Young Academics manager shares drop off strategies to make life easier for educators

As the centre manager of Young Academics Rouse Hill, Octavia Amituanai has witnessed many drop off times across not only her time in the centre, but in the sector as a whole. 

In the piece below she shares her top tips for drop off strategies which make life easier for children, families and educators alike. 

Common challenges and how can educators help ease them

The most common challenge, Octavia said, is what she calls the “don’t leave me, please!”. 

Educators see children challenged by the transition of being cared for by their family to being in the care of the service, responding by crying and staying close to their parent, something parents typically try to avoid by ‘sneaking away.’

One way to support this, Octavia advises, is to welcome the child and family with a gentle smile, and to point out fun or interesting things to do in the room. 

“I also like to give parents a quick update on what’s planned for the day, so they know their child is going to have an awesome time,” she said, noting that transition objects such as a comfort toy or item can help. 

“The key is to keep it light, fun, and reassuring for everyone,” she added. 

Practical strategies to make goodbye easier 

Octavia’s top tips are: 

• Keep goodbyes smooth, short and sweet. 
• Implement a consistent and fun routine such as a special handshake, a goodbye hug and a high five.
• Saying something like, “I’ll see you soon, I’m so excited to hear all about your day!” makes it clear you’ll be back, and it gives them something to look forward to. 

“It’s important to recognise and validate a child’s feelings of separation anxiety,” she continued. “By calmly acknowledging that it’s okay to feel upset, we help children understand their emotions and feel supported in that moment.”

A predictable, steady routine allows them to understand what will happen next, which can reduce anxiety and foster a sense of security over time.

Learn more about Young Academics here.