4 Steps to a Smooth Childcare Transition
4 Steps to a Smooth Childcare Transition
I realise that being given the responsibility to undertake the care of your child or children is a privilege, and for me your child’s happiness is of the upmost importance; I want your child to feel well looked after and to allay any anxieties you may have.
Before the child starts
Whatever childcare setting you choose for your child, it is important to allow time for both you and your child to get to know the setting. It may be the first time your child has been away from you, or if they are used to being left with other people, they will be getting used to a different group of children and a new environment.
These new experiences coupled with your own feelings about going back to work, or leaving your child in a new place, can be a stressful time in a family’s life.
The government recognise the importance of a key person with regard to the care of the child and as a point of contact for the parents. “The key person must help ensure that every child’s learning and care is tailored to meet their individual needs. The key person must seek to engage and support parents and/or carers in guiding their child’s development at home. They should also help families engage with more specialist support if appropriate.” (EYFS 2014)
Childminders by their very nature operate a key person approach.
Settling-in period
The Professional Association of Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) recommends that there is a two-to four-week settling-in period, in the run up to the child being left with the childminder so the child becomes accustomed to being left and collected. As parents, you are your child’s expert, and I welcome your input in deciding how gradual you would like this settling-in process to be, enabling you to ultimately be in control of managing this transitional time. N.B. Due to the criteria of registration, settling-in sessions must not adversely affect my adult:child ratios, and all sessions are chargeable during the settling in period.
This settling-in period enables us to meet on a regular basis prior, to when the time comes, you needing to leave your child, and for your child to experience this new and unfamiliar environment with the safety of Mummy, or Daddy, at their side.
The more gradual the introduction to the setting is, the easier it is for all. I always invite parents to bring their child for several visits during the run-up to a placement to familiarise themselves and their child with my setting and the process of leaving the child in my care. I always recommend starting with the child attending with you, and try to ensure the procedure allows me time to get to know your child and his or her preferences, such as the little things that matter most, like a child's special blanket or a feeding routine. Information like this, enables me wherever possible to fit in with what your child needs day by day. Frequently lunch can wait for that child, if the child needs a nap ‘now’. Routines are there to support young children and help them feel secure. This settling-in process, also enables us to begin building the really important working relationship between us that we need to have.
Penny Tassoni, the UK's leading author in childcare and Early Years education and president of PACEY suggests the following steps to settling-in:
Step 1
Day 1: The parent and the child visit, and the visit is kept to about an hour. I play with the child with parent is alongside. After a while, the parent disengages from the activity although is still present.
Day 2: Again the parent and child visit together for about an hour. I play with the child with parent alongside. Then parent moves away slightly to pick something up e.g. magazine. This promotes the child having some independence but still with the knowledge that their parent is close by. I would recommend that again this visit is kept to no more than an hour It is best if these two days take place during the first week.
Step 2
Day 3: The child and I play together, with the parent being alongside at first. But then parent strolls in and out of sight e.g. gets an alternative toy from a basket in the trolley, pops up to the bathroom.
Day 4: The child and I play together and the parent pops out of house to collect an object from the car or pram e.g. a packet of tissues, or a scarf. The parent confidently tells child that they are going to do this and then goes. 1 minute absence.
Step 3
Day 5: Assuming settling in is progressing well I would suggest that the child spends around ten minutes with me on their own without the main carer, e.g., the parent walks up to the post box. At this stage I feel that it is really important that the parent is honest and tells the child they are leaving for a short period but that they will return soon.
Day 6: As day 5, but increase length of time that parent is out of my home, say, 30 minutes to an hour. At the end of the second session this week, assuming that the settling in is progressing well, I would recommend that we plan the visits for the next week.
Step 4
Day 7: If Day 6 went well, I would suggest that today’s visit is unaccompanied, and for a longer period, and that the child stays independently for up to four hours. If possible I like to incorporate a sleep and meal during this period so that the child has experienced these routines away from the main carer.
Day 8: The child attends for a full session or day.
At the end of this week we review progress and agree jointly when the child is ready to start their scheduled sessions.
Obviously this is only a guide, all children are different, and the time it takes children to settle varies greatly. However, the most important thing is that your child feels confident and happy, and that we are ensuring that their first, and arguably most important, step along the education road is a positive one.
