return to daycare

How Parents Can Prepare their Child to Return to Daycare

As parents prepare to return to work and as daycare reopens, it is critical that parents prepare their child to return to daycare. With children being away from daycare and routines for months, we know it will be difficult for both parents and children to get back into the routine. We have create some tips to help parents to make the transition as smooth as possible as you get ready to return to daycare.

The week before returning to daycare:

• Talk about your child’s teacher, friends and people they know at school.
• Show pictures of people at the daycare and talk about fun times. You can look at pictures of your child on the HiMama app and any class photos. Ask your child if they remember the names of the people in the pictures.
• Be excited and positive. Try not to show any anxiety or fear about returning to daycare. Even if you may be feeling a little anxious – try to stay positive. Your child will feed off of your emotions.
• Try to use positive language when talking about what you can and can’t do at daycare. For example, instead of saying “don’t touch your friends” , you could say “ We can give air hugs like this“
• Drive by the daycare and stop in front of it. Point out that you will be going back very soon.
• Give them answers to the questions they ask rather then information overload which can make them feel anxious. Sometimes less information is better.
• Show them how to wash their hands well. For 20 seconds and use soap and water.
• Try to follow the daycare schedule routine with wake up time, naps and lunch time.

The day before returning to daycare:

• Tell your child you are excited to go to work and see your own friends (even if you are working from home)
• Pack your backpack with items to bring to daycare.
• Talk about PPE. Show them what a mask looks like and put one on the doll and on yourself. For toddler, play peek-a-boo with the mask.
• Tell them that a teacher will be waiting for them at the door because they are so excited to see them. If possible, let them know that you won’t be going into the classroom.
• Bring in a family photo if you have not already done so (something recent)
• Get a good night’s rest.

First Day Back:

• Keep in close communication with your teacher (messaging)
• Have trust and confidence in your educators – they are there to support you
• IN ALL CASES – Give it some time – you will see that each day will prove to be better.

For more information about what you can expect as daycare re-opens, click here.