Adaptation Plan
The First Day at Sluníčková Preschool… or How New Children Adapt to Our Childcare Groups
Starting at a childcare group is a wonderful and important step not only for the child but for the entire family. Together, you're entering a new phase, and rest assured that much joy awaits you along the way.
We'll be right by your side and there to support you during this "transition period," built on the mutual trust between you and the preschool.
Children often mirror our own feelings, so look forward—together with your child—to everything that comes with starting at the preschool: a new group, new friends, fun, and many other new activities. For the first few days, it's a good idea to allow extra time—get up a little earlier, pack everything your child needs, and arrive at Andělská Preschool in a relaxed and positive mood.
The first day in the preschool group is, above all, a big challenge for parents. It often happens that parents find the new feeling of "separation" from their child harder to handle than the child does.
We'll build mutual trust gradually. Our caregivers and teachers are professionals with plenty of experience who are prepared to help children adjust. Even if you say goodbye to a crying child, it doesn't mean the child will cry all day—we won't let that happen. After you leave, the caregivers will entertain the child, engage them with toys, games, or activities with other children, and naturally divert their attention away from feeling homesick.
The length of the adjustment period varies for each child. For some, it may take a few days; for others, several weeks. Sometimes a child adjusts without any problems at all, only to start resisting coming to daycare a month later. So please be patient, calm, and consistent.
Together, we'll handle everything beautifully. During the adjustment period, we'll keep you informed about how your child is doing and what activities we're doing together; we'll also send you photos to brighten your day.
The first week is the most unfamiliar—you, your child, and we're all getting used to things. Everyone deserves huge praise for how we're navigating this wonderful time and creating a positive, calm, and safe space for your child's continued development.
Adaptation Plan – Schedule
Before Starting – Preparatory Phase
Before your child starts attending, we'll invite you to an adaptation meeting where we'll discuss your child's needs and what type of adaptation process you'd like to try. If your child is insecure and shy and has never been away from their parents before, we recommend a slower adaptation process. If your child is fearless, has siblings, and is looking forward to joining the group, we can proceed with a faster adaptation. However, everything depends on you and your needs. You'll also be informed about operational matters—how everything works here and what you can look forward to.
Adjustment Period with Parents
At Sluníčková Školička, parents are welcome to stay for as long as their child needs to adjust; the recommended duration is between 1 day and 2 weeks. If you feel you need a longer adjustment period, individual arrangements can be made. The adjustment period with parents takes place daily for 1 hour, with arrival between 8 and 9 a.m. During this time, your child will have the opportunity to play and explore the classroom, have a snack, and see how things work at the preschool. In other words, they'll experience several of the routine changes that occur throughout the day. It's very important that you, the parents, help us with this adjustment period. While your child is in the children's group, you are responsible for your child; the caregivers will gradually build a relationship with them, but please understand that this process is more difficult while you are present. Please give your child your full attention whenever they need it. Do not hide from them just to test whether they will look for you. It is very important for your child to sense your calm and peace of mind. Reassure them that you yourself believe they are safe with us.
Adjustment Without a Parent
On D-Day, explain to your child what to expect before you arrive. Reassure them, for example, that they'll get to play for a while, that you'll take care of your business, and that you'll come back for them. Agree on a pickup time with the caregiver so that it matches the information your child has been given. It can easily be just 10–20 minutes, but no more than 2 hours. If the child is coping well with the adjustment, they can stay until lunchtime. We'll agree together on when to start full-day attendance based on the situation. Allow your child to bring their favorite toy, such as a stuffed animal. Having a point of reference—a familiar person or object—in an unfamiliar situation reduces uncertainty and any fear of the new environment.
If your child is having difficulty adjusting, we'll call you.
Handing Your Child Over to the Caregiver - Don't prolong the morning goodbye unnecessarily, and don't make your child feel sad about being separated. If the child cries, be gentle but firm. Children are very sensitive to their parents' emotions and insecurities, and this can sometimes make it harder for them. By prolonging the goodbye, you prolong the child's crying. However, do not leave secretly, without saying goodbye.
It's also not a good idea to promise rewards like, "If you don't cry, then…" and it's important to make promises you can keep (I'll come back after snack time, after lunch…). If one parent finds it difficult to drop off the child, it's better to have the other parent do it for a few days or weeks.
Handing Children Over to Parents—When handing the child over to the parents, the caregivers will describe how the child experienced their time in the childcare group, and it is then up to the parents to decide if they want to ask any additional questions. You may find that once you leave after a nerve-wracking scene, your crying child suddenly calms down and goes off to play happily. Praise the child for handling their time at the group well. Offer positive encouragement. Highlight their positive experiences.
Picking Up Your Child — When you pick up your child, they may react by crying. This is a completely natural reaction. Above all, don't make your child feel sorry for having to be alone without you during the day—that definitely won't help them. Be sensitive and patient. Talk about what your child did during the day and what new things they learned.
Reassure your child that you're not "dumping" them at preschool. Explain that you love them and that they're not going to preschool because you don't have time for them or because you don't want to be at home with them. Everyone has their responsibilities—you have your job, and your child has "preschool."
Individualized Approach
We provide extra individualized care to new children. We do not force children to participate in group activities or to eat. An individualized approach to children, a sensitive welcome, a calm demeanor, tolerance, and empathy for the child's situation are essential. It is important to win the child over, engage them, inspire them, capture their interest, and help them adjust to the new situation so that they accept the caregiver as another person in whom they will gradually come to trust.
We offer consultations whenever you need them—in person with the teachers or the principal—728 060 615, email: jana@andelska.cz. We send informational text messages to parents of new children ourselves so they won't worry. Likewise, we will reach out to you if we need to consult with you.
The adjustment process is challenging not only for the child but also for the parents themselves, who may experience various concerns. The better you are able to manage your own concerns, the easier it will be for your child to adjust. So please don't hesitate to stay in touch with us and ask any questions you may have at any time.
Tips for parents on how to support a smooth adjustment process:
Please keep in mind—the entire adaptation process is a kind of "transformational process" for your child, for you, and for your family—the goal of this process is the next step in your child's journey toward independence and in building their own identity and integrity. As parents, you have tremendous power to positively support this process and be a great source of support for your child. Essentially, the entire adjustment period is very much about the parents—taking "that one step" where we earn your trust, and you, in turn, pass that peace of mind and trust on to your child, who will find plenty of friends, adventures, and kind teachers with whom they'll form a wonderful bond, and together we'll all spend a pleasant and fulfilling time.
TEN TIPS FOR PARENTS
1. Be a source of support for your child and provide them with a sense of security.
2. Pack a comfort item (e.g., a favorite toy).
3. Stick to the same routines—wake up at the same time, arrive at preschool at the same time, and have the same goodbye routine.
4. Keep goodbyes brief.
5. Be sensitive and patient.
6. Communicate with the childcare staff.
7. Praise your child for handling their time in the group well and motivate them positively.
8. Don't let yourself be swayed; be consistent.
9. Never punish your child for having trouble adjusting.
10. Don't admit regretfully that you're also sad and that you'll miss them; instead, praise them and be enthusiastic.