Stepping into daycare can either be chaotic or smooth-sailing, but at Cornerstone Academy, we try to make this a simple and easy process for everyone involved! In order to keep this a smooth-sailing system, we asked some of our teachers to define the top four things they want parents to know. We have your child’s best interest in mind but overall, want to make the daycare experience an easy transition for both our teachers, your child, and you.
Dropoff
It’s normal for your child to cry periodically during the day and at drop-off. Children go through phases of separation anxiety and it is usually expressed through emotion. It’s also normal for your child to cry when you pick them up. This does not mean that they’re not happy to see you, but can happen because they are not wanting to transition; an example being not wanting to leave the art activity that they were enjoying.
It’s helpful for your child and teachers if the drop-off is relatively quick. The sooner the child realizes that they’re now spending the day with individuals other than their parents, the easier it will be for them to accept that. Most children thrive on predictability so keeping things consistent is beneficial for them.
One thing to remember is to not feel embarrassed or apologize for crying as you leave your child on his first day. It’s very common, and over the years, we’ve seen many mothers and fathers express their emotions. It shows that you are human and that you love your child!
Communication
Communication is key and something our team values at Cornerstone Academy. Please do not ever feel like you cannot approach our teachers with concerns, comments, or suggestions. You can contact us anytime about any concerns you may have.
New parents may feel insecure about stating what they’d like for their child, but remember that you know your child best.
Over the years, we’ve had parents enter the classroom while all eight babies were screaming and say “I don’t know how you do it.” While it is true that it can be stressful at times, a teacher at our center, Carrie Coolidge says, “I do it because I feel that I’m making a difference. It gives me a purpose and I truly love children.”
Accidents happen
Trust us, we try to avoid accidents as best we can, but at the end of the day, kids will be kids, and bumps and bruises are going to happen. When something does occur, we try to be as detailed as possible when filling out reports so you can know exactly what happened and if any additional steps are going to be needed.
If you have any concerns, always let us know and we will try and answer any additional questions you might have.
Attire
We love it when kids come in with pretty bows and cute shirts, but most of the time, those items aren’t the best outfits for daycare. Many of the activities we do can be messy or very active which means those items might get dirty or may limit movement.
Take that into consideration when you dress your child each morning. We want them to have a blast while they are here and not be restricted in any way by what they might have on that day!
There are many things we want parents to know about their time at daycare, but these are just a few of the most valuable ones. Just know our teachers and staff want the best for your child and their development. If you ever have any questions, concerns, suggestions, or feedback, our team would be happy to hear from you!
