Episode 12 Show Notes
In this month’s episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Katie Yancich, a mom of 2 and Director at the Primrose School of Learning in Leesburg, VA, about making daycare transitions easier. Katie has spent over 15 years in Early Childhood Education, and she loves working with children, families, and teachers to make sure that everyone is in a learning environment where they can grow and be successful. Since becoming a parent herself, Katie has learned firsthand (and truly understands now) what parents are looking for when it comes to quality programs for their children – not only ones that will be supportive of their learning experiences today, but for the future, too.
In our conversation, Katie and I are discussing the process of making daycare transitions smoother for babies, children, and their families. Whether it’s understanding what questions to ask during the school touring process, fostering a strong relationship between teachers and parents, or sharing tips to ease your baby’s transition, this episode is packed with practical advice.
It’s important to remember this is a new experience, and it may be challenging at first. Patience and open communication are key here, as well as consistency with the entire process as everyone adjusts. If transitioning to daycare is ahead for you, I know the knowledge and support shared here will definitely equip you in creating a successful and seamless daycare experience for your family!
Katie Yancich is the Director at the Primrose School of Learning in Leesburg, VA. With over 15 years of experience as an experienced educator, she understands the importance of teacher stability and classroom environment in early childhood education. She excels in providing insightful guidance to parents, emphasizing the significance of low teacher turnover rates as a reflection of program quality. During tours, Katie ensures parents can personally observe the classroom dynamics, meet the teachers, and experience the learning atmosphere firsthand. Her dedication to creating a supportive and engaging environment sets her apart, highlighting the distinct differences between institutional settings and alternative childcare options, such as nanny care.
In this episode about making daycare transitions easier, we cover:
- The age range of kids typically entering the classrooms within the Primrose School of Learning + why the consistency piece is so important during this transition
- Important questions for parents to consider asking when they’re touring daycares and schools + the best times to actually tour facilities
- Ways to make it as smooth as possible for babies and children to transition to daycare + how to work through possible transition challenges
- What the communication process looks like between families and the staff at Primrose + working with parents to find their ideal communication method
- Fostering a strong connection by building rapport from the beginning with the child’s teacher and the parents/family
- The value of the community that really helps parents and families interact and gain support from one another within Primrose
- Creating consistency for kids between home and daycare regarding their feeding, sleeping, and overall environment
Between 1995 and 2016, the percentage of children receiving their primary care from center programs increased six percentage points from 42 percent in 1995 to 48 percent in 2016. This includes participation in preschools, child care centers, Head Start programs, prekindergarten programs, and other early childhood programs. This makes a daycare type setting the number one care provider team when parents are working outside the home.
Reference: https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_legacy_files/195451/Preschoolers_Type_of_Care.pdf
Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
- Connect with Katie on Instagram @primroseschoolofleesburg
- Learn more about Katie and the Primrose School of Learning in Leesburg at Potomac Station by visiting the website
- Connect with me on Instagram @nestedsleep
- Learn more about working together by visiting my website
More about The Nested Parent Podcast:
Welcome to The Nested Parent Podcast! This podcast is hosted by Dr. Kelsey Alford, a mama of 2, certified pediatric nurse practitioner, certified positive discipline parent educator, and trained professional in sleep. Kelsey’s passion is teaching families how to navigate the world of sleep and provide the best evidenced based sleep and parenting support that can be put to use TODAY. Learning what works best for you and your family is key – it’s never too late to make your home a peaceful, rested one!
You can expect to hear a variety of parenthood topics here, as well as learn from expert guests who help with parenting babies through teens.
Connect with Kelsey on Instagram @nestedsleep
Learn more about working with Kelsey by visiting her website www.nestedsleep.com
