Part three: Settling in
Although many children settle happily into a new environment, being away from you and other family can be a difficult time for some children. Having to deal with people they don’t know and a group of other children can be frightening. There are a number of things you can do to help your child settle into an early childhood education service.
Make a good start
If you are planning to leave your child in a service, talk with the teachers about how you can work together to best support your child. They can help you plan some steps for settling in.
Children usually settle better if you visit the service several times before you leave them for the first time. This will also help you see how teachers relate to your child and other children, what the routines are and how the programme works. When you think your child is ready to stay on their own, begin by leaving them for only a short time for the first few days. If you can, come back early until your child is settled.
Always tell your child when you are leaving and that you are coming back later, even if it seems more difficult to do this at first. Once you say goodbye you should then leave – staying around to check if they are happy could confuse them. If you leave without saying goodbye your child could become very upset once they discover you have gone. This makes it harder for them to feel secure and settled in the long term.
When you leave this is likely to be a difficult moment for your child but the teacher looking after them will reassure them.
You can ring the service a little later to check if your child has settled.
Be regular in the times you arrive and go home. Your child will feel more secure. Taking a favourite rug or toy along in those early days may also help.
Health
You can tell the teachers about your ideas on health and nutrition for your child. You can also ask them for advice.If your child has any special needs, take time to talk about these with the teachers so that you – and they – are happy your child will receive what they need.
Culture
The staff may not be familiar with your religious or cultural traditions and beliefs. Talking to them about this will help them understand your values and views so they can develop activities to suit your child. They may even celebrate an event from one of your traditions so all children attending the service can take part in and learn from the experience.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with anything happening at the service, check with the service for a complaints process. In a licensed centre this should be displayed on a noticeboard beside the licence. You can also contact the Ministry of Education.
Being involved
You may not have much spare time but, if you can, spend even a few minutes at the service regularly, joining in and just having fun. You will be enjoying and sharing in an important part of your child’s life.