The first day I left my daughter at daycare/preschool was quite traumatic. I had looked quite carefully for just the right program to fit our needs and our budget and one that was as convenient as possible, considering that we lived in one community and I worked in another, and the bus was our only means of transportation. That meant the stroller, the bags and my 2 year old on a bus that only ran every 30 minutes. It meant leaving my girl with strangers and hoping/trusting that they would be as nurturing as they appeared and that she wouldn’t be upset when I said good-bye.
I stayed with her for about 15 minutes, all the while watching her while she sat on “Tessie’s lap.” Tessie was the oldest worker there and, I thought, a very comforting and experienced child care giver. She had her own children and in fact, was a grandmother as I recall. She oozed ease and trust. My daughter seemed to love her right away and went to her immediately after hearing the words “Come to Tessie.” I was so relieved to see that, and was thrilled that I had found this wonderful place with these obviously caring and professional people on staff.
The moment had arrived when I would walk out the door and leave my baby girl there to be cared for by others, outside of our family/our home, for the first time. My apprehension was enormous and my chest was constricting. I said good-bye to her and walked to the street outside and immediately burst into tears. She was fine. No problem at all. Hadn’t even noticed me leaving, it seemed, but I was a wreck. I had been so busy worrying about her and how she would react that it hadn’t occurred to me that it was me who was going to be most affected. It was a definite hurdle to leap over that day, the day my daughter began school and a life and experiences outside of our family and our surroundings.
How important was it? It was enormous for both of us. That day began the natural separation and introduction to the world of social interaction so necessary for a child’s growth and spirit and so necessary for her Mom’s as well. I returned to the adult world of working and interacting with other people and she began the process of self-realization that happens to children when they go to school.
This issue has a special focus on preschool. We hope the articles and the Directory will be helpful to those of you who are sending your child for the first time and who are contemplating your options, and we wish you an easy transition that leaves both you and your child in a comfort zone.
Thanks for reading.
