Any tips to help a new one settle in?

[daycarewhisperer]

I'm transitioning a child of similiar age and he is doing similiar behavior. I wouldn't worry a bit about it. The way I see it is that he has the right to express his little feelings and they don't have a thing to do with you, your home, your care. It's how HE feels and crying is the only way to express it.

The only thing I would do differently is that I wouldn't allow him access to the window at all. I also wouldn't pick him up at all. If he wants to be close to you he can come to you while you are sitting on the floor. Don't ask him to or encourage him to. Just be on the floor for the other kids to hold them and if he comes, he comes... if he doesn't .. he doesn't.

I would also have him have his own area to express his feelings if the noise level gets to affecting you or the kids. They have a right to calm and fun airwaves so if he needs to express himself loudly then let him have a safe away place to have at it.

Don't worry about his eating or smiling. He won't starve in the short time he is with you daily and he can go five years without a smile and end up just fine.

Just do what you do and allow him to join in when he's ready. Just provide a good environment, good food for him to reject, a warm place to sleep and be comfortable, and a sunny disposition. If he says "no" to that then accept it and don't try to change it. He doesn't need his own adult to keep his happiness minute to minute. He has to find that within what you offer in group care.

We stress WAY too much about the opinion of babies. They are new to the planet and they do not know what is best for them. Their reactions are often way off of scale of what is happening and they "want" for things that are not good for them or they can't have because their parents aren't able to provide it. The truth is that he is in a safe place, has his basic needs met, you come in peace to him and he still says "no". Honor and respect his "no" and stay out of it.