The transition from home to infant care and preschool can be challenging for both young children and parents. Not only does this mark a critical milestone in a child’s development, it lays the foundation for their educational journey. Hence, it is important to ensure a seamless and positive transition.

For that to happen, it requires careful planning, preparation, and a supportive environment that helps young children feel more at ease. In this article, we will break down some practical tips on how parents can get their child ready for infant care and preschool, so that the entire process can be as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible.

Ways to Get Your Child Ready For Infant Care and Preschool

Start Early

It’s never too early to prepare your child for infant care and preschool, and it should begin well before their first day. For children, parents can introduce them to the concept of school by talking about it positively, reading books about school, and watching educational videos that show the fun aspects of learning. For infants who have only been used to direct latching, it is best to start transitioning them from breastfeeding to bottle feeding about 2 to 8 weeks prior to infant care so that the babies will be more comfortable being fed by teachers.

Setting Up a Routine

Babies and children function the best with routines in place. For children, you can start practising a routine that is akin to that of the experience they will have in school, including waking up, eating, napping, and playtime. On the other hand, consistency is especially key for infants, so that could look like establishing a feed-activity-sleep schedule that is similar each day.

Visiting the School Together

Organise a visit to the infant care or preschool with your child prior to their official start date. Allow children to immerse themselves fully into their surroundings, whether that means meeting the teachers, making friends, or exploring the classrooms and play areas. Reassure them that it is okay to ask questions or express any concerns they may have. As parents of an infant, you may help the infant teachers out by introducing them to the contents of your baby’s diaper bag and allow them to bond with your infant one on one.

Socialising

If your child has not had the opportunity to socialise, think about arranging playdates with other children or visiting places where other children are present. This will help the child develop social skills, and they will also learn how to share and interact with others. On the other hand, parents may expose their infants to activities like reading, singing, and talking so that the baby will be more aware of social cues, especially at such a young age.

Open Communication

One way parents can help the teachers make it easier for their children is to communicate the child’s likes and dislikes, routines, and any other special needs beforehand. For infant care, this may include the baby’s feeding habits, diaper routines, and sleeping habits. That way, the teachers will know exactly what to do when faced with unexpected situations. Likewise, parents should encourage their children to speak up openly without fearing repercussions.

Positive Goodbyes

Leaving children at school might end up making them feel abandoned and unsure if you are ever returning to pick them up. It is best to keep your goodbyes brief, positive, and reassuring. Let them know that you will be there at the end of their school day and that they are safe with their teachers in the meantime. Additionally, make sure that you keep to your word and show up for them like you promised.

Tots & Teddies

Tots & Teddies is a multi-award winning immersive-bilingual, full-day infant care and preschool centre located in Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD). We cater to discerning parents who want the best quality care for their infants from 2 months through to children under 7 years old.

Our learning environments are created carefully around your child so they feel safe, secure, fun and are able to respond freely. The environments help to spark curiosity and creativity in your child, invite exploration, manipulation, and a sense of discovery.

The classrooms have been designed to support your child’s character development through our thematic inquiry-based curriculum. Additionally, we feature a semi-open classroom concept where children from different age groups can socialise and learn from one another.

To ensure the holistic development of your child, bi-weekly trips to the Children’s Park at Gardens By The Bay are provided at no additional charge to parents. Alternatively, they also get to explore Art Playscape which is located at the National Gallery Singapore.

Parents play a critical role in their children’s lives so we partner closely with them to enhance the children’s learning. Daily updates are sent via our digital app, phone calls and email. We also invite parents to participate regularly in the children’s activities and hold half-yearly parents-teachers meetings as well as at our year-end open house.

Conclusion

Getting your child ready for infant care and preschool requires a combination of preparation, communication, understanding, and lots of patience. By following these practical tips, you may find it easier to ease your child’s transition, setting them up for a lifetime of learning and growth.

As parents, your support and encouragement plays a vital role in helping your child thrive in their new educational environment. Even if it does get challenging at first, you will eventually get where you need to be. At Tots and Teddies, our dedicated teachers will be there to make this transition easier at every step of the way.