Many children will be going to child care for the first time when their parents move from welfare to work. As parents struggle to find jobs and meet the demands that come with working, children may feel a general sense of loss and fear They may also receive less attention from parents and fear abandonment. The lose of familiar surroundings and access to friends is a stressful experience for children and often makes them feel like they have lost control over their lives. Family child care providers can take steps, however, to lessen their fear of the unknown.

Anytime a child becomes a member of a new group there is an adjustment period that is needed. This adjustment period can last anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks or longer. Each child is unique and has an individual temperament, coping ability, and past experience involving change and meeting new people.

Some children will have been around a lot of different children and adults before coming to your program. Others will have spent nearly, if not all, their time surrounded by their parent(s) or close family members. Some children are simply generally easy going and take change in stride, while others will need extra time and attention to adjust to their new surroundings. Depending on a child's age or experience, he or she may have already obtained a wide variety of coping skills for just such occasions, while others may need help developing these skills.

What can you as a care giver do to make this transition into a new group as easy as possible? Here are some suggestions:

1. Let the parent know that an adjustment time is necessary and share ideas about how to make this adjustment as painless as possible. For instance, have the parent develop a consistent routine with his or her child when leaving that signals the parent's departure. Encourage communication with parents on a daily basis to determine what is normal behavior for each child; try to alleviate parental concerns about leaving the child that might be passed on to the child.
2. Help the child become familiar with his or her new surroundings. Take him or her on a tour of their new environment, pointing out places and items that will be important to them. For example, show the child the back yard where they will play, or the cot where they will take a nap, etc. Stay by them and help them through the often scary process of meeting new friends.
3. Develop a routine that the child can depend on. Children feel more comfortable when they have a consistent schedule they can predict. In the beginning, explain what the child can expect throughout the day up to and including when they can expect their parent's arrival. Once the child becomes secure with their environment and the routine you can begin to incorporate extras or slight variations in your program.
4. Suggest that the child bring his or her favorite toy, pillow, or blanket to use as a comfort during the early transitional stages. Offer the child a special safety or comfort zone all of their own. It may be a certain chair or cot where they can go to be alone with their blanket or pillow when they are feeling sad. In the beginning go with the child to provide reassurance but ultimately aim for that to be the place the child can go to comfort him or herself.
5. Don't forget to give attention to the "old" children in the group. It is not unusual for these children to resent all the attention given to the newest member of the group. Let the more "senior" members of the group help the new child to adjust. Many times the "old" children will adjust to the new child quicker if they are involved, too. They can introduce themselves and show the new child the toys and games, help get diapers, or show the new child where coats go.

Remember, this period of adjustment is temporary and is usually over with by the third week. You can aid the process by being patient, calm, and understanding. Soon perhaps, the most challenging child will become one of the best adjusted and happiest child in your group.

Beginning child care can be very positive for children. It may be a chance for making new friends, and learning flexibility and independence in a changing world. If handled correctly, children can thrive in their new environment and look forward to spending time with their new friends and care giver.

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