How Family Day Care can help your child settle into care

Starting childcare is a big step for both you and your child. Whether it’s your child’s first time or they are transitioning into a new environment, there is a period of adjustment. As a flexible home-based early education and care option, Family Day Care eases some of the challenges.

Building familiarity 

Change can be overwhelming especially for a child. To support a smooth transition and a positive outcome, talk to your child about what they can expect. You could use role playing, story books and photos to help your child familiarise with what comes next.

When it comes to building familiarity, Family Day Care offers benefits to help build familiarity.

• A meet and greet: before enrolling your child, meeting the educator in their home environment with your child, gives the educator the opportunity to learn your child’s specific interests and even arrange activities accordingly. Anything from playing dress up to space week can find its way to an educator's program plan to support each child's individual interest.
  
  Family Day Care educator Chris Mouser finds that a meet and greet is an essential first step for both families and the educator.

"Transitions are hard and I run through my program plan so that parents know my approach. It’s important to have everyone on the same page right from the start,” she says.

• The right environment: ensuring the home-based family day care provides an environment that best suits your child’s needs can help with the transition. Some family day cares have greater access to outdoor activities that your child may find more engaging or understand the need to include culturally sensitive and inclusive practices to encourage a sense of belonging. 

• Small group setting: due to the limit of seven children at a time with a maximum of four preschool children, Family Day Care supports one-on-one interactions. Individual attention in a more supportive setting can help your child feel more at home. Your Family Day Care educator can support you in helping your child adjust and address any individual support needs early on. Educators have the space to understand each child’s preferences and observe any changes in behaviour. The small group setting also allows children to feel heard and easily bond with the educator and other children.

"We are like a small family. If I notice a difference in their behaviours, I can let their parents know," says Family Day Care educator Jo Pierce, who has formed a strong rapport with the children in her care.

Developing a regular routine for your child

It’s important to develop a routine so that your child knows what to expect. You can use a special goodbye or a hello hug with your child. Using these simple approaches might be helpful in supporting your child.

It can be helpful to limit drawn out interactions or sneaking away as it may cause confusion and anxiety. Ensure you also maintain routine in other aspects of your child’s life like keeping to the same mealtimes and bedtimes.

The flexibility Family Day Care offers has benefits for both parents and children in developing routine and familiarity. You can choose a Family Day Care educator who is able to accommodate the duration and times that best suits your needs and help your child ease into care. Family Day Care also allows you to place siblings together unlike long day care, which can greatly add to a sense of familiarity. 

Keeping your child relaxed

Children can often sense when you are anxious and feel unsettled themselves. It may be easier said than done but aim to project a calm and positive outlook particularly at drop off and pick up times.

A Family Day Care educator can support you during busy and rushed mornings by giving your child a quiet start to the day. As Family Day Care is run from the home of the educator, your child often enters a calm environment with a small group of children.

At Aimee Keay's Family Day Care, children feel very much at home. 

"One family has told me that their child feels it’s like going to an auntie's or friend's house," says Aimee. 

A Family Day Care educator can also easily recognise how to support your child’s transition into care. For instance, if your child has an unsettled morning, letting them carry their favourite toy or familiar item may also help them settle into care.

Looking for a flexible and personalised early education and care option for your child? Visit here or call the Windermere Family Day Care team on 1300 946 337.