WOOD-RIDGE, NJ – October 21, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
Learning Tree Academy has published a resource for parents on separation anxiety at daycare and preschool drop-off, outlining five practices families can use while a child adjusts to a new classroom. The article was posted on September 16, 2026, to the blog of the child care center’s Wood-Ridge, New Jersey location, during the weeks the center’s website lists as the main enrollment window for its academic-year preschool classrooms.
The article describes separation anxiety as a normal part of childhood development and a step toward greater independence and confidence. Citing the Mayo Clinic, it defines the term as the distress young children feel when separated from parents or main caregivers, most common between eight and 18 months of age and usually easing by age two to three. The article advises parents who notice persistent symptoms to talk with their pediatrician.
The center’s five recommendations begin with a consistent goodbye routine, such as reading a particular book before leaving the house or using the same handshake at the door, and the article cautions that going back for one more hug tends to make the separation harder for everyone. It suggests practicing short separations at home before the first day, starting with a few minutes in another room and building up to short stays with a familiar relative or babysitter. Parents are encouraged to acknowledge a child’s feelings without dwelling on them and to name a concrete pickup time, such as after nap.
The fourth practice is for parents to stay positive and model confidence, since children read a parent’s nervousness at the door. The article recommends talking about the fun parts of the day, such as a favorite teacher or new friends, and avoiding remarks that tell a child not to cry or that the parent will miss them terribly. The fifth is to trust the teachers and the process. According to the article, what parents rarely see is that within a few minutes of a drop-off, teachers have helped the child settle and moved on to an activity.
“Separation anxiety is more common than parents think. A child may be upset when a parent leaves, and the parent walks away wondering if their child is going to be okay. But often, just a few minutes later, that same child is happily painting, playing, or joining an activity with their classmates. Parents don’t always get to see that part of the day, so we want to share those moments with them,” said Nataliya Malinovsky, owner of Learning Tree Academy.
The resource reflects the teaching approach described on the center’s website. Teachers use the Positive Discipline approach, which the site describes as five principles focused on responsibility, self-regulation, and problem-solving, starting with helping children feel a strong sense of belonging in their classroom community. Staff completed training with a Certified Positive Discipline Educator, and classrooms follow The Creative Curriculum, a research-based program built around learning through play.
The center’s infant care page states that teachers follow each baby’s home routine for sleep, feeding, and diaper changes so the day stays consistent with home. Families receive photos and real-time updates through the Procare app during the day, according to the website.
“My advice to parents is consistency. Say the same goodbye every day, keep it quick, tell them when pickup is in words they understand, like after nap, and then go. Lori and her teachers have walked more children through those first weeks than I can count. Prolonging your departure at the door can make it harder, because the child reads that as a signal that something is wrong,” said Malinovsky.
The Wood-Ridge director, Ms. Lori, joined the center 18 years ago as its Pre-K4 teacher after teaching second grade and kindergarten, and has served as director for six years. The location provides infant care from six weeks to 18 months, toddler care from 18 months to three years, Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 preschool classrooms for ages three to five, summer camp, before- and after-school care through its partnership with the Carlstadt School District’s universal pre-kindergarten program, and drop-in care for children from 18 months to five years. Daycare enrollment is rolling based on availability, while preschool enrollment follows the academic year, with the main intake in August and September.
Learning Tree Academy provides early childhood care and education in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, serving families in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties, with a second location in Succasunna in Morris County. Founder and owner Nataliya Malinovsky is an early educator and a mother of three who describes working with children, teachers, and families as her true passion. The center is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and a participant in Grow NJ Kids, New Jersey’s quality rating and improvement system.
###
For more information about Learning Tree Academy, contact the company here:
Learning Tree Academy – Wood-Ridge, NJ
Nataliya Malinovsky
201-460-6107
directorwoodridge@gmail.com
150 Park Pl E, Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075
Media gallery
