School Transitions

Roughly 3.5 years ago, I chose a daycare for Ian, my infant, my first baby.  I struggled to pick one, but found one that seemed like it had the right combination of care, good and happy teachers, a loving and competent director, great facilities (including a gym!) and convenience (close to our home and highway).  And when Sammy was born, it seemed natural to put her in the infant room to be cared for by the same teachers that cared for Ian.  But things have changed.  The director left and after many many months, a new director was hired.  The teachers weren't happy with the new director and turnover was high.  And I wasn't happy with the lack of communication from the new director.  But I figured I would stick around as long as Ian's teacher stayed since he was doing really well under her care.  But then I got the notice that she was leaving too.  So it was time to make the jump.  I knew that we were going to need a different school in 2 years anyway when Ian entered the public school system so we just transitioned earlier than I had originally planned.

So far, the transition has gone fairly smoothly.  Luckily, one of his classmates from his old school had also transitioned to the new school and so he had an instant friend.  But Ian is struggling a bit with the new rules, which are more rigid than his old school.  They provide lunch at the new school and so he's really been missing his favorite sandwich with sunflower seed butter and raspberry jelly.  And they provide a blanket and sheet for nap time and so no more Lightning McQueen pillow and blanket.  It's a distraction.  And his new teachers are not going to tolerate his tantrums.  He's almost 4 and so it's really just time to stop.  He can communicate with words very well and so there is no need to behave that way. 

We were thinking about ways to reward Ian for good behavior instead of just taking things away from him (like his stuffed animals).  The sticker chart worked so well for Ian when he was potty training so we decided to use one to reward good behavior/lack of tantrums.  So far, it's working.  He didn't have any tantrums at school today and we rewarded him with 2 stickers.  He earned a third sticker by helping Sammy take off her socks and shoes.  So cute!

Sammy's transition at the new school has been a breeze.  She seems really happy and I like her teachers.  So far, at 20 months of age, she hasn't had any tantrums and I'm crossing my fingers it will stay that way.

The great thing about this new school is that they provide after-school care for kids in the public school system.  They provide transportation from the public school back to the center.  This is a really great option for us as Ian will have a place to go after school and we will be able to pick up both kids in the same place (despite them being 2 years apart in age).  So Sammy can continue to have full time daycare until she's ready to enter the public school system too.  And the school can be really flexible too.  If my mother-in-law wants to spend time with the kids after school but doesn't want to do it 5 days a week, she can do 2 days and the kids can go to the daycare center the other 3 days.  Awesome.  I'm not sure if this is what we'll end up doing, but it's nice to know that they're in a school that has this as an option.