CHILDCARE Preparation & Drop -off
That first morning you send your toddler off to childcare, there are often tummies filled with butterflies, tears and anxious goodbyes – and that's just the parents!
Sending your child to day care can be an anxious time for everyone, but there are ways to help make introducing childcare a smooth process for the whole family.
Before the big day
Preparation is the key for a painless start to formal care such as child care. Start talking to your child early on about where she is going, how fun it is and what she will do there. Explain what the child care routine will be and reassure her that you'll be there to pick her up in the afternoons. There are parenting books available that tell stories about going to child care or preschool and these may be a good introduction.
Before your toddler begins child care, it's a really good idea for you to spend some time with her at the crèche where she'll be. Come to our Open Day - annually held on a Saturday morning in March. It may just be an hour or two, but it will make her more familiar with the child care centre with the safety of you being with her. This will also give you a chance to talk to the carers about the room`s daily routine and things that may help settle her. Make sure you answer any questions your child may have about child care openly and honestly. If it suits you, you can send her for some shorter days at the start – an hour, a half day – to help her settle in to the idea of day care gradually.
Preparation is the key for a painless start to formal care such as child care. Start talking to your child early on about where she is going, how fun it is and what she will do there. Explain what the child care routine will be and reassure her that you'll be there to pick her up in the afternoons. There are parenting books available that tell stories about going to child care or preschool and these may be a good introduction.
Before your toddler begins child care, it's a really good idea for you to spend some time with her at the crèche where she'll be. Come to our Open Day - annually held on a Saturday morning in March. It may just be an hour or two, but it will make her more familiar with the child care centre with the safety of you being with her. This will also give you a chance to talk to the carers about the room`s daily routine and things that may help settle her. Make sure you answer any questions your child may have about child care openly and honestly. If it suits you, you can send her for some shorter days at the start – an hour, a half day – to help her settle in to the idea of day care gradually.
On the first day
- On the first day of child care, make sure you're organised so that you're not rushing around.
- Another way to ease this big change in your child's life is to get him or her on an adequate sleep schedule at least several days, if not weeks, before the first time at day care, if he or she is not already on one. Children typically need at least 10 or 11 hours of sleep every night; toddlers and preschoolers need even more. Determine how much time you and your child will need to unhurriedly prepare to leave each morning, and make that your child's wake-up time. Then count backwards from that time, 10, 11, or 12 hours, depending on your child's age and sleep pattern, and make that bedtime. Then keep to that schedule. A regular bedtime every night will help give a sense of security to a child in transition.
- Pack a favourite toy or blanket so she has something familiar with her.
- Arrive early so you have time to settle your toddler in.
- Ensure that you're not feeling too anxious. If you are, hide it best you can - it's likely your child will pick up on this and feel unsettled.
- Pay attention to your own body language when saying good bye to your child. If you're feeling uncertain about the new arrangement you could be conveying some of your own anxiety to your child. Try to leave the rush hour mentality at the door.
- Help your child find an activity she really likes and join in for a few minutes. They are less likely to protest your departure if they are having fun and involved with an activity.
- When it's time to go, give her a confident goodbye and let her know you'll be back later in the day to collect her.
- Don't sneak out of the child care centre without her knowing - this will make her anxious at future drop-offs.
- If your child reacts strongly see if your partner or a trusted friend can drop the child off instead. They might actually be protesting your departure more than the particular childcare environment.
- Consistency is important so stick to a routine. Avoid making other changes to your child's routine while getting used to a new childcare arrangement. For example this would not be a ideal time to move them from a cot to a bed.
- Accept the fact that it takes time for young children to adjust to a new childcare setting and some children take longer than others.
What we ask our Parents/Carers to do..........
- All your child’s personal belongings must be clearly labelled with your child’s name – we cannot take responsibility for unlabelled items.
- At least one spare set of clothes to be labelled and left at Le Chéile at all times.
- An ongoing supply of nappies and wipes, labelled. Nappy cream, if needed.
- Required for winter outside play : wellies, hats and coats labelled.
- Required for summer outside play : sun hats and sun cream labelled and applied by parent in morning. No flip flops allowed.
- Please notify us immediately of change of address or telephone number.
- Please notify us if your child cannot attend for any reason, on any given day.
- Children must at all times be accompanied by an adult until handed over to a staff member.
- Please update us of any relevant information from home e.g. child is unusually quiet, child didn’t sleep well and child didn’t eat breakfast or any changes outside normal routine or home life, as this can influence the child’s behaviour.
- Le Chéile discourages children bringing in toys from home as items can get lost, mixed up or broken. Exceptions will be made for items of comfort such as teddies, blankets, etc.
- Please read and adhere to our Illness Policy and Fee Payment Policy.
- You must park in designated parking spaces only - there is no drop-off parking spaces provided at le chéile. Please be aware of the other users of the complex and of the speed limit - 5 km/h.
Collection & Drop-off
It is our policy that children may only be collected by the person(s) nominated on their registration form.
- Children must be signed in at drop-off time and signed out on collection.
- Children must always be collected on time.
FAQ
Will my child be eligible for ECCE - the free pre-school year?
There have been changes to Pre-school options following Budget 2016 please read our Preschool page for further detail.
How is Le Chéile funded?
Le Chéile is operating under the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme(CCS). This scheme subvents community not-for-profit childcare services to enable them to charge reduced childcare fees to parents in receipt of Social Welfare payments. The facility also provides places under the Community Education and Training Scheme (CETS). These schemes have to be applied for by the parent through the facility. Parents who do not qualify for any of the above schemes are also facilitated. Le Chéile will be paid a capitation fee by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) for each qualifying child enrolled in ECCE.
How is Sesame funded ?
Sesame Early Intervention Service for children with Additional Needs is funded by the HSE Disability Services.
How soon should I enrol my child ?
It is advisable to enrol your child as early as you can. We have a waiting list.
When will I get an offer of a place?
Offers of a place at Le Chéile will begin at the end of April, always after our Open Day in March and we try to have our spaces full before the end of the school term in June.
Offers for Sesame are dependant on HSE referal
How do I apply for CCS ?
This is applied for by the parent through the facility, usually in October. We will let you know the date and you will have to get a copy of your PPSN and your child`s PPSN.
There have been changes to Pre-school options following Budget 2016 please read our Preschool page for further detail.
How is Le Chéile funded?
Le Chéile is operating under the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme(CCS). This scheme subvents community not-for-profit childcare services to enable them to charge reduced childcare fees to parents in receipt of Social Welfare payments. The facility also provides places under the Community Education and Training Scheme (CETS). These schemes have to be applied for by the parent through the facility. Parents who do not qualify for any of the above schemes are also facilitated. Le Chéile will be paid a capitation fee by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) for each qualifying child enrolled in ECCE.
How is Sesame funded ?
Sesame Early Intervention Service for children with Additional Needs is funded by the HSE Disability Services.
How soon should I enrol my child ?
It is advisable to enrol your child as early as you can. We have a waiting list.
When will I get an offer of a place?
Offers of a place at Le Chéile will begin at the end of April, always after our Open Day in March and we try to have our spaces full before the end of the school term in June.
Offers for Sesame are dependant on HSE referal
How do I apply for CCS ?
This is applied for by the parent through the facility, usually in October. We will let you know the date and you will have to get a copy of your PPSN and your child`s PPSN.
Useful Links
For information relating to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs www.dcya.gov.ie
We are members of Early Childhood Ireland since 2009. They have a great website full of relevant information for parents with young children www.earlychildhoodireland.ie
We are members of Early Childhood Ireland since 2009. They have a great website full of relevant information for parents with young children www.earlychildhoodireland.ie
