Introducing your toddler to a child care program can help them learn new skills that aid development and prepare them for preschool experience.
Tips for a Successful Child Care program
- Find a quality child care program that mirrors your values, expectations, and needs. Plan a tour of the center before enrolling your little one. Check to see how the caregivers interact with other children, the general hygiene of the facility, as well as the programs and activities available for your child.
- Constantly communicate with the child care providers to stay updated about your child’s progress. A quality child care program should have an active assessment process to help keep the providers on track with the child’s progress.
- Encourage independence skills at home. Toddlers can start to do a little more for themselves, like using the potty, helping to dress and undress, and getting drinks when they are thirsty. These independence skills make them cope better in the child care program.
- Maintain your routines, especially meal and sleep routines. It may not be possible to align the home routine with the child care center routines, but as much as possible, maintain the routine.
The most important part of a quality child care program is the warm, supportive and meaningful teacher-child relationship.