Easing Transition from daycare to camp to preschool

[Anonymous]

We have to pull 3.5 yr old from current daycare due to a change in staff/safety issue. DS has been there since age 1.

The timing is off so we are putting DS in camp for the summer and then into his new preschool in September. It’s a lot of change for a little kid. He is mostly worried about his friends, we promised lots of play dates.

What can we do/say to make it an easier transition? We are attending orientations, trying to talk it up but I’m not sure how much DS understands that he isn’t going back to “his school”.

Experienced parents?

[Anonymous]

There's not much you can do, other than
(1) Explain clearly what is going to happen
(2) Act like you are excited and happy about what is going to happen
(3) Arrange play dates with his old friends

It may be hard, you may see that your kid is a little more anxious than usual, you might see more meltdowns, and he will almost certainly be more tired at the end of the day.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, when we moved one of our kids, he was glad to see his friends on playdates but wanted nothing to do with the old school (where he had been happy, but we had seen problems, hence the move).

So if you were considering playdates that involved picking up the friend from preschool, be aware that this may be a problem.

[Anonymous]

Not an experienced parent, but just letting you know we are in the exact same situation. We've been going to the new student play dates at our DS's new school, and he's actually really excited for it (maybe he thinks his new school will just be play dates with the parents and friends and treats?) Anyway, just know you aren't alone!