We're finally in to the new daycare!

[countthestars]

If you've been following my story, we had some issues at our daycare center a couple of months ago. We didn't have many other options, but we put our names down at the only other local center that made sense for us commute-wise that we felt comfortable sending our kids to. We were told that we would likely not be in until Spring of '17 so I had been looking around for in homes/cobbled together options but hadn't decided what to do.

Last Monday the new center called and said that they had a M/Tu/Fri spot for both kids - did I want it? I said yes but wasn't sure what I would do with that schedule since I work M-Th, but figured we could maybe make it work. Friday morning I got a call that they had spots open in both rooms we needed and we could sign up for full time or the 4 days. !!!!!!!!

We start the Tuesday after Labor Day. New school asked if we wanted to do a trial day before - I'm thinking it might not make sense with the long weekend to leave them there for a few hours on Thurs or Fri and then have off until Tuesday. I was considering just staying at our place through next Thursday and visiting with DD on Friday morning so she could see her new classroom and meet the teacher. Thoughts?

Also, any advice on when to tell DD and how to prep her for this? She is shy and anxious and has one friend in particular at her current school that she is very attached to. When this friend isn't there, her days aren't as smooth. She'll make new friends, right? She'll be okay? She just turned 3. I actually think the timing is probably good because there will be some other new kids starting preschool at the new center right around the same time.

[lilac05]

Congrats! That must be such a relief!

Your DD will be fine. There may be an adjustment period for it, but the more positive/calm you stay about it, the better she will probably do. I probably wouldn't worry about a trial day. IMO, they're mostly for the parents. Kids don't have a good concept of time, so being there a few hours vs the whole day probably wouldn't make a difference anyway. I would tell her that she's going to go to a new school, her teacher will be X, and then give her two things she'll really like about the new place. If she's kind of anxious about it, you can tell her all of the things that are similar between the two places.

She may even surprise you and take to it right away. You just never know! Hope it all goes smoothly for all of you!

[kershnic]

That's awesome! Congrats! And yes, starting at the beginning of the school year at a time when other new kids may be starting also is good timing. I would want to do the trial for your DD and then talk it up over the weekend - how much fun it was, what you saw, reminding her of something she really liked there, etc.

[pooh8402]

Yay that's awesome!

[fashionx]

That's great!

I would probably skip the trial day too, given its before a long weekend. If plan to take them in early on day one though in case you need extra time.

[thebreakfastclub]

We just moved, so my son had to leave the daycare where he's been for 3+ years.

I put him in a new center, and then the location really ended up not working for me. The center was very small, resulting in him spending a lot of time with bigger kids, which just didn't work well IMO. So, after 2 weeks, he switched again to a closer place that has been a much better fit.

Despite the rocky start, the transition has gone well. We picked out a new backpack for DS (ninja turtles, his favorite!) to celebrate him starting a new school, which he adores. He takes the backpack each day with his blanket and a couple of toys from home inside.

[countthestars]

Aug 22, 2016 9:35:57 GMT -5 thebreakfastclub said:

Despite the rocky start, the transition has gone well. We picked out a new backpack for DS (ninja turtles, his favorite!) to celebrate him starting a new school, which he adores. He takes the backpack each day with his blanket and a couple of toys from home inside.

Great idea! Maybe I will take her "back to school shopping" to pick out a lunchbox or backpack or something and a new outfit.

[countthestars]

Follow up question if anyone is still reading - when would you tell DD?

[CloudBee]

Yeah! Incredible how that worked out!

[oceanstbride]

DS started at a new daycare (after moving) last year at the same time. We did a visit (I stayed) for an hour or two the week before. I do think it helped so that he had at least met 2 of the 3 teachers and saw the classroom he was going to be in even though he didn't start going for another week or so.

Good luck!!