Collin started at the new daycare on Monday (3/9/09). He is one of two boys in the class of 12, with three teachers. Both Erin and I took him to the daycare and helped him get a little more comfortable in his new environment. We played with kitchen play set with one of the other classmates and then with some of the wood block trucks and planes until Collin felt more settled. The teachers are very nice and caring, and did a good job of comforting him when it was time to leave for work. Since the daycare is two blocks from my office I did the Tue, Wed, Fri drop-offs and then pick him up at the end of the day. Collin has been done a good job of adjusting to the drop-off in the mornings as the week progressed; by Friday's drop-off he had the start of a routine down of putting his coat in his cubby, then washing his hands for breakfast snack time. He was still clingy and crying not wanting to be left; although he's now fine with the teacher holding him and comforting him. I've been waiting in the hallway listening (typical nervous parent I guess) to make sure he gets calmed down ok, and he's now quieted down in about 30 seconds. And everyday he's been super happy playing with the other kids at pick-up. We're all quite happy with the new daycare!
One nice thing they do is provide a daily report of the daily activities (big improvement over the 'He had a good day' or the 'Not sure how much he ate, I wasn't here for lunch.' at the last place). His first day's report read:
"Welcome Collin to the Toddler Class! Today, Collin felt sad when mom left but teacher Nenita made him comfortable and he played later. He played horse ride (stick horse) with Kane and Dahlia, then did musical instrument play (musical sticks), then sang childrens songs and played 'Simon Says'. He read some books too, then played playdough after nap time. Great work!"
They also include the time when the napped; 11:56-2:03. And how much he ate; 'alot at lunch'. Plus the times when his diaper was changed.
With one week down; we're all finding the new routine to be a big improvement! We all get ready together in the morning, then commute together on the train up to Seattle. At which point Collin and I drop Erin off at her office (across the street from the train station) on the way to catch the bus to the downtown, then we walk a couple blocks to the daycare. At the end of the day I pick up Collin and we catch a bus (public transit provides a great lesson in patience for the little guy) to Erin's office to get her before heading to train for the ride home. The new routine gives us an additional 2 hours a day with Collin! And Erin and I see each about an hour more each day! Plus, we'll be able drop by to have lunch with him or take an afternoon off to explore the city!
