Is your toddler thriving at daycare: 3 tell-tale signs something’s amiss

As a parent, it is normal to wonder if your child is doing okay at their daycare center. Of course, the tears at drop-off due to separation anxiety is normal, but what about after your child has settled into their new daycare? Often, parents fail to assess their child’s behaviour and see vital signs of abuse and neglect (emotional, verbal or physical), since toddlers and pre-schoolers cannot express these kind of emotions. Which is why parents need to be aware of certain tell-tale signs to understand what might be going on behind closed doors. Because, if left undetected, it can negatively impact the affected child’s mental, emotional, physical and social development skills.

The tell-tale signs parents should watch out for are:

1. Extreme mood swings

Has your child been throwing random tantrums lately? Or are you confused with the sudden changes in their behaviour? Is your child becoming socially withdrawn and displaying signs of depression, shame and guilt? It could be nothing, but don’t ignore it either. Talk to your child about what’s bothering them.

Children find it difficult to keep secrets, and thus naturally retreat to themselves and try to cope with a wide range of emotions independently. This is a sign that they could be hiding something from you, or are ashamed of telling you something. Gain their confidence and allow them to feel safe opening up to you.

2. Displaying fear towards the caregiver or employee of the daycare

Another tell-tale sign of abused children is that they will act clingy, start to cry and seem frightened at the sight of a daycare employee or the daycare itself. Often children will try to fake illness and avoid going to the daycare in the first place.

Usually, parents brush off such behaviour and tantrums as normal as no child initially wants to leave their parents. However, you need to pay attention to their pattern of displaying fear, especially when their anxiety and fear returns at the sight of the daycare or a certain employee at the daycare center. If you detect that your child is expressing fear and anxiety about a specific care provider, you must take your child seriously and encourage them to speak about it.

3. Trust your motherly instinct

Nature has bestowed parents, especially mothers, with the instinct of understanding their children’s emotions and reactions at a much deeper level. If you enter a child care center that promises the best, but your gut instincts tell you otherwise, don’t feel obligated to sign up!

Always trust your instincts regarding the safety and wellbeing of your children. If you have the feeling that something doesn’t seem right, it is time to encourage your child to talk about it. Provide your children a safe space where they can open up to you and tell you everything without guilt, shame, and fear.

So…

Before selecting a child care service for your child, assess all aspects of the child care center. Pay special attention to how the children are behaving. Do they look happy, excited, and comfortable? Is there enough space? Are the employees certified, and do they love their job? And, trust your instinct – parental instincts rarely deceive.