The transition from staying home to entering a full time daycare can be a difficult one for many children. The transition between home and this type of environment will go much more smoothly if the child is trusted to a high quality place of care. Because of the nurturing environment they can offer, many families look to their immediate loved ones or acquaintances for possible providers. As this is not always an option, many resources are available for selecting a caregiver.



A child's daycare is often determined through the recommendations of any acquaintances with children. This way experiences can be relayed, either good or bad, and eccentricities discussed. Each child and provider comes with their own foibles and quirks, so not everyone is going to give the same review to each caretaker - it is the provider that earns the harshest or most frequent negative criticism that should steer a parent away.

Presuming word of mouth does not pan out why not try obtaining a list of daycare providers from your Department of Social Services. Part of a pediatrician's job is to listen to the daily welfare concerns of their patients, and for that reason, many pediatricians will be able to give you good recommendations. It also doesn't hurt to look through classifieds, both in your newspaper and in your classified section of your paper.] The next step is to inspect the provider's premises, and take your child with you as you go. This helps ease the eventual sense of trauma that the child will feel entering the provider's care because it gives a sense of familiarity.

Favorite toys, blankets, stuffed animals, clothing, or similar items of a comforting nature should accompany the child to daycare if it does not break any rules to do so. This should help ease the sense of homesickness that many children feel during the first few weeks. Sometimes parents can either improve the situation, or make matters worse by providing the child a picture of themselves to keep with them. If you can stay with the child for a while in the mornings, that is a great way to make him or her feel safe and secure in their new surroundings. Children are also comforted by the knowledge that you will be back at a certain time, so if you can make and keep such a vow to them, you should. The key to this method is the extra bit of security that it provides the child in knowing when you will arrive back to take him or her home from daycare.

The biggest key to make their transition a good one is to be positive when you leave. Children are sensitive and will instantly recognize if you are upset at leaving them, and this will send a message that all is not well with this new situation. Statistically, your child will probably cry and probably be greatly relieved to see you, but they will also stop crying about fifteen minutes after you leave. Resist the urge to coddle the child as you leave, and simply say good-bye before you go - make up for your brevity when you return.