Kids & Company Blog

Back to Work: Transition

We asked moms and dads what they want to know about returning to work after a leave with little ones and they delivered! We broke all the questions we received into themes and have addressed them in this 11-part blog series on Back to Work in partnership with Mama Coach.

Part 1/11: TRANSITIONING INTO CHILDCARE

Themes: How can you best prepare in the weeks leading up to the transition into childcare? What will help ease the transition and do you recommend spending time there together and/or going for increasing amounts of time alone? What can be done at home to ensure both environments are positive places for my little one?

Kate Macdonald, RN & Mama Coach: A gradual transition to childcare is the easiest way to help your child. Giving up time with your little one before you go back to work is so hard! We want to soak up every second with them. Just thinking about it can bring you to tears. Providing some time for your baby to get used to their new environment before the first official day can be helpful. A staggered entry will give your child time to adjust. Start with an hour or two, working up to a half day, and then a full day. This gradual process will take stress off the "official" first full day. You can bring a lovie or blanket from home that they can use during nap time which will help them sleep. When they get home from daycare you can fill their buckets with snuggles and play.

Kids & Company: It is best to have your child care arrangements settled well in advance of your return to work date so that you can speak positively to your child about the changes coming and you can also arrange a transition plan with your provider. Every child and every parent is different but as Mama Coach recommends a staggered approach is a great way to begin – start by visiting with your little one and being with them as they explore the new environment. Use this time to connect with the caregivers and give them a personalized overview of your child. When we have capacity at our centres, we offer that you can leave for short periods to start to build the understanding in your little one that you will always return. We suggest avoiding early morning or near pick-up time as that will be busier and a bit more unstructured; plus participating in nap time, eating and structured activities will build expectations better.

See all the topics here: 

Part 1: Transition
Part 2: Illness
Part 3: Sleep and routine
Part 4: Adjusting
Part 5: Eating
Part 6: Friends and bullies
Part 7: Multiple children
Part 8: Guilt
Part 9: Timing
Part 10: Separation anxiety
Part 11: Weaning

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About Mama Coach

The Mama Coach is a team of Registered Nurses who are committed to making motherhood easier. As Registered Nurses, we have the skills and the training to give your family the quality care that you deserve. We are all Mamas too. We have been in your shoes and want to share our knowledge and want to make you feel incredibly supported. Our programs are based on science + empathy and support. We are Registered Nurses, infant and child sleep coaches, lactation counsellors, Prenatal Educators as well as CPR instructors. All packages include lactation counselling and intensive support. We offer a variety of services to help families transition into parenting which include: In home/group prenatal classes, Postpartum visits, Healthy beginnings to help support you and your newborn, sleep coaching from 3 months and up, allergy navigation and CPR.

Posted on: Monday October 1st, 2018

Posted by: Melissa Sawatzky