The Big Transition

Child care services that operate on a year-round schedule need to make plans for moving children, and their parents, to the next classroom.  The more organized and planned for the easier it will be for children, parents, and staff members.

If the center moves children once a year, for example at the beginning of the traditional public school year – September – the process is already anticipated by parents and staff.  And, usually an entire class of children will be moved together.   For parents this alleviates the anxiety that their child will face this unknown classroom alone.  The "buddy system" can really make transitions much easier.

Imagine you going to a strange place and having no one to share your sadness or happiness with!  It’s like that for children, but perhaps a little more difficult because their social skills have not yet fully developed.

However many child care centers, daycare centers, and Head Start programs move children at a prearranged time convenient for the program rather than the child’s particular needs.  Examples of this are when the administration may use the child’s birthday as a moving date or the date when the public funding will no longer pay for a specified age category.   These arbitrary moving dates may present real challenges for the classroom teacher and parents.

Regardless of the timing of a child’s from one class to another, it is important to include all parties involved in the decision making process.   Having a staff team meeting with the current teachers and the prospective teachers allows for a detailed information exchange specific to this child’s needs.   It allows everyone to an opportunity for each team member to voice concerns and offer suggestions to make the transition as easy as possible.   After the team meeting has taken place, and documented for the child’s file, it is a wonderful idea to invite the parents to a parent/teacher conference to discuss the move.   Get down to details here.  When will this happen?  How long will the child spend in the classroom each day?  Who will go with the child?  What is the new schedule?  What, if any, are the new rules and expectations for the parents?  

It is at this time that parents share their worries about a transition and together with the teachers are able to create a realistic transition plan.  The staff should take great pains to answer all FAQ’s at the beginning of the conference remembering that a parent may not know the questions to ask.   By carefully answering all questions the staff will create a very positive relationship during this conference.  Carefully listening to parents is a very powerful tool.  And, while teachers have gone through many transitions, it is a good idea to always remind the team that it is not unusual for the transition to be much easier for the young child than for the first time parent.  

At the conclusion of this important conference it is important to make sure the parent realizes that this transition is one of many transitions that come during the child’s school life.  It will not be the last. A loving teacher can reassure young parents that it is their child’s turn to grow…just a little.   Acknowledging the sadness and happiness that go hand in hand in growing up is a lifelong process.