These will make the transition easier for both you and your young human.

1 – Ease into it

Before you return to work, spend short periods at the centre a number of times. This gets your child familiar with the new surroundings, including the other children and staff.

Just play with them for a bit on the first visit. You can then leave them to do things with the educators for modest periods on subsequent visits. However...

2 – Don’t just disappear

As tempting as it is to just go while they’re distracted and not noticing where you are, thereby allowing you to avoid the inevitable tears, it’s better that you say goodbye so they learn to trust that you will come back.

In conjunction with easing into it, you can gradually extend the time you are away on each occasion.

3 – You can always call

You need time to adjust as well. There’s nothing wrong with making a phone call to find out how your child is getting along without you being there.

4 – Be patient

You need to be patient with every other aspect of parenting, so getting your child adjusted to the idea of spending their day in an early childhood centre shouldn’t be treated any different.

Some children settle in quickly, others need more time. What you don’t want to do is rush or force it on them. Let them feel that it’s an enjoyable experience.

5 – Choose a small centre

Early learning centres with limited places like the three run by BCS are much more interested in adapting to your child’s needs than the other way around.

Give as much information as you can and they’ll try to do things in a similar way to what you do at home. 

BCS also say their small sizes mean that they have a cohesive team that helps your child develop secure attachments.

6 – Look at the curriculum

BCS’s Ginninderra ECC has an early morning and late afternoon routine called family grouping.

During these periods they all spend time in the toddler’s room. This allows siblings to be together for a while and the babies love seeing the older children.

7 – Right care for each age

The staff at Bruce ECC note that babies want love and comforting so they don’t miss their parents as much. 

The toddlers like activities and attention such as singing, dancing and games.

The pre-schoolers want to play with each other outside.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT

Belconnen Community Service is a not-for-profit organisation with a variety of programs and facilities for all ages and abilities.

Their three early childhood centres offer other benefits like exposure to multiple cultures and languages “which helps their brains grow and develop” says their communications manager Simone Penkethman.

For more tips, or to find out more about the benefits of BCS’s small early childhood centres (with limits of 45-62 places), visit www.bcsact.com.au/programs-and-services/childcare.