Beginning our ‘new regular’, and returning to work and childcare will be hard. Emotionally and from a health and safety perspective. With many childcare centres adhering to best practices and not letting parents past the screening area, what will drop off look and feel like now?
Will you be nervous? Will your little one be nervous? Will your little one get the extra hugs and cuddles they need to feel safe and secure throughout the day?
There are many unknowns and unanswered questions; and we won’t know the answers until we transition back to work, childcare, and the life we had before quarantine. Here are 8 tips for transitioning back to childcare during COVID-19 that will help you along the way:
Communicate
First and most importantly, you should communicate with your child. No matter how young they are, speaking with them about what’s going on will ease some of their fears. They may not know all the details about what has changed, but they can ‘sense’ that things are different.
Always stay calm, composed, and try your best not to project your anxieties if you have any. Your children will model any behaviors and feelings that you have. So hang onto those anxieties, and talk through them with another adult.
Having open communication will help you and your child talk about everything that is happening and therefore successfully transition back to childcare.
Acknowledge Their Feelings
Before transiting back to childcare, begin the conversation with your child early so that they have enough time to process some of the changes.
By now, your childcare centre should have already reached out to you and confirmed some of their changes. If not, send them a friendly email to see what health and safety measures they are implementing to keep children, and educators safe.
Messages of safety are good ways to help children build trust and feel safe. Let your child know that things will be different, and that we need to give everyone physical space to keep healthy. Let them know that they may need to wear a mask, and that their teacher will have one too. Reassure them that its ok to feel scared, or nervous. But let them know that they will be safe with teachers, because adults are doing everything they can to keep everyone safe.
Then, give them time to either ask questions, or voice their concerns and thoughts. Here are 6 books, recommended by Neighbor Schools, to help during the transition process back to childcare.
Set the Stage
As you communicate with your child, and acknowledge their feelings, you will have to talk about COVID-19 related things. Right now there’s a lot going on in the news and all across the world. Be sure to let your little one guide the conversation, and answer all questions they may have. Revisit the topic as often as they want and be sure to be as honest as possible.
You may need help with kid friendly language to help you explain COVID-19, why things are different, and why we have to behave the way we do. We think this free ebook, A Kids Book About Covid-19 is a great start.
Start Slow & Give Lots of Time and Love
You should start slow and give your child lots of time to prepare themselves to return to childcare. Much like the practice of giving them a 5-minute warning before you leave the park. Since you will be starting slow, try driving to and from the daycare. Remind them of how much fun they had, but be sure to also let them know that when they return they will have fun in similar and different ways.
Considering that they have been home for months, they may have a bit of separation anxiety. If you have been following the physical distancing rules correctly, then your child probably hasn’t been in any play groups. Sometimes children’s anxieties can manifest in different ways, including an increased desire to be around you and what has been familiar for the last couple months.
The idea that you can give your child too much attention is a myth. A balance of being firm and showing your child love and attention is the best way to go.
Do Some of the Health & Safety Requirements at Home
There will be many new policies, procedures, and health and safety regulations that will be put in place due to COVID-19. Here are just a few of the new requirements for childcare centres:
- Screening areas
- Sectioned drop-off and pick-up areas
- Adults wearing masks throughout the day
- Limited to no intersections between classrooms
- Increased handwashing
- Individualized activities
- Physical distancing from others
Understanding and familiarizing yourself with the new regulations and guidelines will make transitioning back to childcare during COVID-19 successful.
If you have an older child, start allowing them to become familiar with wearing a mask. If you have a younger child, make sure that they see familiar and trusted adults wearing them.
Practice frequent and proper handwashing, and ensure that they know how to independently wash their hands.
Get Back in a Routine
The transition back to childcare will be easier for your child, and yourself, if you take the time to get back into a routine. Before you return, start implementing an appropriate bedtime and wake up time that is consistent with the hours you will be attending childcare.
Doing this ahead of time will make sure that when the time comes, you wont be dealing with a tired, scared, and cranky child.
Be Flexible
This global pandemic has disrupted the lives of families and children all across the globe. There are still many unanswered questions, and as we can expect, the future is still unknown. Because of this, it’s important to be flexible.
Even after your childcare centre has opened, there may be changes in the coming months; some that may disrupt your new routine. Your childcare will be responsive to the healthy and safety guidelines of your local health unit. Which means closures may occur due to COVID-19 and related policies. These closures will be challenging for you and your child, and will feel like a setback in your process.
Prepare to be flexible in your routine, and prepare to be patience with your child. Remember to keep communication open and continue to talk to them about everything that is happening.
Patience is Key
You won’t know exactly how your child will react to returning until it actually happens. If you are able, ease them through the transition with shorter days.
But most importantly be patience with their progress, and with your own. Patience and flexibility will be two of the most important things you need for successfully transitioning back to childcare during COVID-19.
Read more about how Laugh & Learn ELCC plans to meet the health and safety requirements while providing quality care here.
