Reassuring families

Whilst doing our best to settle new arrivals we should also think of how the parent may be feeling about leaving their child in the care of someone else. They may be hesitant and unsure if their child is upset or crying, or they may be experiencing feelings of guilt or sadness about returning to work. Regardless of what their circumstances may be, we must consider their feeling and observe them, not just the child, for signs of distress.

For further information on reassuring families you can read these resources:

Greeting children and families

Helping new children settle in.

If our manner is calm and reassuring during separation then this may help the parent also to be calm and reassured. Having a certain routine at separation time can provide structure for both parent and child that can make the situation much easier to cope with, this can be as simple as waving at a nearby window or gate. Parents should also feel welcomed, and mustn’t be hurried or pressured to hand over their child and leave.

Sometimes interacting with their child for short periods of time can help the parent in the separation process and allow them to separate when they feel the time is right for them and their child. Some parents may find it hard to leave, and suggestions can be made in a parent handbook to give them strategies for separating from their child.

One thing to remember is the way that we greet the families when they first arrive is important, because it will reflect on how the parents and children are feeling about using the centre. A warm, sincere and positive welcome is important, as the child needs to build up trust in their caregiver. This trust is mostly built from the first time the child meets the caregiver, and is developed from the trust the parent has in the caregiver.

In your notebook, write a list of 5 actions you could take when greeting children and families to help minimise separation anxiety.

To make sure you have completed all the activities for this section, you can use the Activity Checklist (Word 92Kb). You can print the checklist to keep in your notebook.