Consistency
When your preschooler first attends after-school care, they may not fully grasp this new situation. After an intense day at school with all sorts of new rules and faces, they encounter another new situation at after-school care. Preschoolers sometimes literally seek stability, something familiar. Bringing a stuffed animal or familiar toy can be comforting. A consistent routine, familiar childcare professionals and assistance in navigating the building also help. All of this makes the afternoon predictable for your child.
Older children can grasp new situations more quickly and effectively. However, explaining routines, rules and the layout of the space also provides stability for them.
Introduction
If your child is attending after-school care for the first time, we introduce them to the group. The other children also introduce themselves. If your child requires special care and attention, we discuss with you (and - depending on the age - with your child) in advance how and what info we will share with the other children and their parents.
Buddy
To help your child feel comfortable quickly, we have conversations about home, school, activities and events in the group. We explain our daily routine, so your child knows what to expect. Sometimes, another child can help with this. A buddy who already knows the ins and outs of the group. Also, through the recurring rituals surrounding the fixed afternoon routine, children often feel at home quickly.
We encourage your child to form relationships and friendships with the other children in the group by guiding them in playing with a small group. For children who have been attending after-school care for a while, we encourage them to play with new children and help them.
New school year
At the start of each new school year, we also pay attention to readjusting to after-school care. Children are in a different class at school, perhaps with a different teacher. At after-school care, there may also be changes: a different age group, for instance, new children or children who have moved. So, we reintroduce ourselves to each other, to the group and to the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Adjusting to transitioning to another group
In locations with horizontal groups (children of roughly the same age) instead of vertical groups (children of different ages), children eventually transition to a different age group. Even then, we take the time to let them adjust, for example, by occasionally visiting the new group beforehand.
Because there are quite a few changes for the children: a different space, different children, new toys, and different childcare professionals. If the child was the oldest on the group up to 6 years old, suddenly they are the youngest again. During this transition, we take the time to talk with the child and the parents about the changes and the associated emotions.
Check, check... intake interview!
Perhaps you would like to prepare for the intake interview in advance? This checklist includes topics we can discuss:
- Opening hours
- School pick-up arrangements and how your child will recognize us
- Whether there's before-school care
- Familiar faces
- Your child's development
- Our pedagogical policy
- Food and drinks
- Allergies and dietary requirements
- Medical details and illnesses
- Habits and rituals
- Home and family situation
- School situation
- Information and the parent app
- Parent committee and complaints procedure
- Filling out the child information form
Do you have any questions that come to mind before the interview? Write them down and bring them with you to the intake. We are happy to answer them.
Find a after-school care
Have you become curious? We would like to show you how we help your child develop and have fun with friends. Find a Partou near you and come and meet us!