The return to childcare after the Christmas and New Year break can be a tender, emotional, and sometimes unpredictable time—for children, families and educators. For many children, returning to childcare after the Christmas break can feel overwhelming. Routines have changed, family time has been intense or comforting, expectations feel unfamiliar again, and emotions can sit close to the surface. Some children return full of stories and excitement, while others return quietly, missing home, siblings, or the slower pace of the holidays.
At BEST Childcare Consulting, we believe January is not about rushing children back into structure, productivity, or “normal.” It is about reconnection.
This is a time to soften expectations, slow the pace, and prioritise what matters most — emotional safety, belonging, joy, and relationships. When children feel safe, seen, and regulated, learning naturally follows.
This article and accompanying QIP write-up reflect a conscious decision to treat January as a leisure-inspired, relationship-centred month, supporting children’s social and emotional wellbeing while also protecting educator wellbeing during a high-emotion transition period.
