Hi
@Tamara Gray-Red,
I can totally understand your concern and frustration with a toddler who is crying and wants to be held. This is actually very common with children her age who are starting childcare for the first time and is actually a sign that she has an attachment to her mom and needs time to form an attachment to you. She probably has a slow-to-warm temperament, which means she is slow to adjust to change in routines/settings. Both is happening to her right now. At this time, she needs to develop trust that you will be there to support her needs, just like her mom. In my experience, they usually adapt to your routines and environments once this period of adjustment passes.
Getting her ready for mom's arrival can help, but I only recommend it if mom consistently arrives on time. If you get her ready for pick-up (which she will connect to mom's arrival) and mom doesn't come, you may experience more challenges. This could become a positive experience with mom, if they develop consistent drop-off routines and pick-up routines for her. If you do get her ready, I would have mom communicate to you when pick-up will be different so that you don't get her ready and not have mom arrive.
My suggestions from things that have worked for me:
1. Does she have a comfort item (blanket, stuffed animal, etc.) that she can carry with her. This would be given to her, in addition to your comforts, when she is crying. Over time, this will become comfort in itself. We have a one year old in our infant room and she immediately calms when given her blanket. She hugs it and sits down until she's ready to play.
2. Give her the comforts she needs. If you're tending to another child, let her sit next to you and talk with her or offer her a comfort item. The more secure and attached she feels to you, the more comfortable she'll become with exploring and playing independently. When you can hold her hand, let her sit in your lap and play, or otherwise offer physical comforts, do this. She needs it and it will pay off for you long-term.
Remember, she's only been on this earth a few short months and, during this time, all she knows is mom and her home environment. This daycare thing is new. How would you feel if you were suddenly made to move out of your house to a new state and new home with no warning? That's how she feels right now.
Hope this helps! Wishing you all the best.
Tiffany
------------------------------
Tiffany Smith
Founder/Owner
Teaching Foundations, LLC
Columbia MD
Tiffanyjsmith@teachingfoundationsllc.comHttps://www.teachingfoundationsllc.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 02-15-2019 09:59 AM
From: Tamara Gray - Red
Subject: Constant Crying Child
Hello Providers, I have a constant crying 1 years old female child who has never been in daycare. Now from what I am getting from mother 1. She has not been in a daycare setting, 2.get to do what she wants, and 3. get held,pretty much, at home. I only had her 1 week. The mother rushes to come pick her up once of work. She basically bogards herself into my daycare. Now I'm getting to a point. Help please!
------------------------------
Ms. Tamara L Red
Owner / Provider
Unlimited Red Expressions Licensed Home Daycare
Danville Illinois
------------------------------