5 Tips For A Successful Transition Into Foster Care Parenting
January 18, 2019
What To Expect When Fostering A Child With Learning Disabilities And Developmental Challenges
January 31, 2019
Becoming a foster parent to a toddler or preschooler can be a rewarding experience. However, it comes with it’s own unique challenges — especially if you work outside the home. Just as your foster child begins to settle into their new living situation, daycare adds another wrinkle to the daily routine.
The first day of daycare is a transition for any child, from meeting new caregivers and friends, to learning new rules and exploring an unfamiliar environment. As foster parents, you can ease the transition and help prepare your foster child ahead of time with these simple tips.
- Go over your new schedule.
Sit with your foster child and explain to them the changes that will take place. Have a written schedule with pictures, so that they have a visual understanding as to when they will wake up, how long they will be at daycare, and when they should expect you to arrive to pick them up. Remind them again and again, so that they are mentally prepared for the new experience ahead.
2. Allow for time to adjust.
Start getting your foster child ready for daycare a few days in advance by sticking to an early bedtime and wake-up time. Adjusting the sleep schedule will help your foster child to physically prepare for the change ahead. Follow the regular nightly routine, such as taking a bath and reading a story together, to keep things consistent. Have them help pick out their clothes and pack their lunch the night before, so that they feel part of the process.
3. Visit the daycare.
Another important step is to visit the daycare at least once before the child’s first day, to help alleviate any anxiety. This will allow them to get a feel for the place while they have the comfort of you nearby. Let them interact with the caregivers they will see regularly, so that they will recognize them the next time they go. Encourage them to navigate the entire place, including any outdoor play areas, so that they have something to look forward to when they return.
4. Make a special purchase.
Make a big deal out of buying something special for your foster child to get them excited about their first day of daycare. Just as you would for the first day of school, let them pick out a backpack to store their lunchbox and other items needed for daycare. Consider adding a stuffed animal or a safety blanket for security.
5. Help your foster child settle in.
Arrive at the daycare facility early, so that you aren’t rushed. Ask your foster child if there is something they would like to show you before you leave in five minutes. This gives them a short, set amount of time to transition between being with you and being with their caregiver. The key is to not linger. Make sure goodbyes are short and sweet, and if they still get upset, leave without guilt. Know that you put your foster child in safe hands. Most of the time, they will stop crying the moment you leave the room, and as any caregiver will tell you, staying only makes matters more difficult for everyone involved.
Prepare your foster child for daycare with these steps. Keep in communication about the entire process, so that your child knows what to expect, and slowly transition from the comfort of you—the foster parent—to their caregiver at daycare. Validate your foster child’s feelings during the process, and soon you will settle into a daily routine you’re both comfortable with.
Every child needs and deserves to grow up safe and protected from abuse and neglect, and caring foster parents offer children support and stability when they need it most. At Camelot Care Centers, we specialize in higher-level foster care for children and adolescents that need extra support. We partner with our foster parents/homes to provide trauma informed care and additional services, including in-home counseling, parent support and training, tele-psychiatry, and therapeutic mentoring, to maintain children at the least restrictive, yet most appropriate level of care. Camelot Care Centers (“Camelot”) is a Child Welfare Agency licensed by the State of Illinois, a member of the Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY), and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).
