| The first day of school is never easy especially for | | | | to the child. The schedule should reflect time for |
| young preschoolers. It is a period of adjustment for | | | | waking up, dropping off and picking up from the centre |
| both parent and child. At this time, the parent is | | | | and bedtime.o Have a reliable communication with the |
| responsible for making it easier for the child to adjust in | | | | childcare provider to share the child's daily activities.o |
| the new environment and accept the new situation of | | | | On the actual first day, it is important for the parent to |
| his or her daily life. | | | | be with the child during the first few hours. In some |
| Here are some childcare tips on how a parent can | | | | cases, a child prefers that his or her parent stays until |
| help his or her child adjust on the first day.o Choose | | | | the session is finished. Let the child know the time for |
| the childcare centre that caters to children's needs and | | | | the parent to leave. It is not recommended that a |
| will help develop their intellectual, physical and emotional | | | | parent leave once he or she feels that the child is |
| abilities. Visit the centre and observe classes to know | | | | enjoying the class. This would result to distrust and the |
| how educators or childcare providers handle children.o | | | | child would be more anxious to go to the centre on the |
| Explain the situation. A child needs to understand that | | | | next days.o Never forced a child to immediately bond |
| the childcare centre is for his or her benefit.o It is | | | | with classmates or teacher. Be prepared for situations |
| significant that trust is built between the parent and the | | | | when the child just sit and watch. This is the child's |
| child. The child must understand and feel that his or her | | | | way of observing his or her surroundings.o Be punctual |
| parents are not choosing childcare to abandon him or | | | | on pickup time. A child would appreciate more if he or |
| her but rather to create an environment for new | | | | she sees his or parents once he or she goes out of |
| learning.o Be enthusiastic when talking about the | | | | the classroom. Punctuality provides security for the |
| childcare centre. Children are most happy when they | | | | child. Take the extra time to talk to the childcare |
| have playmates. But for some, they fear a large | | | | provider or teacher.o On the way home, ask about his |
| environment. The parent must know what his or her | | | | or her first day. It is important for a child to know that |
| child prefers. This would also help the parent choose | | | | his or her parent is interested on how the day goes.o |
| the right childcare centre.o Arrange a visit to the | | | | Praise the child for a successful and happy first day. |
| childcare centre days before the first day. Show the | | | | Praise feeds the emotional needs of children. This |
| child his or her classroom. A parent may also introduce | | | | would let the child know that he or she has done well |
| the child to the teacher or some classmates to | | | | and taken the first steps to being responsible. |
| establish a bond.o Prepare a daily routine and explain it | | | | |