Schedule for starting 1YO?

[DCMom]

I have a 2-month window to start/transition a new 1-year-old (will be 1 at the end of the 2-month introduction period).

What works best for you in terms of increasing how many days a week, full vs. part days, time that parent spends at daycare, etc...

Thanks!

[Play and Learn]

Personally, I do not transition, as it takes up too much time. I just put them in cold turkey! I'm not a drop-in center, so parents don't spend any time transitioning with them.

IF you wanted to....I would do a week of just mornings, then the second week of picking up right after afternoon nap. Then 3rd week of full-time. BUT...I'd only do that if that's the only child in care. If there are others already in care, no transition time at all.

Hopefully that makes sense! lol Good luck!

[bright sparks]

Overall I'd have to agree with Play and Learn on this one. I do not allow parents to be in attendance while children settle in as they aren't actually going to be placed out of their comfort zone in order to truly settle in as Mom or Dad will still be there. Also it can be very disruptive to the other children who may miss their parents but have become used to it, resulting in triggering off seperation anxiety in others, or disruptive behaviour.

On a second note, Doing mornings for a few days or a week isn't going to achieve anything for the child IMO and I know this can be disputed but I am of the opinion that if a child is going to nap at my place in the afternoon they wont in fact transition until they are allowed to spend a full day with me and get used to the routine and the change in its entirety. For those parents who are adiment that they will not leave their child without a gradual entry, I suggest starting with fewer full days leading up to full time. I also find that the age group you are talking about is far more adaptable and easier to settle in by just taking them full time from day one.

In all honesty transition I think is more for the parent versus the child unless there are specific issues or the child is older, say 2-2 1/2 yrs + where if they have been at home with 1 on 1 family care they can be a little clingier and not used to the social setting.

Hope this is of some help.

[Momof4]

I've tried for the last 3 children I've transitioned to start them 1 day/week, then 2 days then 3 days, thinking it would be a good way to get them used to daycare. One screamed for 4 months, one for 2 months and the child I'm trainsitioning part-time right now has been screamining for 2 months. I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND!!! I don't think I'll ever allow it again.

I always do interviews after work, but if I have an interview where I think the family will be a good match for my daycare I ask them to come back for a morning playdate before signing the contract. I let the Mom stay for half an hour to an hour the very first day the child starts but I agree that it's best not to have the parents around so the child understands that Mom approves of leaving them at daycare.

[sunnydays]

I ask parents to do just one week of transitioning because it is so hard for them to adjust when they are part-time! The first two days I let parents stay for a bit (an hour on the first day and 20 or 30 minutes on the second) and after that they should be quick and drop-off. We work up to full days by day three or four. I really don't like prolonged transition...just drags it out!

[Inspired by Reggio]

Yup I will likely be the odd man out with my practice ~ I love having more time time to transition children into the program while the parent is still available to come pick up should they be having a really hard time as I personally can not do the all day long crying that many providers talk about it would break me having to listen to that as my 'normal' every time a new child started and while it may be inconvenient to have to have my routine dictated by scheduled playdates during that time which prevents impromptu field trips or outings cause we need to be home to 'visit' I think of it as an investment in later for sure and I know my clients appreciate the experience.

I also have a very open door policy and have no problem if clients want to spend time in the program to build and maintain that trust and ensure that what I am 'saying' goes on in the program is actually what they see as going on and as long as they agree to 'follow the program rules and be consistent with their child while HERE' than they are more than welcome to come .... in today's day in age with all the horror stories in the media and on forums like this one we all know there are 'less than stellar practitioners among us' and while it is required that parents trust us in order for our relationship to work I also know that trust should not just be blind trust based on a 30 minute interview and some reference checks ... I trust of the nature we need is best achieved through seeing evidence of practice so to speak and I know I could never leave my child in a program that did not allow me to spend time 'in' that program in order to feel comfortable and confident in it cause well 'references' of a third party would never be enough for me cause well other peoples standards might be different than mine.

