As any parent knows, getting everybody up and out the door is a challenging feat, especially when your child isn’t used to following a schedule. To make the process as smooth as possible, it helps to be prepared and organized by the time morning rolls around. The guide below will help you get your child to preschool on time.

5 Tips to Make Your Child’s Mornings More Efficient

1. Prep the Night Before

Mornings are much simpler when you minimize how much needs to be done. Instead of scrambling to get dressed and fix breakfast while everyone is still feeling groggy, prepare the night before. Don’t worry about prepping food in the morning; we provide breakfast, lunch and snacks for the children!

2. Set an Appropriate Bedtime

Tired, grumpy kids can make mornings much more challenging. To ensure children are well-rested and energized, ensure they get enough sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, kids in preschool should get about 10 to 13 hours of sleep per day. Schedule bedtime to accommodate these needs and stick with it every night.

3. Wake Up Before Your Child

Shower, dress, and get ready for the day before your little one gets up. Set your alarm at least 30 minutes before you need to wake them. This gives you time to catch your breath in the morning and get your own preparations out of the way.

4. Establish a Morning Routine

An established routine helps familiarize your child with what needs to be done in the morning, eventually allowing them to get ready on their own. For instance, you might wake older kids up and give them a list of tasks to complete before breakfast, including getting dressed, brushing their teeth, combing their hair, and using the bathroom.

5. Keep Morning Materials Organized

Avoid spending precious minutes searching for your misplaced keys or wallet by keeping everything in one place. If you don’t have one already, purchase or build your own entryway organizer, which can help consolidate essential items you need to grab right before you leave. Shoes, store keys, purses, backpacks, cellphone chargers, sunglasses, jackets, gloves, hats, and umbrellas in this space.

If your child is ready to start preschool, enroll them at Kids & Cribs Child Enrichment Center. This family-owned and -operated child care center offers engaging, quality learning programs for kids throughout the Fort Thomas, KY, area. Their highly trained staff is dedicated to creating a welcoming learning environment for children to develop academic, physical, social, language, and critical thinking skills. Visit their website for more information about their preschool program. To speak with a friendly teacher about enrollment, call (859) 441-5888.