The first experience at daycare for a child who has always been at home with his or her family can be traumatic. As the provider can make all the difference in the child's experience, he or she should be chosen with a lot of thought. It is recommended that the child's providers be someone they already know, if it is remotely possible. Many other resources exist for those that know where to look for them.



Word of mouth from any friends with children will go a long way towards steering you to a good daycare. All facilities will have both positive and negative aspects, as well as those tiny little quirks, that can be easily discussed between two parents. While listening to any discussion make sure you keep in mind the fact that some difficulties with providers are nothing more than personalities not gelling, while others - the ones that earn more than one negative comment from a variety of parents - are ones you'll want to stay away from.

Another tip is to solicit the Department of Social Services for a list of daycare facilities in your area. Your child's doctor is another valuable source, as many get to know the daily going-on of their patients. If none of those tactics work, try a phone book or newspaper. Once you have chosen a provider, take your child to meet them because most providers will wish to meet with you prior to the child being enrolled. In doing this, the parent gives the child a way to feel safe, secure, and familiar in a completely new environment.

Most daycare providers understand this sense of longing that children feel and will therefore allow the child to have a favorite toy or blanket with them. For many children, the homesickness that they experience will be lessened through this process. Another tool parents use to help their child feel at ease is giving them a picture of home - usually of a family member - though parents should use caution because sometimes this only worsens the sense of loss that your child feels. Another way to ease the transition is by staying at the facility long enough for your child to get used to playing in this new place. If the child is old enough to understand the concept of time, then you can tell them when you are coming back and this will help them understand that you are not abandoning them. Many children are able to calm down and enjoy their daycare experience more if they know when you are going to be returning, and if you so consistently at the same time every day.

Above all else, be positive as you leave. Since you want this to be a positive situation for the child, you cannot react negatively and expect opposite results. Watching the parents leave is typically stressful for any child, and crying is a typical result, but most providers report that even the heaviest cries will soon settle down and they will start to play after about fifteen minutes. Save the prolonged bonding time between you and the child for when you pick them up, as your good-bye should be a simple one before you leave.