Transition week before FT care

[Fireyesblue]

I have a family starting in 2 weeks, with 2 kids: 12m old and a toddler who's 3 in Nov).

I am offering a transition week for the baby the week before official staet date. Do you think ite necessary to include the toddler that week? (keep in mind its my only fam right now and mom leaves 3 houses down). I'd like to focus on the baby as my own 2 yr old is with me. Do you have a transition week for toddlers?

Question: baby naps both morning and afternoon. Her nap schedule will change once she starts here with me for times. Does anyone have a transition plan for the week before? I know some do 3 days that week and others 4. I'm looking for how long on day 1, etc... Want to give mom a breakdown this week.

Thanks all!

[Lee-Bee]

I would do the toddler too. Depending on the toddler and whether they were in prior care they may have a harder time adjusting than a 12month old.

Transition needs to be daily otherwise it is just harder on the kids. If you plan to do a week of transition I would do 5 days of care. Day one: 2hrs first thing in morning. Day 2 half day leaving before lunch. Day 3 half day leaving after lunch. Day 4 stay and go right after nap. Day 5 a full day.

[Lee-Bee]

Oh, and depending on your preference either charge a full weeks pay (you are tied down for the full week) or charge half days for the shorter days and full days for the days that include nap.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I used to do transition days/week but soon realized it was those kids that took longer to FULLY transition into our program. Throwing them right into our routine, they are usually fine within the first week. (Of course, there are always exceptions!) The only time I do transitions now is when a parent really really wants one. They are usually fine with not having one after I explain my reasons and observations with past children. When I do transitions, I do half days every day with them going home after lunch but before nap.

[babydom]

I longer offer transitions either. The child learns quick that right before nap mom comes. Or right after nap mom comes. Throws everything off. So now I offer a full wk, full day the wk before mom goes back to work. On the first day I allow mom to come in for 30-60 mins then leaves. Every day is full and reg daycare schedule. But if I absoutelty need to call mom I don't feel bad doing it because she is home that wk. also the families love this way as it gives mom a whole wk to her self. Get stuff ready for work, clean house, errands etc. has worked great for me! No complaints from families. :)

[mickyc]

I allow 3 mornings to transition, then full time. I charge full rate for those 3 mornings too

[Fireyesblue]

Thx!
Those who do half days (mornings) do you have them drop off regular time, leave child to nap for morning and pick up before lunch, or after lunch? Mom right now has baby on an entirely diff nap schedule. Don't think she plans on changing it until she starts. Also, how about her older sibling who's almost 3? Should he come for the mornings as well?

[ottawamommy]

If they are starting in 2 weeks she should have switched the nap schedule 2 months ago ! I would do 2 hours one day 2.5 the second and half day for the third. I would do the same with the sibling. I find that older kids can be harder to transition than younger.

[mickyc]

I usually do 8-12:30 for 3 days. Do both children, not just 1.

Yes sleep schedule should have been changed at home a month ago. Sadly most parents just stay with theirs. This is why transition should be limited. You need to get switched over to your schedule and fast

[Fireyesblue]

@mickyc: are your 3 days together or broken up? ie, Mon, Wed and Fri sort of thing.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Honestly, if you want to do transitions, do it when it's best for you. It will make the parent happy, not inconvenience you and really, the kid won't care. It's a transition either way but we don't give kids enough credit. They will be fine.

If doing half days though, morning only so they can play and be distracted from their morning nap.

I've had young kids have catnaps on the floor in the playroom with kids running around them though lol. Kids adapt! If they need a break, they need a break. A screaming tired kid is no fun so you do what you gotta do!

[Suzie_Homemaker]

12 month old will be easier to adjust than 3 year old. So if doing transition, it more important for older child.

I not do transition unless parent is paying for it. They start a week early and pay full time and phase in that way.

I tend to issue my schedule long before start date and some parent mirror mine before child start here. If baby schedule different, I mirror their's for a week and start bringing into mine. But lunch/naps not changed, only routine. So if baby has bottle before nap, I do that here or if they have when wake, I do that here.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Most often I don't have a lot of notice when new clients coming (about a month) so I do the same as suzie. I follow the child's lead for a week or so before introducing my schedule. Some kids are easier to transition than others and often things the parent "warns" me about are non-issues here....like the parent will say they are hard to get down for nap but yet here they fall asleep within 5 mins etc.

[mickyc]

I do the 3 days together. The quicker the child can follow your schedule the better.