I will be able to stay in contact with you during the time your child is left, for a few reassuring words on the phone, or via a text message or photo message (with parental consent,) showing how your child is doing. If your child is distressed and is unable to be settled, I promise that I will contact you. I always encourage parents to feel confident that they can text or telephone me during the day to check how their child is, and I will always report truthfully.
I will create a familiar routine so that your child knows what to expect when they are dropped off at my home-based setting.
Greeting and saying goodbye
During the settling-in period, Penny Tassoni suggests saying goodbye in a calm and brief manner, telling your child when you’ll be back. Many parents feel very teary at this point, but I promise you, it does get easier.
Dr Richard Woolfson, another child psychologist, suggests that on the first day of the placement, a swift, decisive drop-off is easiest for the child, that the parent acts calmly, hands him or her over to the carer and then leaves after an affectionate, quick hug and kiss. Dr Woolfson says, 'If you dally about you can make it worse. What does a three-old think when he, or she, sees their mum crying on the doorstep? It fills the child with anxiety and dread. A child just doesn't need a daily drama. Parents should see it as a bonus if a child settles in quickly,' he adds. 'It shows they have a child they have made confident enough to cope with the world.'
If a baby or child becomes upset as the parent leaves, I always suggest to the parents who use my setting, to go and, if they want, to stay outside the door (within hearing but out of eyeshot,) for a few minutes to hear the baby settle. I always promise parents that if a child fails to settle and becomes distressed I will contact them ~ and I have only ever needed to do this twice in over 25 years. I will always tell you what your child has been doing and take photographs, (with parental consent,) so that you can see what your child has been doing, and can see how they have settled in.
The children have their own journals listing what they have done that day, for example, meals eaten, activities, and how much he or she slept. When they are able, creative work also goes home enabling you to see what they have been up to. These journals also enable me to see how your child has settled on returning home after being left with me for the first few times.
Your child might like to keep a favourite toy or cuddly with them to begin with as a transitional object.
I do understand that all parents will experience mixed emotions, perhaps over a period of time. I never judge parents on appearances, and am incredibly aware that parents who might seem cool and distant may well be putting on a brave face to cover how upset they really are.
Before the child starts
Whatever childcare setting you choose for your child, it is important to allow time for both you and your child to get to know the setting. It may be the first time your child has been away from you, or if they are used to being left with other people, they will be getting used to a different group of children and a new environment.
These new experiences coupled with your own feelings about going back to work, or leaving your child in a new place, can be a stressful time in a family’s life.
The government recognise the importance of a key person with regard to the care of the child and as a point of contact for the parents. “The key person must help ensure that every child’s learning and care is tailored to meet their individual needs. The key person must seek to engage and support parents and/or carers in guiding their child’s development at home. They should also help families engage with more specialist support if appropriate.” (EYFS 2014)
Childminders by their very nature operate a key person approach.
Settling-in period
The Professional Association of Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) recommends that there is a two-to four-week settling-in period, in the run up to the child being left with the childminder so the child becomes accustomed to being left and collected. As parents, you are your child’s expert, and I welcome your input in deciding how gradual you would like this settling-in process to be, enabling you to ultimately be in control of managing this transitional time. N.B. Due to the criteria of registration, settling-in sessions must not adversely affect my adult:child ratios, and all sessions are chargeable during the settling in period.
This settling-in period enables us to meet on a regular basis prior, to when the time comes, you needing to leave your child, and for your child to experience this new and unfamiliar environment with the safety of Mummy, or Daddy, at their side.
The more gradual the introduction to the setting is, the easier it is for all. I always invite parents to bring their child for several visits during the run-up to a placement to familiarise themselves and their child with my setting and the process of leaving the child in my care. I always recommend starting with the child attending with you, and try to ensure the procedure allows me time to get to know your child and his or her preferences, such as the little things that matter most, like a child's special blanket or a feeding routine. Information like this, enables me wherever possible to fit in with what your child needs day by day. Frequently lunch can wait for that child, if the child needs a nap ‘now’. Routines are there to support young children and help them feel secure. This settling-in process, also enables us to begin building the really important working relationship between us that we need to have.
