Tips for Family Day Care Educators to Assist Parents and Children in Managing Separation Anxiety

This article provides tips for family day care educators to assist parents and children in managing separation anxiety. It includes advice on setting up a safe and secure environment, developing effective communication with parents, and providing nurturing and secure relationships. The article also covers topics such as nappy changing procedures, feeding infants and toddlers, and creating a safe play environment for babies and toddlers.

Case Study 1
1. Geri is an experienced family day care educator. Starting next Monday, Lachie (6 months) will be in care
with Geri and 2 other children (aged 2 and 4) 3 days a week. Geri has already collected details about
Lachie’s needs, preferences and daily routine from his mother, Sue, and is now thinking about the
finishing touches she needs to make in preparation for his arrival.
Once Geri has set up the physical environment to make it welcoming, safe, and secure, she starts
thinking about how she will help Sue deal with dropping Lachie off for the first time. Sue and Lachie
have come to visit a few times, but this will be the first time she leaves him in Geri’s care. Sue is a
young, independent, single mum who is commencing study on a part-time basis. Lachie is her only child.
a. List five (5) ways Geri could assist and support Sue and Lachie to manage their first separation.
b. Describe a suitable separation routine that Geri could suggest to Sue to manage her and Lachie’s
separation.
c. Suggest to Sue to develop nurturing and secure relationship with Lachie,Geri and other children.
a.
i. Talk about the things which Geri can do later with Lachie to make the day enjoyable.
ii. Make comfort the child.
iii. Make understandable the parents and tell them not to worry about their child.
iv. Introduce the fun games as well as the activities.
v. Develop an effective communication with parents so that they will not worry about their child.
b. The separation routine which the sue have to adopt that she have to make her goodbyes quick as well
as positive so that Lachie will not fell anxious about the separation.

2. Lachie’s first day has arrived, and he has successfully settled into care. It is mid-morning, and Geri
notices that Lachie is rubbing his eyes and is a little unsettled. Knowing that Lachie is almost due for his
morning nap, Geri decides it is probably best to change his nappy in preparation for the nap.
a. Write a suitable nappy procedure that could be displayed in the changing room for Geri to follow
and to ensure that she practices proper hygiene.
b. Describe how Geri should interact with Lachie to help build a positive relationship with him while
changing his nappy.
c. Suggest what the parents /educators could do to help Geri adjust to his new routines?
a. Geri should change the nappy of Lachie in only the nappy changing area. She must ensure about the
correct lifting procedure or techniques.
b. Geri should interact with Lachie in a very positive way as well as she must develop an effective or
healthy communication with him so that he will not feel anxious.
c. Encouraging a child into care.
3. Geri has organised the environment and is now ready to put Lachie into his cot. He has his comfort item

with him, a dummy, and is sucking contentedly.
a. What are the steps that Geri must consider when putting Lachie to sleep safely?
b. What are the things that Geri should check in order to know that the cot Lachie sleeps on complies
with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2172-2003, bedding and equipment standards?
a.
i. The educators always place the children on a firm mattress in a harmless crib.
ii. Place the children on the back for safe sleep.
iii. Secure sleep surface which is free from any harm.
iv. Ensure about the mattresses that they should be clean as well as in a good repair condition.
v. Keeping the pillows, blanket or bumper pads away from the sleep area.
b.
i. It includes such as make sure about that the cot does not contain any horizontal bars.
ii. It also does not contain the foot holds for the children as they will not use it to climb out.
iii. Must check the locking devices of the cots before use.
iv. Must check the stability of the cots before use.
v. Must check that the mattress is firm.
vi. Must check the mattress is fits comfortably into the cradles.

