Gradual Entry
We consider gradual entry to smooth the transition from house to a different environment.
Every child is different and because of that react different to change, the gradual entry will smooth the adjusting experience to a new situation. The length of gradual entry, however, will vary according to the child and the family’s needs.
Our process for gradual entry considers two to phases:
Phases One: Before the child comes to the Centre:
- The parents must talk to the child about the Centre, as a new experience, cheerfully and observe carefully how the child react.
- Arrange and visit the Centre before the first day. , and come to visit with the child.
- Talk with the educator about your concerns and the child’s reaction.
- Bring the information sheet about the child habits, behaviours, favourite toys, routines, special words in the orientation session.
- During the orientation session the parents may ask the questions they require to feel secure and get information to the educator about the child’s interest and needs, events or situations that could affect the child’s interaction.
- The parents could teach some key words and phrases in their own language to the educator.
Phases two: The child’s in the first week of care:
- First day: Brings a child for about 2-hours, the parent must stay with the child for some time in the daycare., The parent could smoothly step back and observe the child’s behaviour or could help his or her child showing a toy or reading a book. Do not force the interaction with adults or other children. The child could want to observe the play of others. After half an hour the parent leave the child. The educator will introduce the new child and his or her parent to a group.
- Is recommended that the parent brings a bedding or comfort blanket or teddy, extra cloth, no lunch but something to drink.
- Second day: During the second day a child will stay in the daycare for about 3 to 4 hours. During this time the parent for short periods of time will leave the child alone. Tell the child that you will come back soon.
- Third day: Bring the child for about 3-5 hours leave the child alone for longer periods of time, bring lunch, but not nap time. Tell the child that you will come back soon. Monitoring by phone.
- Fourth Day: The child will be prepare for take lunch with the other children. The parents will leave the child alone and pick him or her up after lunch. Tell the child that you come back after Lunch.
- Fifth day: Bring the child for 4-5 hours lunch and nap time are included. Early pick up for this day.
Third Phase: Arrival and departure
Please make your goodbye brief and relax (no more than a couple of minutes), the longer you prolong departure the harder it gets. Never leave without telling your child goodbye. Please be in control of your child during pick up times, and do not allow her or him to play on, in or around the rocks. No one other than the parent or designated person will be allowed to pick up your child without prior arrangement. I must be notified in advance and have a written note with the person’s name and relation to the child (See not annex).
If there is a court order keeping one parent away from the child, I must have a written note from the custodial parent in my file to that effect. Otherwise, I cannot prevent the non-custodial parent from picking up the child.
I will send pictures of your child by text to monitoring how is the child being doing.