parents.
Make sure you give yourself twenty to thirty minutes more than you think you need the first few times you drop your child off at preschool in Potomac, MD. During the changeover, it might be hard for you and your child to be apart until you get used to your new pattern. This is actually normal. If it makes you feel better, you can also talk to the caregivers about what happens after drop-off. Most of the time, kids happily play within a few minutes of their parents leaving.
Try not to give up if your best mom friend’s method doesn’t work for you. Some kids will get used to their new pattern immediately, while others may need more time. It is very important to remember that every child is different, and we shouldn’t expect them to act the same on big days like the first day of daycare.
Make a list of fun things you can do with your kids when you have extra time after childcare hours. Your kid can then share these fun times with their friends at daycare come Monday morning. You might visit a playground inside or outside or walk around the area. These memories will give your child something to be happy about when they go back and something to look forward to if the first few weeks of going to daycare are hard.
You might be scared or feel guilty about going back to work, or it might be hard for you to leave your child for the day for the first time. All of these feelings are normal and easy to understand. In this case, practicing self-compassion can make all the difference. It’s giving ourselves the same kind, present, and warm love that we give to others.
Little kids don’t know how to handle their feelings yet, so deep down, they “sync up” with their caretaker. This means we should try our best to keep our feelings in check. You don’t have to be perfect, but because your child counts on it, you should be honest about how stressed you are and how your mental health is in general.
When picking your child up from childcare, take the time to put your phone away before you enter the building. Use this time to listen to their day and reconnect with them. As you drive home or go about your evening routine after picking up your child, being fully present will help them remember that the time they spend apart is only short.
Some kids dive right into their new childcare center like it’s a trip to the park, settling in within minutes or hours! Some get all teary-eyed and dramatic, even after being dropped off for several weeks! Some kids might cozy up at first, but once the shiny newness fades, watch out—meltdown city, here they come! Good news! Most kiddos dry their tears pretty quickly after the folks head out, and they usually find their groove in no time.
It’s always hard to go through changes, and leaving your child at a preschool in North Potomac, MD, for the first time is no exception. You can rest easy knowing that many of the people who work at the center have been helping families make changes to babysitting for years and are there to help you through it. It’s okay to feel sad at first. You’ll probably feel better when you see all the new friends and fun things your child does at their new childcare center.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.