Your child's first holiday program: what to look for
For a first holiday program, the setup matters more than the program itself. Some kids dive straight in; some have a meltdown at the door; both are completely normal. Here's how to stack the odds in your favour.
Pick
- Half-day, not full-day: drop-off panic is shorter to recover from
- A small group (under 15 kids, ideally under 10)
- A provider with clear comms: text updates during the day, photos at pickup, named staff you can call
- A venue you can find easily; getting lost on day 1 sets the wrong tone
Avoid
- Vague "we'll keep them busy" descriptions
- No information about staff ratios
- No way to contact the provider during the day
- Programs that don't say what kids actually do hour-by-hour
Drop-off prep
- Pack exactly what they say to pack: extra snacks, water bottle, sunscreen, hat
- Talk through the day the night before: when, where, who, and what happens at pickup
- Agree a pickup time and stick to it, even if you could be early; predictability is everything for a nervous kid
- Don't linger at drop-off. Quick goodbye, walk away, trust the staff.
It's normal to cry on day 1; most kids are fine by day 3. If your child is still distressed by day 3, talk to the provider about what's happening; the issue is usually fixable.