Changing Centers

wychets

Hello Everyone,

We are switching centers in a few weeks due to our schedules at work changing to a later shift and our current DC closes at 6pm. I found a wonderful center and its located right inside the hospital DH works at. My biggest concern is DD and her reaction to this big change, she has been at the current DC since she was 3mo and she is going on 21mo now. Any advice on how to make the transition smooth? For all of us, but most importantly for DD. TIA!

Nechie122

We changed centers when DD was 14 months (and for similar reasons). I don't really have any advice, but I just wanted to say I felt as exactly as you do; my heart hurt for my baby just thinking about moving her. But you know what? After a week or two, she was fine. She adjusted very quickly; it was on par with "graduating" to a new room, which is always a little tough at first, even now.

Usually DCPs recommend doing some transition/half days if you or your DH can spare the time off work. Otherwise, leaving extra time in the morning and participating a bit in the first activity usually helps ease my DD into things. Good luck! It'll be so worth the convenience!

financialdiva

We switched centers when DS1 was 17 months. I was so stressed out and concerned, and we were switching due to issues with the other center like high turnover and being out of ratio often, among other things.

Anyway, I brought DS1 every time I visited the center, and we would visit his room, probably about 6 times. Then, when we started, i picked him up early, around 2:30 on Monday and Tuesday. He cried. It was hard. They let him walk around with his lovey and paci if he needed it.

By Friday he was his happy self again.

GL

LoCarb

It may be a rough week or two while she adjusts. I would talk it up and mention the new DCP by name and the fun activities she engaged in. Also, I always drop off with a piece of fruit as a distraction.

wychets

Nechie122 said:

We changed centers when DD was 14 months (and for similar reasons). I don't really have any advice, but I just wanted to say I felt as exactly as you do; my heart hurt for my baby just thinking about moving her. But you know what? After a week or two, she was fine. She adjusted very quickly; it was on par with "graduating" to a new room, which is always a little tough at first, even now. Usually DCPs recommend doing some transition/half days if you or your DH can spare the time off work. Otherwise, leaving extra time in the morning and participating a bit in the first activity usually helps ease my DD into things. Good luck! It'll be so worth the convenience!

Thank you so much it means a lot. I actually did schedule to go into work an hour later the week she starts so I generally have to be in at 11 but now I have until 12 which gives us more time to ease the transition.

wychets

financialdiva said:

We switched centers when DS1 was 17 months. I was so stressed out and concerned, and we were switching due to issues with the other center like high turnover and being out of ratio often, among other things. Anyway, I brought DS1 every time I visited the center, and we would visit his room, probably about 6 times. Then, when we started, i picked him up early, around 2:30 on Monday and Tuesday. He cried. It was hard. They let him walk around with his lovey and paci if he needed it. By Friday he was his happy self again. GL

 

Thank you. She starts on the 23rd so I will take her to visit a few times prior to her start time. I thought that would help some.

wychets

LoCarb said:

It may be a rough week or two while she adjusts. I would talk it up and mention the new DCP by name and the fun activities she engaged in. Also, I always drop off with a piece of fruit as a distraction.

Thank you. I have prepared myself for tons of crying at drop off. Probably similiar to when she switched from the infant room to the toddler room. Hopefully it doesn't last too long.