Advice from a Pre-School Teacher: 5 Tips to Do Before Dropping Off Your Child
It’s the big day…the first day of day care/ pre-school!
Scared and nervous, is how we felt.
Luckily for us one of our very own Peg and Lion Moms is a day care/ pre-school teacher!
Kris Rosales, or as she’s known in her day care as Mrs. Kris, has tons of experience as day care teacher. From new borns to 5 year old toddlers, she has experienced it all and she has written something just for us.
If you missed her previous articles you can find them here:
10 Questions to Ask Your Preschool Before You Enroll
3 Things to Prepare Your Children AND You for Daycare
We really wished we had this article when we dropped off our kids.
What’s really great about these tips is that if you are dropping off your kids to your Mom’s (your baby’s grandparents) or another relative, you can totally adapt these tip for that.
Especially Number 5. We think that’s super important.
Without further delay, here is Mrs. Kris’ tips for the big day.
In her own words, Mrs. Kris’s thoughts what to do before dropping off your child in preschool
5 tips to do before dropping off your child in preschool
1. Feed your child(ren) first
2. Encourage the experience/ refer to the teacher as your “friend”
3. Allow your child to bring a lovey (Comfort toy of their own)
4. Pack essentials (The center should provide this list) the night before
5. Give your child’s teacher any updates
1. Feed your child(ren) first
1. Feeding your child a quick snack in the car can not only assist you in a calming ride, but can
ensure your child ate something. There have been numerous times where parents have
missed the cut-off time for breakfast at the center. While teachers may be understanding
some days, it is encouraged to help keep the centers cook on his/her schedule.
2. Encourage the experience/ refer to the teacher as your “friend”
In the car ride, you want to encourage a fun day at school. Even refer to your child’s teacher
as your “friend” to assist your child in seeing school as a positive. Refrain from bringing up
anything you may view as “negative” in front of your child. (I.E: If _____ hits you again
today, you hit them back.) Most likely the teacher has been handling it, if you want to
confirm with the teacher, then I motivate you to do so.
3. Allow your child to bring a “lovey” (a comfort toy of their own)
3. Even though most centers do not allow toys from home (to prevent children fights) they do
allow “loveys”. A lovey Is typically a stuffed toy/ cloth that brings comfort to the child when
needed. Helps remind them of home.
4. Pack essentials (The center should provide this list) the night before
The center should provide you with a list of items necessary for your child to have in their
cubby/ classroom. Typically, this list consists of a water bottle, nap time items, sunscreen,
etc. Be sure to pack these items the night before in a backpack as the morning can get crazy
as it is! I mean, you’re a mom. I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of crazy mornings. Save
yourself the stress.
5. Give your child’s teacher any updates
Lastly, give your child’s teacher updates! If your child only slept 3 hours the night before,
didn’t eat much for dinner, child had been crying saying their side hurts but you see nothing
wrong, etc. In most cases, the teacher can help you out by making sure your child gets a
proper nap or even enlighten you with some knowledge on why your child’s side hurts
based on past experience. I couldn’t tell you how many cases I had where parents didn’t
know what to do with their child who has been having diarrhea all day. Communicate with
the teacher, you could use their insight.
……..
We hope you enjoyed this article from Kris Rosales. If you have any thoughts or questions please leave it in the comments or just send us an email.
Thank you so much!