4. Lachie sleeps for almost 2 hours but wakes up crying. Geri promptly responds to Lachie’s cries,
reassuring him that she is there and that she will give him his lunch after his nappy is changed. Lachie
has recently started on solids which Geri will feed him at this time.
a. List four (4) foods that are suitable to feed babies of Lachie’s age.
b. Describe how Geri should safely prepare Lachie’s food.
c. List the four (4) safety features of a high chair that make it suitable for Geri to use when feeding
Lachie his solids.
a.
i. Iron encouraged infant cereals with the breastmilk.
ii. Smooth cooked vegetables such as potato.
iii. Smooth fruits such as apple.
iv. More finely mashed soft fruits such as banana and mango.
b. The educator must wash their hands thoroughly as well as the utensils. Then prepare the food which
they want to feed the baby.
c.
i. Ensure that crotch band is well protected.
ii. Must establish a daily routine of using this equipment for their meal.
iii. Do not leave alone the baby in the high chair.
iv. Educators must not allow the babies to stand on the chair or climb on the chair.
5. Lachie is still hungry after eating his solids, so Geri prepares him a bottle of infant formula.

a. Write a suitable formula preparation procedure for Geri to follow. You must include the procedure
before preparing and the actual procedure of preparing the formula.
b. Write a suitable Expressed Breast Milk (EBM) preparation and storage procedure for Geri to follow
in case she needs to prepare an EMB for Lachie.
c. Describe how Geri should safely store and re-heat bottles that parents have already prepared for
their child.
a) Add answer fields as needed.
Before preparing:
i. Wash the hands properly.
ii. wash the feeding bottle and the utensils in which formula is being prepared.
iii. Keep away the children while boiling the water.
Actual procedure:
iv. Put accurate amount of water and boil it.
v. Add the formula and shake well
b). Procedure for safe preparation and storage of EBM
i. It should be stored in the sterile utensil or container.
ii. Once used the storage container then it must be discarded.
iii. Keep the storage container in the refrigerator at 4 degree or lower.
iv. It can be stored up to 72 hours
v. Must clearly mention the date on the container when the milk was expressed.
vi. Must ensure that the milk should not be stored in the doors of the fridge.

c). How Geri should safely store and re-heat bottles of prepared infant formula
i. Re-heat the container.
ii. Must not use microwaves to re-heat the formula.
iii. It must discard the un-used milk formula after the hours at room temperature.
iv. They must use the commercial bottle warmer.
v. It is recommended that once formula is re-heated, it should not be used again as most of the
nutrients present inside is being lost.

Q1-Scenario
6. At lunch time the educator serves the children their meals individually in bowls and gives them their
own cutlery and sipper cups. She checks the room allergy list before each child receives their bowl. The
educator closely supervises all children during mealtime, and also keeps a second set of food so that she
can offer food to the children learning to feed themselves, ensuring they receive enough food. Caitlyn
(12 months) is learning to eat and drink independently at meal times. She enjoys exploring the texture
of foods and alternates between using her hands and spoon. Caitlyn always enjoys her meals. When she
is finished she lets the educator know by raising her arms and saying ‘Up’.
d. How has the educator ensured Caitlyn’s safety while eating her lunch?
e. How has the educator provided for Caitlyn’s growing independence?
f. What would you communicate with Caitlyn’s parents about her mealtimes?(Students have to role
and record their evidence by using audio or Video recording).
d).
vi. Educator must closely supervise when Caitlyn is having her lunch.
vii. Educator must check the room allergy list before the Caitlyn will receive their bowl.
viii. Educator must keep the second set of food so that they can offer more food to Caitlyn learning
to feed themselves.
ix. Must ensure that Caitlyn must sitting on the high chair while having lunch.
x. Must ensure about individually being served.
e).
Provide the baby a plenty of targets when they attempt some new things or challenges.

c. Express in front of parents about how their children used to have their meal.

7. . Listed below are common safety hazards for babies and toddlers. Suggest one way in which the
educator could reduce each hazard.
a) Infants not yet crawling.
Hazard: May roll off the nappy change table.
b) Infants crawling and beginning to walk.
Hazard: May choke on small objects and some foods.
c) Toddlers.
Hazard: Will attempt to stand and climb on a chair
a) Avoid the bending as well as twisting whenever possible.

b). teaching the child about how to chew as well as swallow the meal properly.
c). fill the area of chair with toys or cushions.

