Settling Infants

[dulciean]

hello. Am wanting to ask what strategies others have successfully used in order to help new babies and young toddlers to settle into their new routine at a Centre. I am working in the baby's room ATM an its pretty hectic as they mostly haven't been in care before. I am using music ( same CD's at the same times of day) lots of cuddles and soothing of course, and engaging them in activities. Are there any other tricks of the trade I don't know about?

[Lorina]

Hi Dulciean,

Is there an orientation period for the child before they begin at the centre? At my centre before the child begins (two weeks before) we try and encourage the parent to bring their child a few times a week to come and play for a couple of hours a day (the parent has to stay as well). This really makes a big difference as the child begins to interact with the other children in the room, get use to the routine and become familiar with the carers. So when it's time to start they are typically settled in. There might be a few tears during drop off but usually the child settles quickly. We even do this in the babies room and it works well (most of the time).

,
L.A

[fchaudari76]

In my centre in Bahrain when a child began we would do what L.A said pretty much.
For the first few days the parent could come and be in the classroom and then next few days they would sit out of sight then the next few days they would not stay but go and leave the child for just a few hours ... if the child settled it was fine if not we continued with them increasing their time they left the child at the centre.
Took time and my Director used to not be overly happy with how long it took to settle the child, but some children need it and it is easier doing this so when the child stays the full day they are happy & settled rather than have a parent drop the child and have the poor child screaming and crying and uphappy all day. That becomes a negative experience for the child and it will just cause probs + the parents were super happy with their child being settled this way

[dulciean]

thankyou both for the responses. I felt that the babies/toddlers were so distressed because they have never previously been separated ( as in Ever ! ) from their parents. now suddenly they are spending 8 hours in the Centre. its so upsetting to see them so inconsolable. Perhaps my Director can mention the 'staggered' approach, as I agree that this way is traumatic. poor little things...

[fchaudari76]

I find this approach more "humane" ... its less stress on the child (& parent!) ... I would def mention this approach to your Director. No harm in trying new things I say.
In my last centre they didn't really like this approach and it was more a drop & leave your child they will be fine.... I usually used to tell parents to do a 1/2 day to begin with and we would go from there... I was dealing which older children though 2.5 to 4 yr olds but with younger ones I DEF recommend taking time to settle them, it pays off as you will have a very happy bunch of kiddies in a months time

[dulciean]

hi fefe
I highly agree with that- it is only natural that a softer introduction to care will help the babies adjust. I did mention it to my director today, and her response was most of our families needed care ASAP as mum is returning to work immediately. The socio-economics of the area the Centre is in means people have huge mortgages and need to go back to work. SO the babies are being subjected to the 'drop & run' approach. not the best situation, but it seems after a couple of weeks they are settling in easier. still feel for the poor little souls!

[fchaudari76]

Yeah i think where u can use a staggered approach do so if not well the kids settle eventually but it is just a tad more stressful on them