Lose 5 pounds a month November 2010 CHALLENGE

I have been doing daycare for more years than I care to admit....ok I worked my way through college at daycare centers...spent 2 years teaching second grade...started at a daycare center as a toddler teacher just till I could get another teaching job, worked there for 10 years, had 2 kids worked 2 years at various centers, had my third child and started a home daycare, that was over 8 years ago...so I have over 2- years experience in early childhood education.

A provider who is doing her job will welcome you to drop in at anytime. She may get a little irritated if you show up at nap-time and ring the doorbell or talk loud but she should not be upset with you for coming to see your child or drop them off. I have had mother's schedule their breaks so they could stop by and nurse they child on their break. Same with phone calls. Just don't expect them to answer the phone...expect them to call back when they have a minute.

I have successfully used the family picture with my own children. Something that will help make them happy. Remember they love you and this new person has not developed any type of trust with your child....that will take time. That provider should be sympathetic to the good-byes. Develop a routine.....one child in my care needs mom to pick him up and hand him to me, then we say good-bye and I set him on the couch to observe the others until he decides what he wants to do, another child while he was transitioning we would stand at the window and watch mom leave and wave and she would roll down her window and wave back.

I do agree that sometimes it is not a good fit. Depends on the provider. I have never had a child leave my care because it was not working, but I work with the parents and develop a relationship with the child. When you pick up your child is she still crying or is she having fun? If she has been crying all day I would start to worry. Also depending on the age of the child talking about the drop-off routine will gradually help them know what is going to happen.

"Tomorrow I am going to take you to Terri's (name of your provider) And I will talk to Terri a few minutes and I will read you your favorite board book. Then I will give you a hug and kiss and then I have to leave and go to work. Then you will play and do fun things with Terri and when I am done with work I will come and pick you up!"

Talk about it every night until it becomes routine.

I know this is hard. When my son started a preschool program (I had mostly toddlers and babies in my care and wanted him to get some time with a group of kids his own age) I had to physically carry him onto the bus while he was screaming " they will never take me alive" and put his seat belt on and walk away. It was gut wrenching but he was always happy and smiling when the bus returned him.

If it is a good provider this should start getting better with time.

I could go on a lot longer on this topic but need to get some other things done.

Have a great weekend!

Terri

I am so excited I am getting spiral perm this afternoon. My hair needs help.

My company comes this evening so not sure how much time I will have in the next week to check-in so

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!