8. Ann’s (16 months) family is from India. They have been in Australia for three months. Ann has now been
at the service for six weeks and attends two days per week. Her parents are undertaking studies at the
university and will be in Australia for two years. Ann’s parents speak fluent English and Assamese. They
speak to Ann mainly in Assamese but also want her to learn English. When Ann is not in childcare she is
cared for by her maternal grandmother who has made the trip with the family. Ann’s grandmother also
lived with the family in India and has always helped to care for Ann. Grandmother speaks limited English
and talks to Ann in Assamese. Ann is used to the constant attention of her family and finds the
unfamiliar surroundings of childcare difficult. She follows the educator around whimpering and holding
her arms up to be carried. When is time for Ann to sleep, she screams when the educator lifts her into a
cot. The educator finds that the only way she can get Ann to sleep is to sit with her in the rocking chair
and gently rock her to sleep.
a) What factors have contributed to Ann finding it difficult to settle into childcare?
b) What could you do to support Ann to adjust to care?
a).
Speaking of her grandmother with limited English.
b).
Ensures the effective communication with Ann so that she can feel comfortable.

9. The educator, Jill, sits with Eva (18 months) and Anna (20 months). Earlier this morning a parent had
bathed and breast fed her new baby while the children watched.
Jill: “Can you see the baby in the bath? I think we need to wash her. Here’s a washer for you Anna and
here’s one for you Eva and here’s one for me.”
Anna-“Wash ,wash baby”
Eva –“baby” pointed at the baby doll.
Jill-Yes Anna, baby is feeling hot. She needs a wash.
Jill models how to wash the baby. “We need to hold her gently and make sure her head doesn’t go under
the water. Here you go baby. Do you like the nice warm water on your tummy?”
“Eva, you’re doing a good job washing the baby’s hair. You’re being very gentle. ”Anna are you tickling the
baby’s toes when you wash her feet?
Anna smiled back and nods her head.
I think she likes that. “Jill remains with Eva and Anna during this experience, offering encouragement and
describing the children’s actions.
Scenario Strategies for to Baby(18 months)and Toddlers(20
months)
Practice language by repeating words, sounds
and gesture
It includes the repeating words such as talk.. talk…
talk ..and so on.
objects or events and talk about routine activities Support as well as appreciate the prosocial behaviours.

with babies and toddlers
Initiate one-to-one interactions with babies and
toddlers during daily routines
Usage of the transition objects.
Interactions initiated by babies and toddlers
Must establish a physical surrounding environment.
10. a) List two ways in which this space supports and stimulates the baby’s development?
b) How does this setting demonstrate a safe and stimulating play space for physical development?
c) Look at this setting and explain how it provides a safe play environment for toddlers

a) make the baby to understand about what is present in their surrounding environment, explain
about the things which are present around the children so that they can able to understand the
things.
b) In this, it generally helps to improve their balance, coordination as well as develop their motor skills.
c) The indoor activities are somehow safe as the parents or educators can make eye on the children while
they are playing.
Part A- Molly-Age 8months
Molly and her mother, Katie, arrived at the centre for orientation. Your centre manager
informed you week ago and asked to collect information from Molly’s mother to make
transitioning period smooth for Molly. During orientation Katie mentioned that Molly is
sleeping in cot and she is only allowed to use her own bedding with Satin edge blanket from
home due to hygiene issues. Katie also mentioned to distract Molly by using hanging mobiles
during nappy change routine. Molly is still on breastfeed and Katie expressed her interest to
breastfeed Molly during lunch breaks as she is working in the nearby store. Molly has been
introduced to solids and loves to feed herself. Katie requested the educators to

