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Bright Horizons at National Landing
An infant classroom at Bright Horizons at National Landing.
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Bright Horizons at National Landing
The art studio at Bright Horizons at National Landing.
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Bright Horizons at National Landing
A K-Prep classroom at Bright Horizons at National Landing.
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Playground equipment at Bright Horizons at National Landing.
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Bright Horizons at National Landing
Movement and gross motor skills equipment at Bright Horizons at National Landing.
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Bright Horizons at National Landing
A pre-school classroom at Bright Horizons at National Landing.
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Bright Horizons at National Landing
The Writing Center at Bright Horizons.
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A toddler classroom at Bright Horizons at National Landing.
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The exterior entrance to Bright Horizons at National Landing.
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Diversity is valued at Bright Horizons.
Transitioning to child care brings understandable uncertainty and emotions for everyone — and it’s all considerably more heightened during a pandemic as adults adjust to evolving procedures and work arrangements.
No amount of planning and organizing can fully prepare you for the mixture of emotions associated with the first day of child care. Many parents find themselves unexpectedly weepy — even beyond the first day. Some are undone by a child who clings to their leg at drop-off and others feel pangs when a child transfers without fussing at all. It’s unpredictable and emotional — and it can take time to adjust. What can you do?
Trusted by parents throughout the DMV and beyond, Bright Horizons®, a leading global provider of high-quality child care and early education, shares some important tips for parents starting child care.
Recognize your emotions. Hard to believe, but separation anxiety is hereditary — part of our biological programming to protect vulnerable children. We may not be facing quite the same survival struggles experienced by our prehistoric forebears, but we do have the same protective instincts. When those feelings strike, remember the hours you put into searching and choosing your high-quality center. That will help put those feelings into perspective.
Be confident in your work/life decision. Working IS taking care of your family. So it’s not only 100% okay for you to work while you raise children; it’s good for both of you. Learning about the positive impact of early care and education will prepare you for questions from well-meaning family members and friends who may have made different choices. It will also help you feel confident about your decision and know it’s a positive one for you and your child.
Build relationships with child care teachers and caregivers. The importance of your partnerships with teachers and the director can’t be overstated — it’s the key to your positive experience and an important way to minimize stress.
Prepare for new safety measures. Masked teachers and temperature checks can surprise children who are unprepared for pandemic-era safety measures. Most children adapt quickly. But learning about practices and helping your child get familiar before day one can be a game-changer for all of you.
Find out about family partnership programs at your center. Feeling concerned about something? Ask. Open communication is key. Take advantage of open-door policies to talk to directors, teachers, and other staff members (virtually or, if available, in person); engage in regular parent-teacher conferences; and join into relationship-building events and volunteer opportunities when available.
Develop drop-off routines. Routines help young children — who do not have a well-developed sense of time — create a rhythm for their day. Schedule drop-off at roughly the same time; sing the same song on your way to check-in; wave goodbye from the same window. Ask the caregiver/teacher for ideas. The routines don’t have to be rigid, but they’re important for smoothing those first tentative days and minimizing many emotional challenges — yours and your child’s.
Prepare for pick-up. The big surprise for so many parents is a child who doesn’t meltdown at drop-off, but rather at pick-up before going home. Here’s the good news: that’s also totally normal. A little routine can help here, too — perhaps the same snack to look forward to on the way home. Just know the meltdown isn’t because your child isn’t happy to see you — it’s a swell of emotions and the inability to process yet another transition during the day.
Early Education Isn’t What We Do — It’s Who We Are
At Bright Horizons, we know quality care and learning can be life-changing for children and parents, and we’ve created a research-based curriculum that’s designed by educators and delivered by highly trained, professional teachers to engage children and support parents. Our goal is to provide environments that are great places for childhood and prepare children for success in school and life.
Located in Potomac Yard Arlington, our newest location, Bright Horizons at National Landing opens on April 5 and is enrolling in all programs! Learn more at http://bit.ly/NL-AL0321.
