Ideas for separation strategies

[Yulia M.]

Provide your unique ideas for making it easier for the child and/or parent to say goodbye.

I myself have 3 children, I have one of them in  Preschool, and I have also babysat plenty. I find works best from my experience is let the family know how you do goodbyes ahead of time, so that you will be on the same page. I have the family say goodbye to the child, not prolong it, after the family leaves, depending on the age of the child; if the child is too little to understand, I would just distract him/her with activity or something that will move their attention from being sad. If the child is a toddler and bigger, I would acknowledge their feeling, and let them know that family will come back, and that I will be taking care of them. I will then distract them, with what ever seems to work, whether it is a book or toy, or an activity with other children.

[Ruth]

Ideas for separation strategies:
1. Speak with the parent(s) who will be dropping the child off at childcare to plan a way to make it smoother for both the child and them.
2. Make sure that you have someone else to look after the other children when this particular child will be dropped off so that you can really be able to focus on this child.
3. Let the parent(s) know that it would be helpful for you and the child if they are able to stay for 3 to 10 minutes to explain to the child that they will be coming back for them.
4. Once the parent(s) have left, take time to listen and comfort the child at their level.
5. Keep an eye out for the child to see how they are adapting.
6. Let the parent know how their child did, especially if the child was crying when the parent left insure that their child is doing fine through a text, when they come and pick their child up at the end of the day.