Needs ideas to help my babies at church move to another classroom.

[Angelswithme]

I volunteer every Sunday in the nursery for children who are one years old. I have about 15 to 20 children in my class. I know every child and greet them at the door every time. The children have grown to love me just as much as I love them. Once the children turn 2 years old I am suppose to send them to the next classroom for their age. I am having a really hard time due to the fact that the children are having a hard time. I have so much anxiety and am sick to my stomach leaving some of the children who are not doing so well in the new class. I recently went into the 2's class to calm down two of the children. I left my bracelet with one and promised the other one a baby doll from my classroom. The girls did okay but only because someone had to hold them the whole time. I had to go back to my classroom because I teach lessons and I had the children in my class upset because I wasn't there. Then another one of the girls from the 2's class was with a volunteer crying so much she was gagging down the hall - I went to Haley and asked her if she wanted to come into my classroom to wait for her mommy and she came running into my arms. I had already told the parents before they dropped their child off in the 2's that if they weren't okay that I would go get them and they would be with me. Each parent said it was okay. The parents know that I'm all about safety and I truly care for their child. After the parents came to pick up the children in my class I went to the 2's and waited for Haley's mom to come. I told her mom and the two other moms of the 2 other girls that next Sunday I would like them to bring them to my class instead.

I know I'm not suppose to do that but I feel like I have no choice. These children never cry coming to my class and love being in my class. To see the children so upset and having to be held just broke my heart. 

I am looking for ideas or anything that can help get the children comfortable with wanting to go to the 2's. I would love for them to stay with me but this is part of the school life and I really want to help these children.

- Angelswithme.

[LynnS6]

At our church, some of the teachers have 'moved up' with the kids as they get older. Also, our years are based on a school year and you're with that group all the time. (You don't move up to a new group just because you had a birthday.) It helps the kids to be with other kids they know. (And honestly, most of the parents stay with the kids until they're 3-4, so there's not an issue.)

In reality though, just about 2 is the end of one major period of separation anxiety and so changes at that age (between 18 and 24 months) are going to be hard.

Can you talk to your directors about organization? Best ways to transition the kids to a new classroom?

[Angelswithme]

@LynnS6 -

- I thought about moving up to the 2's but I do lessons in my class and if I don't do it the children will just be bored with the volunteers. I'm the only steady person for my class. Also I have children in my class that won't be moving up until October and I can't leave them.

- I just find it so strange that the children didn't act like this in my class.

- I think I'm going to make a small poster with pictures of the classroom/teachers and show them it's okay and that they can come see me anytime that they want to.

I'm going to do whatever I can to help the children move up. I can't get the director to change the progress by school year instead of age so I'm going to make the best of it. No matter how sad I am for the children to not be in my class - These children look up to me and I'm going to be the best role model that I can.

[just_lily]

I don't see how this would be your responsibility??  In our church it is definitely not up to the volunteers to make sure kids are comfortable moving up a classroom - that is a job of the parents.  I volunteer in our 2yo class once a month, and if kids are having a rough time parents usually just stay with them for a week or two until they settle in. 

[Angelswithme]

@just_lily - The parents do help with getting the children settled. I'm like a big sister for these children (27yrs old) and being the oldest of a big family I can help the children not be so scared. I don't blame the children or the parents - I want to help - I can help and God gave me this gift and I intend to use to. I'm a volunteer that helps the parents because it's not easy to leave your children in someone else hands. I have trust from every parent and I do not intend to lose that trust.