Pat Tweedie, Child Care Aware Project Assistant, at Oklahoma State University has prepared some helpful hints on how to prepare your child for day care. Day care providers might find it useful to share these hints with their new parents.

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.
• 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.
• Read and look at picture books about child care. Some books show and tell about a day in a child care center. Others deal with feelings a child might have about being away from a parent or playing with other children.

FIRST DAY TIPS
• Plan to spend extra time getting to work and child care.
• Pack your child's supplies the night before so you will not be rushing in the morning. Rushing adds stress and shortens tempers.
• Plan to stay a while the first several mornings. Have another person your child knows stay if you cannot. When it is time for you to leave, say good-bye, give a last hug, and leave directly. Your child may cry at first. This is normal. Usually the tears last for a brief time, six to 20 minutes.
• Check on your child by phone later.
• Plan shorter days for your child to be away from you. Pick him or her up after the morning session first, then after lunch, then after nap, and finally have your child stay the whole day. Perhaps a grandparent or friend your child knows well can help if you cannot pick him or her up early.
• Call if you will be late picking up your child. Tell your child if you know you will be one of the last parents to pick up your child every day. Your child can learn to look at the clock and know it is not time to go home yet. Suggest the provider play a game, read to, or do a special activity with the last few children.
• Try not to be in a rush to go home. Your child may want to show you some things he or she has done. Do not be surprised if your child acts angry or unhappy to see you, or wants to stay longer. Your child is telling you that he or she needs time to get ready to leave. You can show that you think this is a good place to be by spending time there, talking to the teachers, and visiting with other parents. Meet your child's friends, play with your child for a while, then go home.

REMEMBER TO TAKE ON THE FIRST DAY

1. Your child's comfort item (blanket or stuffed animal).
2. Change of clothing and extra sweater.
3. Health forms and immunization records.
4. Family picture for his or her cubby or crib.
5. Phone number where you can be reached.
6. Child care phone number (with you).

ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN UNDER THREE YEARS OLD

• Allow time for your child to warm up slowly to the child care provider during your visit and first few days.
• Avoid handing your child directly to the child care provider.
• Let your child approach the provider when ready.
• Stay seated so your child can be on your lap or lean against you. She or he will need time to look over the provider, room, toys, and other children.
• Place a small table or chair between you and the provider. This barrier helps your child feel safe while getting to know the provider.
• Encourage the provider to play with a toy in which your child might be interested. They will get to know each other as they play with it together.
• Stay until your child is involved with the provider, toys, or other children.

SUGGESTED CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Cohen, M., Will I have a Friend?, New York: Aladdin Books, 1967
Conlin, S. and L. Friedman, Nathan's Day at Preschool, Seattle: Parent Press Inc., 1991.
Essenberg, P.E., You're My Nikki, New York: Dial Books, 1993.
Isadora, R., Friends, New York: Greenwillow Books, 1990.
Oxenbury, H., All Fall Down, New York: Macmillian, 1987.
Rogers, F., Going to Day Care, Pittsburgh: Family Communications Inc., 1985.
Tompert, A., Will You Come Back for Me?. Morton Grove, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Co., 1985.

Adapted from publications printed and issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

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