Settling your child into Preschool at Dynamic Learning
Some children who have never experienced time away from their parents, or children who are uneasy with unfamiliar surroundings are best introduced to preschool in a more structured manner. We strongly suggest the following plan of action to settle your child in Dynamic Learning.
Day 1
Arrive at around 9.30am, when the regular children are already settled to their own activities.
Help your child take their coat and shoes off.
Sit on the white bench in the “reception” area. This way your child can explore and play whilst you are still in view.
Try to be as boring as possible. Bring your laptop or other device, a newspaper or magazine. Do not cross into the play area or attempt to play with your child. We want to avoid your child associating preschool as “mummy time”. Your child can, however, approach you.
Don’t be concerned if your child stays close by. Quite often they will play with the doll’s house right next to you. Again, don’t be tempted to interact. Your child is taking small steps to branch out into the wider preschool environment.
At around 10.15, Ruth or another member of staff will suggest that it is time to go home.
The session is kept short and sweet so the child leaves whilst they are still happy. They have possibly begun to enjoy some of the toys and as a result will want to return!!
Quite often there are tears when it is time to go!! Great!! This is a good sign! This means your child will look forward to returning!!
Day 2
Arrive a little earlier. Stay in the same place as yesterday. At some point in the morning we will suggest that you have a “coffee” in the kitchen, which your child will be notified of. This is the next step to settling your child. You will still be at preschool but you are no longer visible to your child.
If this step goes well we may advise you to stay out of sight till snack time. At snack time it is time to depart again.
Warn your child that the next time you come that they can stay for snack and play while you go “shopping”.
Day 3
Arrive at 9am with the regulars. Stay for a short while. When the staff feels the child is ready they will suggest you go “shopping”. We are always honest with the child when it is time for you to leave. We tell the child of your departure and we face the consequences! It is much better to do it this way than let you sneak out! If we let you sneak out and the child searches for you, and you are not there, we break their trust. Usually children can be distracted and within five minutes they are playing happily once again.
PLEASE leave quickly! Lingering goodbyes never work! They prolong the child’s agony!! Kiss, hug and go! Children can also see you if you peer through the windows. Please avoid doing this! We will have your mobile number and we can text you to tell you how your child is settling and when you should return.
We suggest that you stay close by. You could visit the local coffee shop or Coop situated in the Thonex Commercial Centre. This is less than 5 minutes away. When you return around 11am bring something the child would like for lunch or a small treat (this may be prearranged with your child beforehand).
After this last step, we feel your child has made the leap. Any subsequent visit will be at 9am and we would expect the child to stay for the whole session, until 12pm.
However, sometimes the child is capable of being left from the first morning! We can condense the whole process on day one! It totally depends on the individual child.