Month: December 2020

One of the scariest moments in every parent’s life is when they have to drop off their child at daycare for the first time. There are so many doubts in your mind: is your child ready for daycare? Are they going to be safe? Will they get along with other kids and their childcare providers? 

With all these questions, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you’ve packed all the things your kid will need during their stay at a San Diego daycare. Here at The Plunge, we’d like to make things easier for you by giving you a universal packing checklist that includes all the items your kid will need at daycare. Read on!

What does a child need for daycare?

First off, you should grab a magic marker and some plain white labels (or order pre-printed name labels), and ensure every item has your child’s name on it. This will avoid confusion and make the time they spend at daycare a lot easier for your child and their caretakers.

Make sure to pack some or all of the following:

• Extra outfits. For toddlers and other small kids, don’t hesitate to pack 3-4 changes of clothes, as well as some additional diapers. For bigger children, 1-2 outfits and some extra pairs of underwear should be enough. 
• A durable lunch bag. Lunch bags live a hard life, so you want to make sure the one you get for your kid is able to withstand all that abuse without smashing the food inside or spilling it all over the floor. Furthermore, refrain from packing food that can easily get spilled or otherwise ruined inside the bag. 
• A few bibs. Even the most well-behaved kid tends to be something of a slob at the dinner table. For this reason, having a couple waterproof bibs on hand is never a bad idea, as it’ll keep your child’s clothes from getting wet or messy during meals.
• Clean indoor shoes, preferably ones equipped with no-slip grips on the bottom. This will help keep the daycare itself cleaner (and all the kids in it healthier), and ensure your child has the appropriate footwear for play and exercise. 
• Medications. If the daycare policies allow, prepare a bag of medicine that you’d like your kid to have if they’re feeling uncomfortable. Make sure to let the daycare center staff know about these medications and to provide the necessary guidelines for how they should be administered. 
• Beloved toy or similar item. Letting your child take a comfort item or two to daycare will not only give them more things to play with, it’ll also make the daycare feel more like home. This can be hugely effective when it comes to helping your kid transition into daycare. 

What’s the best San Diego daycare for my child?

Nothing in life is as important as making sure your children get proper care as they grow and develop. For this reason, choosing the right daycare camp that provides your child with endless opportunity to exercise, socialize, learn, and have fun, is one of the most essential things you can do as a parent. 

If you’re in need of a tried-and-true poolside daycare center in San Diego, look no further than The Plunge historic swimming pool at Belmont Park. With a tradition that spans nearly a century and boasts gorgeous panoramic views, a state-of-the-art daycare, group swim lessons, rental options for private parties, and more. 

Visit us today, or give us a call if you’d like to learn more about why we’re San Diego’s #1 public pool! 

Starting daycare is a huge moment in any kid’s life. For many children, it’s their first time being away from their parents or grandparents for an extended period of time, not to mention their first time interacting with a large group of other kids. 

Even if your child has been to daycare before, going to a new daycare is still a considerable transition. Parents are advised to do a few things beforehand to ensure their little one’s first day at the new daycare is as stress-free as possible. 

Here at The Plunge, San Diego, we’d like to help you do just that by providing you with a list of 3 easy ways to get your child ready for their first day at daycare. Keep reading to learn more. 

How do I transition my child to daycare?

Choosing the right childcare program will not just aid the development of your child, but also be an extremely fun experience for them. These benefits can be further increased by taking a little time to make the daycare transition as easy as possible for your kid. 

Here are 3 tried-and-true ways to prepare your kid for daycare:

1. Visit the daycare beforehand

The first day at daycare doesn’t have to be the first time your child actually sees the facility and meets the teachers. By visiting once or twice before the big day, you’ll be familiarizing your child with the place and make it easier for them to acclimate. 

2. Leave your kid with a babysitter for awhile

If your kid rarely spends time away from you, a good way to get them used to the idea is by leaving them for a few hours with a babysitter or a neighbor while you go out for dinner or a movie night with your significant other. 

3. Pack everything up

Packing 3-4 changes of clothing, multiple diapers, baby formula, and more, for a few hours at daycare may seem excessive, but you’d be surprised by how often packing for daycare is actually necessary. If your children are a little older, 1-2 outfits and some additional underwear should be enough. 

Another great idea is to provide your kid with a comfort item or two as well. A stuffed animal or a blanket that reminds them of home can make them feel less exposed and make it easier for them to adjust to being away from their parents. 

How can I help my child settle into a daycare camp?

It’s important to remember that a child’s world is much smaller than an adult’s. They haven’t been to nearly as many places or met as many people, and as a result, spending a few hours on their own can be both extremely exciting and scary. 

For this reason, parents should discuss the upcoming daycare visit as much as possible with their kid. Read them stories and watch shows that depict fun and interesting daycare experiences. The goal is to make them understand that daycare is a great place for a child to be.

Does The Plunge in San Diego offer quality poolside daycare?

You know what’s better than a first-rate daycare with seasoned teachers and an age-appropriate curriculum? A daycare that has all that, but also includes a cutting-edge swimming pool, numerous daytime activities and exploration, and even kid yoga classes and lessons in Fine Arts.

At The Plunge, San Diego, we boast all that and more! Located within a walking distance from the Giant Dipper, we can proudly call ourselves the finest public pool and daycare in the city. Come visit us today!