Toddle Tots Childminding Services
Settling In
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Please call yvette on 01275 790644 or email us for current vacancies.
On arrival at a new place of care, (be it the first time your child has been left or not) it is normal for some young children to cry or get upset especially if they are unsure of there new surroundings, who we are and where their parent or carer is going. Children can sometimes cry or get upset when their parents or carers leave them, try to remember that this is a natural occurrence and the crying will usually stop within a few minutes of the parents leaving.
I like to introduce children gradually if possible through Settling – in Sessions to help this transition run as smoothly as possible for children and their parents! I like to introduce the settling sessions around 4 weeks before the child is due to start. Time allowing I like to ask parents to visit along with their child on at least two separate occasions of approximately one hour in which children can play and have a look around knowing that their parent/carer is close by. After these two sessions if both the parent and I feel confident that the child seems to be dealing with the situation well then I may ask for the child to be left in our care for around 30 minutes, gradually increasing to an hour or two by at which stage they should feel ready to attend alone.
Each child is different so we will work with the child’s needs during this period. This process has always worked well in the past and very rarely do we encounter any further upset once the child has started to attend their contracted hours. There are several things parents and carers can do to encourage a smooth and happy transition for their children from parents to childminder. Separation anxiety is a normal and natural part of growing up.
If children are to feel safe, play and learn successfully, they must feel secure and happy in the absence of their parents. They need to be confident in the knowledge that their parent will return at the end of each day.
In order to achieve these aims our policy is to:
Ask parents to visit; settling in sessions.
Agree with parents how to settle a child into our care.
Ensure that the individual needs of the child and family are met.
Introduce new children to other minded children with sensitivity.
Give each child the adequate time and support needed to settle.
Provide activities that give children a sense of belonging such as photos of them, favourite toys and a special toy from home to comfort them.
Encourage parents to follow the guidance on preventing separation anxiety.
Reassure parents who are anxious about their child by giving them information about their Child’s activities and welfare during the session through a Diary system and telephone calls during the day if needed.
Preventing Separation Anxiety
It is not uncommon for children (or parents) to be upset when being left with a childminder. Sometimes this distress occurs over a period of time, usually with new starters, or sometimes later when the child has settled well with the carer. Some children will settle well and cry later when you thought things were going well. All of this is normal behaviour.
The following procedure should be applied whatever age the child; a baby needs your reassurance as much as an older child with good language skills. There are 4 steps to making this period short lived for all concerned and I ask for the support of parents to follow these steps.
Step 1: Calm Your Own Anxiety
First, deal with your own anxiety. Your child looks to you for clues about how to behave. If you are anxious about leaving them they will sense your anxiety. Before you go, calmly inform your child of the plans you have for your day, make this as boring as possible and be sure to say clearly when you will return. Talk to them about the fun they will have at Toddle-Tots. Maybe encourage them to paint you a painting that you can put up in your office?
Step 2: Commit to Your Exit
Do not prolong the good bye. When it is time to leave, wave goodbye and blow a kiss. Do not stay and try to calm a crying child. Let me do my job. It will be easier to calm your child without you there.
Step 3: Ease Anxiety with Familiar Routines
I will create a familiar routine during your absence. Whether the routine involves singing songs/looking at a book. We will follow the same routine each time you leave so your child gains confidence in the situation.
Step 4: Have a Happy Homecoming
Commit to a happy homecoming. Set aside at least 10 minutes of undivided time with your child after you return home. Even though you may want to get started preparing a meal or returning email or phone messages, put those tasks off in favor of spending uninterrupted time with your child. Use this time to find out what they did during their day.
Please feel free to call me at any time during the day to check on your child even if it is the first thing you do when you get to work.