Penny Tassoni, the UK's leading author in childcare and Early Years education and president of PACEY suggests the following steps to settling-in:
Step 1
Day 1: The parent and the child visit, and the visit is kept to about an hour. I play with the child with parent is alongside. After a while, the parent disengages from the activity although is still present.
Day 2: Again the parent and child visit together for about an hour. I play with the child with parent alongside. Then parent moves away slightly to pick something up e.g. magazine. This promotes the child having some independence but still with the knowledge that their parent is close by. I would recommend that again this visit is kept to no more than an hour It is best if these two days take place during the first week.
Step 2
Day 3: The child and I play together, with the parent being alongside at first. But then parent strolls in and out of sight e.g. gets an alternative toy from a basket in the trolley, pops up to the bathroom.
Day 4: The child and I play together and the parent pops out of house to collect an object from the car or pram e.g. a packet of tissues, or a scarf. The parent confidently tells child that they are going to do this and then goes. 1 minute absence.
Step 3
Day 5: Assuming settling in is progressing well I would suggest that the child spends around ten minutes with me on their own without the main carer, e.g., the parent walks up to the post box. At this stage I feel that it is really important that the parent is honest and tells the child they are leaving for a short period but that they will return soon.
Day 6: As day 5, but increase length of time that parent is out of my home, say, 30 minutes to an hour. At the end of the second session this week, assuming that the settling in is progressing well, I would recommend that we plan the visits for the next week.
Step 4
Day 7: If Day 6 went well, I would suggest that today’s visit is unaccompanied, and for a longer period, and that the child stays independently for up to four hours. If possible I like to incorporate a sleep and meal during this period so that the child has experienced these routines away from the main carer.
Day 8: The child attends for a full session or day.
At the end of this week we review progress and agree jointly when the child is ready to start their scheduled sessions.
Obviously this is only a guide, all children are different, and the time it takes children to settle varies greatly. However, the most important thing is that your child feels confident and happy, and that we are ensuring that their first, and arguably most important, step along the education road is a positive one.
I will be able to stay in contact with you during the time your child is left, for a few reassuring words on the phone, or via a text message or photo message (with parental consent,) showing how your child is doing. If your child is distressed and is unable to be settled, I promise that I will contact you. I always encourage parents to feel confident that they can text or telephone me during the day to check how their child is, and I will always report truthfully.
I will create a familiar routine so that your child knows what to expect when they are dropped off at my home-based setting.
Greeting and saying goodbye
During the settling-in period, Penny Tassoni suggests saying goodbye in a calm and brief manner, telling your child when you’ll be back. Many parents feel very teary at this point, but I promise you, it does get easier.
Dr Richard Woolfson, another child psychologist, suggests that on the first day of the placement, a swift, decisive drop-off is easiest for the child, that the parent acts calmly, hands him or her over to the carer and then leaves after an affectionate, quick hug and kiss. Dr Woolfson says, 'If you dally about you can make it worse. What does a three-old think when he, or she, sees their mum crying on the doorstep? It fills the child with anxiety and dread. A child just doesn't need a daily drama. Parents should see it as a bonus if a child settles in quickly,' he adds. 'It shows they have a child they have made confident enough to cope with the world.'
If a baby or child becomes upset as the parent leaves, I always suggest to the parents who use my setting, to go and, if they want, to stay outside the door (within hearing but out of eyeshot,) for a few minutes to hear the baby settle. I always promise parents that if a child fails to settle and becomes distressed I will contact them ~ and I have only ever needed to do this twice in over 25 years. I will always tell you what your child has been doing and take photographs, (with parental consent,) so that you can see what your child has been doing, and can see how they have settled in.
The children have their own journals listing what they have done that day, for example, meals eaten, activities, and how much he or she slept. When they are able, creative work also goes home enabling you to see what they have been up to. These journals also enable me to see how your child has settled on returning home after being left with me for the first few times.
Your child might like to keep a favourite toy or cuddly with them to begin with as a transitional object.
I do understand that all parents will experience mixed emotions, perhaps over a period of time. I never judge parents on appearances, and am incredibly aware that parents who might seem cool and distant may well be putting on a brave face to cover how upset they really are.
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