communicate daily routines for Molly to make transitioning smooth from care to home.
Katie filled enrolment form for Molly and confirmed she will start her care after 1 week.
Molly’s 8 month’s immunisation was due within 2 week.
a. Review Molly’s enrolment form and list down Molly’s sleep and rest routines.
b. List down the hygienic practices you will use ensures bedding is clean.
c. To provide positive nappy changing experience to Molly, which individual routine you
will adapt?
d. Describe how you will provide supportive Breastfeeding environment to Katie?
e. 1) List the ages when children receive vaccinations.
2) According to Regulation 162, where must children’s immunisation records be kept at
the service?
f. In relation to intake and experiences with food and drinks, what you will communicate
with Katie.
Answer
a.
she always used to sleep in the cot. Molly is only allowed to use her own bedding having the
Satin edge blanket from home as she has some hygiene issues.
b.
ensure about the clothes which are being used while sleeping are washed properly or not.
c.
must provide the time as well as support for the transitions.
d.
provide mother a clean, private area so that she can feed her child.
e.
1.) first dose of vaccination will be given at the age of 2 months.
2.) Under NSW Public Health Act 2010 the care service directors must keep the immunisation

register which generally details about the status of immunization.
f). In relation with intake as well as experiences with food and drinks it includes electronic mails
which can generally gives a means of two-way intercommunication that can be accessed at the
times convenient to both educator and the families as well. In this, the notice board contains
data for families or the questions for such feedbacks from the families to gather the ideas in the
specific areas.

Part B
Question 2. Matthew Young is almost 4 and has just started attending care in your centre. During
his transition to care, you have found him to be quite an emotional child—particularly when
separating from his mother, Linda, who also seems to be experiencing difficulty with the process.
Matthew is currently on toilet training.
a. What strategies would you implement during the orientation process to be able to build
trusting relationships with Matthew and his mother, Linda?
List five (5) strategies.
b. As Matthew’s carer in the centre, you must adopt strategies to support his successful
settling in. List three (3) settling in strategies that you can use.
c. List four signs that a child who is ready for toilet training may show.
d. What could parents do with the toddler to assist in pre-toilet training? Write these in your
own words
e. What three steps can educators consider when sensitively and positively supporting
children who are toilet training? Write these steps in your own words
a.
i. Must greet the parents as well as child with positive smile.
ii. Educators must take the baby to the room and aware about the activities which are
present or available for them.
iii. Educators must provide the opportunities to choose themselves an activity.
iv. Once the child is comfortable with their educators, they must support the parents to
say a healthy good bye.

b.
i. Let Matthew know that the centre has an open-door policy so that she can always feel
welcome to visit if she is able to.
ii. Encourage Matthew to phone throughout the day to check on baby.
iii. Ask the Matthew about baby’s dislikes and likes as well as how she settle’s them when she
is distressed at home.
c.
i. Must ensure that baby is pulling their diaper.
ii. Ensures that they are hiding to poo or pee.
iii. They must be awakening dry from their nap.
iv. It must include the absence of bowel movement at night.
d. The learning to use the toilet is an essential developmental landmark for the toddlers. The
educators can aid the children as well as toddlers with this learning process by being inspiring,
learning the signs of the toilet learning as well as keeping the routines of toilets as consistent as
possible during the learning process about how to use the toilets.

e. The educators must aid the babies to change their clothes, they must seal the dirty clothes or
nappies in the plastic bags, they must remind the child about not wearing the diaper or they
are required to use the toilets.
1. Matthew comes to the centre in a superhero suit he received as a birthday gift. He clearly loves
his suit and wears it all day. He comes to care the following day wearing the same suit. Linda
says he refuses to take it off. Because it is becoming quite hot during mid-day, the need to
change Matthew’s suit to more safe and comfortable clothing becomes immediate.
Describe how you would encourage Matthew to take off his superhero suit with a minimal
emotional upset on his part.
As an educator, they should encourage the Matthew to take off his superhero suit by informing
him that this can affect his health. As wearing the suit during the hot days can simply affect his
health. Educators must understand this concept in a very polite way. They must organise a
program in which they can educate about good hygiene as well as about their well-being. They
should aware about that wearing the same dress all the days can make him sweating and needs to
be washed. Otherwise, it may cause him to get infection and also cause him to sweat that will
again give him the contamination.