Before your child's
first day
Prepare your child. Talk to your child
about what child care will be like. Even if your child is a toddler,
children can usually understand clear explanations. Point to the calendar
and talk about what days of the week are work days for you and child care
days for him or her. Talk about whether he or she will eat and nap there.
Your happy positive attitude and calm voice will help your child know this
will be a good place to stay.
 Read and look at picture books about child care.
Some books show and tell about a day in a family child care home or
center. Others deal with feelings a child might have about being away from
a parent or playing with other children.
Prepare yourself. Learn about quality
child care. Call your county Cooperative Extension Service office and DHS
office to receive materials on child care. These materials can help you
find a quality child care provider that is best for you and your child.
Before the first day:
- Visit the child care program so you can
tell your child about it.
- Take your child for a short visit so he
or she can see where children play, eat, and nap.
- Invite your child care provider to visit
you at home. She or he, you, and your child can get to know each
other.
- Invite another child who is in the same
program to play with your child. He or she will have at least one
"friend" on the first day of child care.
CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
Cohen, M., Will
I Have a Friend?, New York: Aladdin Books, 1967. Buy
Now
Conlin, S. and L. Friedman, Nathan's
Day at Preschool, Seattle: Parent Press Inc., 1991. Buy
Now
Essenberg, P. E., You're
My Nikki,
New York: Dial Books, 1993. Buy
Now
Oxenbury, H., All
Fall Down, New York: MacMillan, 1987. Buy
Now
Tompert, A., Will
You Come Back for Me?, Morton Grove, Illinois: Albert Whitman
& Co., 1985. Buy
Now
Tweedie , P.S. (1996). " Before
your child's first day." In Beginning Child Care: CCA 125.
Stillwater, OK: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service.
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