Changing to a new DC - 2 year old

ECT2012 · March 2014

We are moving in two weeks, and have to switch J's day care. She is very happy at our current DC - no problems at drop off, very much in a routine, loves her teachers.

I'm completely dreading the switch! Does anyone have any advice/experience with switching day cares with a 2 year old? Should I take her to the new place once to let her see it? Take her more than once? Any good ideas on how to talk to her about it?

TIA!

vvvvvfee · March 2014

we had to switch my DS's daycare with zero notice (long story) when he was 15 months. we didn't really talk about it with him since he was so little, but we did send him for several half-days at the new place before he started full-time. if you are able to do that i think it helps with the transition a little.

litzo27 · March 2014

I sent my kids to daycare shortly before age 2 (they were with a nanny before). I did talk to them a lot before and hyped up the experience of "new daycare/new toys/new friends...". The week before he started full time I did a slow transition. Two days we went there together and played for a couple of hours. Another day I left him for a couple of hours. Two more days I did half days. But they were going from nanny to daycare. If she is already used to the concept of a daycare I think the transition can be shortened to a couple of days. I would do one day you go together and play for a while and leave. Another couple of days you do half days and then transition fully.

groovygrl · March 2014

If you have the flexibility I would do a visit and then do some half days like pp said. We moved when my twins were 2.5 and so the first time at the new place we came & stayed maybe an hour, prob not even, to let them see it, meet the teachers, get a sense...then b/c at that time I was WFH, I was able to drop them off for shorter days. It gave me a chance to see how I liked it and they could adjust. After a couple of those, we started going to full days.
GL, it will probably be easier than you think.

ASmallWonder · March 2014

My oldest switched at 10 months, 15 months, 17 months and 26 months (don't ask lol). He did totally fine every time. We didn't do a trial run or anything, just gave a little extra time to ourselves that first morning in case he needed a little extra attention but it was always fine

MamaAllison · March 2014

We had to switch a little before 2 as well. She has been fine, but I will say she NEVER cried at her old DC at drop off and she did consistently at the new one for two months, and still will every now and then. She LOVES DC but I think it is mostly due to her age and increased awareness of the situation.

Teresa1896 · March 2014

We had to switch at 2 as well. Our DCP had an accident at her home (kid fell into the pool, ugh) and we literally had no notice that we'd need a new provider.
I took dd with me to visit both of the daycare homes I was considering. I wanted to see them interact with her and her with them. She just jumped right in with them and did great. We didnt talk about it too much, just that she would be going to Becky's house now and would have new friends to play with. She started on a regular schedule (she only attends 3 days/wk) with the one we chose and we haven't looked back since.
The weird timing and situation in general was really hard on me, but dd just took it in stride and adapted so quickly. I got her a new nap mat to take to daycare, which helped her have something special to aid the transition.

snicksnack · March 2014

I am in the same situation we just moved and he will be two in June. I am holding off until June that is when our current center switches rooms so he would be switching anyway. I think he will do fine I am not really concerned he took well to the center when he started in Jan. At that point in time I did not know we are moving. Now for my 4-year old I am a little concnered but we have been telling her about it and I am going to take her there so she can meet her new teacher etc...

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