Attending child care is an exciting time for your little one, filled with educational exploration, fun, and new friends. Though the transition into this new phase isn’t always easy, preparation is key, and the children’s day care professionals at A Rising Star Children’s Center, serving Cortlandt Manor, NY, and the surrounding areas, offer three pieces of advice to parents gearing up for this change.

Read on to learn how to set your little one up for a smooth, successful transition to child care:

• Be Prepared: As you prepare for the transition to children’s day care, don’t forget to dot your i’s and cross your t’s. Ensure your child’s immunizations are up to date, discuss any allergies or special needs in advance, and leave the day care staff with accurate information for yourself and an emergency contact.
• Create A New Ritual: Children thrive in a routine and enjoy having something consistent to look forward to. That’s why new rituals are a helpful way to ease into this period of change. Try selecting a special new bag for day care and filling it with essentials and a favorite blanket or something to remind them of home. Then, get creative with a new day care ritual, like a fun game to play on the drive or a special, silly way to say goodbye.
• Stay Positive: Preparing to leave their child alone at day care can be a heart-wrenching moment for parents, but you must keep your emotions well disguised while you drop off your little one. Children can sense anxiety and discomfort, and if you aren’t careful, their feelings about day care will reflect your negative emotions.

A Rising Star Children’s Center offers high-quality, educational children’s day care programs to the Westchester community. To learn more about their programs, call (914) 788-4582 or contact the child care center through their website.