So yes I typically do a couple 'play dates' with the parent present so the parent grows comfortable with me, the other children and how the program runs as I believe children feed off their parent's anxiety and well 'seeing is believing' for most people so alleviating that in the beginning by allowing them to see how the program runs even the chaotic times like lunch and so forth and how I keep them as smooth as possible makes for a smoother transition and much more appreciation from clients on what I do day in and day out. Than I do a couple with the parent ON SITE but not IN the program with them off reading a book in my livingroom or on their laptop or whatever and the child in the program with me alone but if they are 'crying' too long or hard the parent can come back ( we discuss prior how long we are both comfortable with trying before they return) and this IMO helps in reinforcing for the child to trust that parent always returns eventually and therefore they are safe to be here ... and than the week or two weeks depending on amount of time leading up to the parent returning to work I do a gradual progression to a full time so the child comes DAILY but initially for short period at first and growing up to longer days as they are managing well.

Once I adopted this practice it has worked wonders for me ... I do not have to deal with children screaming inconsolably all day for weeks or months ... just the minimal if you miss a cue and they are over hungry or over tired and so forth and than quick to calm once the need is met which usually takes that first week or two of 'weaning in' to alleviate and once they are here full time they are like they have always been here and able to go out and about to playgroups and normal programming with minimal hiccups.

[Crayola kiddies]

I also do a transition time while mom is still off work. Two weeks prior to start date I have the child come just for about two hours in the morning. Then the second time they come in the am and stay for lunch and the next time they stay for nap. Then the second week I have them dropped off at what ever will be the regular drop off time and stay for full days but mom is available just in case. Then we start full time. I have not had a child cry for more then a few days.

[Dreamalittledream]

Geez, I really think it depends on the child. I have had 5 one year olds start, directly into full-time no issues at all. As well, have 1 that started over a month ago...transitioned in gradually. This is his first full week (Mom goes back to work next week). Definitely see baby tips in improvement but he's still screaming most of the day. I honestly don't think any increased amount of transition would have helped him (especially with Mom here).

[Crayola kiddies]

I definately agree Dream ...it depends on the child ..... Sometimes no matter what you do will not make a difference in the world.

[sunnydays]

I sooooo agree with you on the trust factor! It irks me how many times I have seen providers on this forum say that parents must have 100% trust in us...as a parent, I know I never could have 100% trust in someone who is taking care of my baby. Although I don't do as long or intensive transitioning as Reggio...I do have an open door policy and encourage parents to feel free to pick-up early or to stay and chat a bit at the end of the day (as long as they are not the last one). In fact, I installed an intercom system where I let parents in through my garage without having to go and open the door...that way they get to come into the playroom themselves every day and see the environment their child is in every day and it gives them a chance to chat with me a bit as well. I am always amazed that none of the parents takes me up on the dropping in at odd times....I did it with my sons' providers and even if it inconvenient to us providers, I believe it is extremely important for the safety of the children.



Yup I will likely be the odd man out with my practice ~ I love having more time time to transition children into the program while the parent is still available to come pick up should they be having a really hard time as I personally can not do the all day long crying that many providers talk about it would break me having to listen to that as my 'normal' every time a new child started and while it may be inconvenient to have to have my routine dictated by scheduled playdates during that time which prevents impromptu field trips or outings cause we need to be home to 'visit' I think of it as an investment in later for sure and I know my clients appreciate the experience.

I also have a very open door policy and have no problem if clients want to spend time in the program to build and maintain that trust and ensure that what I am 'saying' goes on in the program is actually what they see as going on and as long as they agree to 'follow the program rules and be consistent with their child while HERE' than they are more than welcome to come .... in today's day in age with all the horror stories in the media and on forums like this one we all know there are 'less than stellar practitioners among us' and while it is required that parents trust us in order for our relationship to work I also know that trust should not just be blind trust based on a 30 minute interview and some reference checks ... I trust of the nature we need is best achieved through seeing evidence of practice so to speak and I know I could never leave my child in a program that did not allow me to spend time 'in' that program in order to feel comfortable and confident in it cause well 'references' of a third party would never be enough for me cause well other peoples standards might be different than mine.

