First time at creche - advice please

I agree with trust your instincts. Look whether if the other children look happy and relaxed. I could only notice the difference after I visited about 5 different places.

Toddlersense advises that if your child doesn't settle after a month, consider moving your child to another school.

Never ever sneak out. If possible, don't carry your child into the school let her walk. This comunicates that she doesn't need your protection, she can do this on her own.

Wear lipstick that day and give her a kiss on her hand and tell her that everytime she misses you she can look at the "kiss" and know that you love her and you will be back soon. After a while she will get the idea and it will become a symbol of trust.
You can try the same thing with a bracelet that belongs to you, give it to her when you say goodbye and ask her to keep it for you until you come to fetch.

Decide beforehand whether if you would like to stay for the day and make sure your child is comfortable with the new caretaker. Discuss this with your caretaker beforehand as not all schools allow this.

good luck!

Hi Beatrice

When I took my son to creche he cried after leaving him for the first couple of days but after that he settled.
Just like Elamsmom said, you will know. Trust your instincts they are usually right. Don't sneak out just hug her, kiss her and leave. It will be hard for a few days but then she will be fine.
Transition is diff for each parent and child, if she finds extremely difficult than rather take for one day a week for half day then progress to more days every 2weeks or so.

Thanks for sharing. We're very excited for her to start on Monday - but I feel so panicky!! Which I suppose is normal :-O But I know it's for the best!

Hi Beatrice.

I doubt I can be of any help because my LG never once cried when I left her at school (she started jan this year at 20 months). well, she 1st went to a creche at my work and she would cry when I left her there but I also had a weird feeling about that creche. It just didn't quite "gel" with me. So maybe she felt the same.Ii took her out before even a month was up and had to pay for an extra "notice month" but i didn't care. At her new creche, she absolutely flourished. She hardly even has time to say good bye to mommy once she sees her teacher and her friends.

I didn't do anything specific to get her used to the idea of going to creche. I could almost feel that she was ready.

I guess the advice that I can offer is to TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS! the 1st creche she went to was more expensive than the one she is in now, top-class facilities,security & location but that didn't necessarily make it the best option for us. Good Luck

Hi Beatrice.

I took my LG for a trial day at creche 2weeks ago, and it was actually a breeze. she will only start there after winter.

Find out what the program/schedule at creche: what time is breakfast, nap time, etc. then try to follow that this week to get your LO used/introduced to that routine.
try not to feed your baby before they go to creche, so that she will eat her breakfast there. when dropping her off, dont sneak out. tell her goodbye, hug and kiss, etc so she knows Mommy is leaving and would come back later. even if she cries, dont linger around just leave. you can call later on to check if she has calmed down.

this is what I did and it actually turned out ok. LG didnt even cry when I dropped her off, was more interested in going to play with other kids.
I was the one who was all emotional thou LOL

Hi Ladies

My 2 year old is starting crèche on Monday for the first time ever. She will be in the 18m - 2,5 years class and they will be 12 in the class.

Any advice on how I can make the transition a bit easier on her. I must send a blanket (so I'll take a familiar old one), a pillow with two pillowcases and water bottle to school. I'll pick her up at 4h in the afternoon.

Thx, I'm so nervous! But know it's best for her as we've been having endless nanny trust problems...