daycares in 4 years. I went back to work when she was 14 months old. We left daycare number one when she was almost two. Daycare Two was where I was working, but the long commute interfered with my school hours, so that necessitated closer to home daycare three, where they let her fall and break her nose on the playground TWICE in 3 weeks. Left it on a Friday, never went back. Daycare four was also near the house, but smaller. A whole year there, plus we did summer care. Then we moved to the Keys. Our first center came highly recommended but was not stimulating enough for Darling Girl, so we swtiched her to the VPK program at the Elementary school.

Ok, transitions! At the first place there was no gradual transition, I was offered a much better paying job with benefits, but the catch was I had to accept with a week and two days notice at my curent school. I gave notice, went on my scheduled vacation and we never came back. That was so hard for Sarah, to this day she talks about her old friends at the first school! Our second transition I had a little more time; her teacher talked about DG leaving for a new school and even threw her a going away party. We took lots of pictures and that helped.

Third school she hated anyway (should have been a clue) I kept her home with me for the next few months until the 4th school opened up from summer break. She was shy in class for a few days but warmed right up!

She was so bored in 5th school that I had not trouble selling her on the bigger brighter elementary school (6th). Now she goes to the same school where she will attend kindergarten next year.

Whew!

I suggest taking LOTS of pictures of the old school/teachers/friends, maybe making a little book out of them. Visit the new school (with your child) before you ever attend it, let the kid see the classroom, meet the teacher etc. Also check out the playground! Very important. I'd also have a going away pary for the kid. All of those seemed to help DG make her last few changes pretty well. Good Luck!!!!!

visit. Taking the time to see the new place without the pressure of having to stay! Oh, that helps. Your kid can visualize a bit better what the new place wil be like. Also, your teacher should have a daily schedule for you, nap times, snack times, play times, going over that schedule with your child is essential. "You have free time, then art, the a snack, playground, lunch, nap and then Mommy will be there to get you!" They can't tell time (mine can't) so it helps order their day.

I wouldn't visit the old place until they are "in routine" at the new place, but I do recommend writing letters to the old school, to keep in touch. Send pictures and encourage them to send pics back! That has realy helped with this last big transition. Darling Girl has even talked to her old teacher on the phone.

I am coming at this as a former preschool teacher too. The transitions can be hard, but keeping a positive attitude (even faking it) can help your kid. They totally pick up on our apprehensions.

idea -- those are great for kids to hold onto memories.

From what I've seen with my own family and others is that kids often take HUGE clues from parents as to how to react and/or act about situations in general.  

Your reaction and action will have a lot to do with your child's is my guess.  

In challenging situations, what has worked for our   kids is to validate their feelings by active listening - hearing them without needing to have  control over their feelings and thoughts.  That seems really healing for kids, and adults too.  

that's the key to knowing what to do. if he is easy going and not worried by transitions, then you may not need to do much. Also, remember you don't need to bring it up too far in advance. When I made a big move in 06, my son was old enough to have made friends at his daycare. I made a little photo album for his daycare and for him. he still keeps it by his bed.

But in a few months it will fade.

If possible, visit the new daycare, talk about the new daycare, make it an adventure, and talk about how it is part of him becoming a "big kid"

Even so, once the reality hits (hey, I am in a strange place with strange people) there will be some hard days.  They will pass, he'll be fine, and he will adjust to the new circumstances