So yes I typically do a couple 'play dates' with the parent present so the parent grows comfortable with me, the other children and how the program runs as I believe children feed off their parent's anxiety and well 'seeing is believing' for most people so alleviating that in the beginning by allowing them to see how the program runs even the chaotic times like lunch and so forth and how I keep them as smooth as possible makes for a smoother transition and much more appreciation from clients on what I do day in and day out. Than I do a couple with the parent ON SITE but not IN the program with them off reading a book in my livingroom or on their laptop or whatever and the child in the program with me alone but if they are 'crying' too long or hard the parent can come back ( we discuss prior how long we are both comfortable with trying before they return) and this IMO helps in reinforcing for the child to trust that parent always returns eventually and therefore they are safe to be here ... and than the week or two weeks depending on amount of time leading up to the parent returning to work I do a gradual progression to a full time so the child comes DAILY but initially for short period at first and growing up to longer days as they are managing well.

Once I adopted this practice it has worked wonders for me ... I do not have to deal with children screaming inconsolably all day for weeks or months ... just the minimal if you miss a cue and they are over hungry or over tired and so forth and than quick to calm once the need is met which usually takes that first week or two of 'weaning in' to alleviate and once they are here full time they are like they have always been here and able to go out and about to playgroups and normal programming with minimal hiccups.

[daycare 65]

I have always done a quick transition period WITHOUT mom present.
The week before they start, I have them come on the Monday for a couple of hours.
Then on the Wednesday if possible for a half day including lunch.
On the Friday before they start I ask the Mom to bring them in from about 11 (after we get home from our play time) and pick them up around 3:30.
It doesn't necessarily stop them from crying when they come, but it gives me a chance to know their moods a little better and for them to recognize the other children.

[Mamma_Mia]

I have always done a quick transition period WITHOUT mom present.
The week before they start, I have them come on the Monday for a couple of hours.
Then on the Wednesday if possible for a half day including lunch.
On the Friday before they start I ask the Mom to bring them in from about 11 (after we get home from our play time) and pick them up around 3:30.
It doesn't necessarily stop them from crying when they come, but it gives me a chance to know their moods a little better and for them to recognize the other children.

It's my new way of doing it as well. I made the mistake of doing a month long transition following the parents guide and it was horrible! Took much longer for baby to trust me and get comfortable with someone they see once a week etc. After those 3 HELL months I said no more! One week before and DONE. They have to get used to me and the group at some point...why drag it out?

[mustbenuts]

I tell the parents that I do believe a transition period is more for the parents' benefit than for the kids but I leave the decision up to them. If they feel more comfortable with some trial days or half days whatever, that's fine. But I do insist on full payment for those days (learned that lesson the hard way) and I do not want the parent there. The child and I need to get to know each other and I cannot start to do that until mom steps out of the picture. I do text worried moms throughout the day and if they want to pop in early for pick up, that's fine but if they come through the day it's with the knowledge that they are taking their child with them.

[playfelt]

I like the one week too or at most spread over two weeks with some full days the second week. Mostly it gives me a chance to deal with different parts of the child's day and work out my own routine. I always have them come as if they were going to work so get up in the morning, do normal routine and then bring child to daycare - and at least one of those days continue on to work so they can see how the route has changed and get their timings down. It helps us all to see if child will need a different time for morning nap than mom has been doing (since child was sleeping in) etc. We do a mom and baby first day, mom for 15 mintues and baby for an hour Tues, baby alone till after nap but befor lunch (baby experiences sleeping at my house), Thursday child stays for lunch but goes home before nap (baby experiences a meal at my house and me feeding them), Friday they come all day - mom has one last day to do errands and get house ready for return to work but suggest they pick up by 3:45 so child is first to go home not last. They start care the following week and mom goes to work. For pay I do a pro rated schedule with hourly/ half day no meal, half day with meal, full day. so over the course of the week they basically pay for the equivalent of 2-3 days.

[kidlove]

I always start the child ful time on the date they are supposed to start, but for the younger ones I do offer the parents a few days a week or just a few initial days before hand to get a feel of the child and have the child get a feel of "mom leaving" and the way things go around here. I don't ever offer the parent to stay for a portion of the day, it will draw out the seperation issues that may take place, I think it can be too confusing to the child, first she stays, then she leaves? The child needs to know right from the start, that just as easy as Mommy left, she also comes back, and he/she if fine while she is gone. The quicker they learn the better off everyone will be!

[DCMom]

Awesome feedback - thank you ladies!