Settling in & getting started

Settling in is an important process for both your child and you. At IJsterk, we make sure the start is careful and unhurried.

Around two weeks before the start date, you’ll have an introductory meeting with the childcare professional.

Together you’ll discuss the settling-in schedule, with your child’s wellbeing at the centre of everything. The settling-in period usually takes place over several days, with your child getting used to the group step by step.

It often starts with a short visit together with you and gradually builds up to longer stretches without parents. Every child settles in differently, so we pay close attention to what your child needs and can adjust the schedule or add extra sessions if necessary.

During this period, we stay in close contact with you, so that both you and your child feel comfortable and at ease.

Officially, the settling-in period begins from the contract start date.

Where possible, we aim to offer up to 8 hours of free settling-in time in the two weeks before that date. This always happens in consultation and depends on the available space in the group, such as staff-to-child ratios and group size.

Around two weeks before the start, you’ll have an introductory meeting with the childcare professional to discuss the settling-in schedule, so your child can start in a calm and familiar way.

Yes, you’ll usually start the settling-in visits together with your child in the group. This helps make the transition to daycare feel calm and familiar.

From there, we gradually build up to your child spending time without you, so they can get comfortable with the group and the childcare professionals at their own pace.

Every child settles in differently. If your child needs more time, we’ll adjust the settling-in period accordingly.

We always do this in consultation with you, so the process stays as calm and comfortable as possible and your child can start to feel safe and at home.

During the settling-in period, we stay in regular contact with you. We usually start with a visit together in the group and keep you well informed about how your child is getting on.

We’ll agree on the settling-in schedule together and check in regularly on how things are going, so that both you and your child feel comfortable and at ease.

At the daycare, your baby will be fed by bottle. Many parents find it helpful to practise bottle feeding at home beforehand. It can also help to let someone else give the bottle occasionally, so your baby gradually gets used to being fed by different people.

If you’re breastfeeding, you can bring expressed milk with you. It’s also possible, by arrangement, to feed your baby at the location yourself.

Babies sleep in their own cot at the daycare. During the settling-in period, babies sometimes sleep in the group room so that extra supervision is on hand.

A familiar routine and a sleeping bag with a recognisable scent can help. Babies always sleep on their backs, without a duvet or pillow, to keep them safe. Please let us know if your baby starts rolling over.

It also helps if your baby is used to falling asleep in a cot at home, as this often makes the transition to sleeping at the daycare a little easier.