Acclimatization and Transition to Daycare

Abstract or Introduction

This paper deals with the topic of acclimatization and the transition to daycare. The German law TAG (Tagesbetreuungsausbaugesetz), which aims at the demand-oriented expansion of childcare places for children under three, is to create 230,000 new places in crèches and with childminders nationwide by October 2010. As a result, the question of professional familiarization is naturally becoming more and more important. In the old days, children were simply dropped off at the facility on their first day without a second thought. Today, however, we know that a careful acclimation is crucial for the child's further development at the daycare center. In order to promote a positive development of the child, it usually needs the security of mother and father. This role must then eventually be taken over by the educator in a daycare center.

In order for the educator to become a reliable and trustworthy person for the child, the child needs a settling-in period, which should take place in the presence of the parents. Such a settling-in period is generally an important quality feature of an institution in which children from 0-3 years are cared for. Nevertheless, even today many parents and educators are of the opinion that an abrupt separation is best for the child. For this reason I thought it important to clarify from a psychological point of view why a cautious and slow acclimatization is preferable to an abrupt one and how important the presence of the parents is in this situation. In this paper, I would like to explore the question of what effects settling in without the participation of the parents can have for the little ones. Here I limit myself to children under 3 years at the transition from the parental home to the daycare.