Ending the Drop Off Drama
Most parents will tell you that the hardest part of the daycare day is drop-off. For some children who suffer from separation anxiety, this can be a complex issue. Our blog on separation anxiety has some tips, more specifically for those struggles. However, for most, the drop-off drama has more to do with outside influences than internal turmoil. It’s too hot, it’s too cold, I want to carry my backpack today, the door bumped me when you opened it, I just don’t wannnnnnnnt to go to school today.
We want to be able to support our families from the start to the end of the day, and here are some ways we make the morning transition as smooth as possible.
A Friendly Face at the Door
A member of our admin team is always on site to help with drop-off and pick-up. We hold doors when hands are full, keep an eye on kids when you’ve forgotten something in the car, and greet kids for the day ahead. We are setting the tone by putting on music throughout the building and making sure classrooms are ready. You never walk into a dark school, and with an admin on site, a question never has to wait until later or go unanswered. This also allows the admin team to connect with students each morning, so that during the day, as we support classrooms, we are familiar faces, not mysterious strangers.
Communication is Everything
Parents should know what room their child is going to and who will be greeting them when they get there. While some days traffic or illness can cause commotion, Celebree strives to keep our staffing consistent and our communication clear. If a staff member is out, parents are informed at the front desk who will be subbing in their child’s class. Children are made aware of planned absences, so that they aren’t surprised when a beloved teacher is missing. Part of each new employee’s training is spending time in each classroom, connecting with children, so that when they need to step into a class, everyone is comfortable.
Routines and Rituals
Our classrooms run on routines and rituals so that children are confident and comfortable with the day ahead. Part of the routine involves reviewing activities for the upcoming days and discussing the classes’ current study. This helps build excitement and anticipation. Our teachers take time and intention when making lesson plans, and those activities foster excitement about learning!
Our school also has small, fun daily activities. These calendars, shared monthly, include days like PJ Day, Make a Gift Day, and Caroling day! Little excitements add a lot to the routine of going to school every day, and utilizing these connection activities allows excitement to travel from home to school. Everyone likes to show off their new cool PJs!
AM Activities
We want our kids to be excited from the moment they walk in the door, but we also want walking in the door to feel safe. It can be overwhelming if a child walks into a classroom that is full of noise, crowded, and rowdy. AM Activities are the antidote to that chaos. Each day, teachers set out a few activities at their tables. These activities can be themed to classroom studies, seasonal, or just special toys that are only available in the morning. These activities are designed to give children something new to look forward to each day, but also to engage children from the moment they walk in the door. This allows smooth transitions as children can place their items in their cubbies, head over to the tables, and greet their friends at their own pace.
Making Everyday an Exciting One
One of the most important parts of early childhood education is instilling a love of learning. We are most children’s first concept of “school”. When we’re doing our job well, children are excited about what they learn in class, who they interact with, and what new surprise awaits them the next day. Even if they are a little nervous at the drop-off door. We want everyone, parents and children, to arrive at school saying, “I can’t wait to see what we learn today!”
