Choosing a child care centre can pose a lot of questions regarding your child's comfort and happiness. It is always a slight gamble deciding on a centre because you never know at which point you will be required to move. An establishment could switch locations or a childcare professional who you trust might find a position elsewhere. This often leaves parents wondering how their child will cope with being taken to a different centre and how to best prevent a disturbance to your child's development. Here are a few ways you can make sure they are mentally ready — and even excited, to attend a new establishment.

You Will Need To Take It Gradually

When it comes to major changes in children's lives, like moving to another town, or one parent having to move away, suddenness can cause an emotional fracture. Separation anxiety occurs when children are not able to understand the reasoning behind a safe, comforting influence on their lives being taken away. In such cases, they may blame themselves or develop relational trauma.

Fortunately, all licensed child care services employ professionals trained to distinguish the amount of extra attention and support a child may need. Therefore, you will want to take your child to the new child care centre they will be attending, once or twice a week, for about a month before they make their final transition. Make sure those visits are filled with fun and bonding experiences for your toddler with other children and educators.

Use Rewards And Don't Sever Ties

When consulting educators at your new chosen centre, mention the transition your child will be undergoing. You can then work out an arrangement that helps you reward your child after a good day at the new centre, for instance, with a sweet treat or a trip to the aquarium. Your new child care centre will also be lenient at first, allowing you to pick up the child early in case of any trouble.

Do not sever ties completely; if your child developed a positive bond with a past educator, make sure that you offer them to keep visiting their old daycare to see their friends or talk to their teacher. This can be an occasional reward at first until your child develops the same bond with their new environment and displays a willingness to move on.

A Finishing Word

Childcare professionals are trained in facilitating children's transitions. Therefore, with confidence, positivity and patience, there's no reason your child shouldn't thrive in their new environment. Make sure to keep communication genuine and open with your child, explaining the reasoning behind the move and voicing the efforts you will make to facilitate it.

For more tips, reach out to a child care centre near you.