Have baby looked after: prepare for entry into nursery or arrival at the nanny

It's back to school time for mums and dads too! Your child will experience a new mode of care: the crèche, the nanny, the childminder, the drop-in center or the kindergarten... Whatever the mode of care chosen, the separation with your baby must be do it gradually. To live this stage well, it is necessary to prepare him for this change.

How does a crèche work?

A crèche welcomes children of all ages between 2 months and 3 years old. It has qualified staff (childcare assistants, educators of young children, etc.) and prices are adjusted according to the parents' income.

There are different types of crèches: the public collective crèche, the company crèche in the workplace of salaried parents, the parental crèche, which involves the parents in looking after the children, or the drop-in daycare, which welcomes children from 18 months to 6 years old, the kindergarten, which offers early learning activities and the private micro-nursery... Each has different reception conditions, no do not hesitate to inquire about the terms and conditions!

Crèche places are rare, so we advise future parents to book a place in the crèche of their choice as soon as possible. Some crèches ask to enroll the baby from the 6th month of pregnancy.

How to prepare baby for nursery?

First of all, congratulations to you for finding a baby care method! In some cities, it can be a real obstacle course. Now comes the time of preparation. The first day, it is for the parents and the child to come and discover the environment in which he will evolve: his section, his locker, his bed... and to get to know the childcare assistants and the educators young children.

Tip: respect the requested times because all the staff have made sure to take the time to welcome you.

You will also get to know the other children and your little one's contact person. It is she who will take care of him more: for meals, changing clothes and, most of the time, it is she who will do the "transmissions" to you (when you pick him up in the evening, she tells you about her day, if he slept well, ate well…).

Do not hesitate to ask all your questions: What do you do when a child cries? How is a typical day? What activities are offered…? The team is available to reassure you and answer your doubts. This is important so that you can leave your little one with confidence afterwards.

After a few hours, you leave the crèche, accompanied by your baby.

Book, pacifier, comforter... What to put in the nursery bag?

No question of leaving baby at the crèche without the essential items to accompany his day! Here is the list of essentials to slip into the nursery bag, which you will leave with the staff of the establishment:

Baby adaptation to nursery: progressive stages

In general, the adaptation is done gradually over one to two weeks. On the first day, you will stay with your baby for an hour. The following days, you will leave without it, initially for a short time, which you will gradually increase. The objective is that he becomes familiar with the person who will take care of him.

When the nanny or childcare worker feels that your child is ready, you can leave him for a meal and a nap, then half a day, then a whole day. Here is in detail the course of his first five days at the crèche:

The first day

You stay with your infant for an hour. No rush, keep him in your arms, it's a moment of observation for him and for you.

The second day

You leave your child alone at the nursery for a very short period (about two hours) so that he can discover the environment on his own and get to know the other children.

The third day

After dropping off your little one for a short morning, you meet him to give him the nursery meal (or bottle). An ideal time to discuss and share all his habits: he doesn't like compotes, he is very greedy and never stops eating on his own, he takes time before burping...

The fourth day

He is having his first nap in the community. As a rule, infants get used to naps fairly quickly.

The fifth day

Baby is going to spend a short day at the crèche for the first time with all the highlights: activities, meals, naps, snacks.

A few tips to help baby adapt

To prepare the baby for this new place of life, this period of adaptation is essential. It is also important to reassure the parents and establish a relationship of trust with the staff who will be tasked with looking after the child. Here are a few tips :

Note: we strongly advise against leaving on the run. Imagine his anguish if you suddenly disappear without warning him, while his back is turned? Chances are the separation will be heartbreaking the next time around. Explain to him where you're going, even if you think he doesn't understand. Leave him bie, his comforter, a scarf with your scent, a small photo album with pictures of you and members of his family.

Baby in the crèche: how do you know if it's going well?

Be careful. Crying that persists day after day for long periods of time, mood swings, excessive attachment, unconventional agitation for no valid reason are all signs that should alert you.

If your child is not teething, if he is not sick, his crying may reflect distress, worry, sadness, that he does not can express otherwise. Talk about it with the childcare workers, the nanny, your pediatrician or a childcare consultant.

A psychologist can also intervene within the framework of the crèche. Do not hesitate to ask her if the adaptation is going badly.

Your baby is crying when you leave

It's somewhat normal for your baby to cry during the first separations. Don't be alarmed. The best way to deal with "goodbyes" is to say goodbye quietly. However, be careful not to stay too long. The more hesitant he feels about you, the more difficult it will be for him to leave you.

Advice for parents: agree to part with your baby

For some parents, separation can be difficult! Gone are the days of merging with your infant. You must approach it with confidence, it is essential. Prepare yourself psychologically to leave your child in other hands. The more serene you are, the better he will experience this adaptation.

You must learn to regain your autonomy. She was linked to the rhythm of her baby: she must now invest herself again in her daily life as an active person and accept to live separated from him for a day.

The adaptation period can be spread over a week or fifteen days. Whatever your wish, or your availability, you must comply with the rules of the crèche and accept the terms of the adaptation requested.

This is very important to establish a good relationship with the team that will take care of your child. Plan this adaptation time in your maternity leave. It's a moment that should not be underestimated.