Your child’s first day
We’re thrilled to extend a warm welcome to you and your child as you start your early learning journey with us. We’re dedicated to providing a nurturing and supportive environment that fosters your child’s individual growth and development.
Preparing for your child’s first day is crucial to ensuring they have a smooth start in our centre. From introducing your child to our centre and team through our Stay and Play program to packing their backpack and sharing routines and tips for those initial drop-offs – we’re here to provide the assistance necessary to ensure you and your child feel comfortable and confident.
How to prepare
- Familiarise your child with their new centre: Prior to your child’s start date, drive past the early education and child care centre wherever possible and show your child where they will be attending. Talk about the experiences they will have and the new educators and friends they will meet.
- Pack a bag and label it: Let your child help pack their bag. Not only is it fun for them, it will also help them to recognise their own bag. Please label all your child’s clothing and shoes.
- Stay and Play: You’re invited to join us for our Stay and Play sessions, where you can experience our centre firsthand, prior to starting in our early learning community. These sessions not only allow your child to explore their new environments but also provide their teachers and educators with the opportunity to get to know your child on a deeper level. Our team will learn all about your child’s daily routines, likes and dislikes, ensuring that both you and your child feel comfortable and supported right from the start.
What to bring on your child’s first day
Here is a list of items you will need to bring to our child care and early education centres so that your child is ready to jump right into all the exciting adventures that lie ahead:
- Backpack
- Water bottle
- Hat
- Spare change of clothes, including socks and underwear
- Comfort item to help your child settle
Additional items that can help children settle in are a family photo, a soft toy or comfort blanket for nap time.
Each centre may vary slightly with what to bring – so if you have any questions, please contact your Centre Manager.
Settling in your child
Our educators will work in collaboration with you to learn as much as possible about your child and their routine. This includes understanding who is in their family, their interests, sleep times, eating habits, and further information so we can extend your home environment into our child care and early education centre to make it a seamless transition for your child.
The first days and weeks transitioning into a new education and care environment can be exciting and enjoyable, yet also worrying and stressful for both children and families.
Building relationships with educators and adapting to a new environment can take some time, however there are some simple strategies to assist with a smooth transition.
Create a checklist to ensure all necessary items are packed in a bag and prepared well ahead of drop-off. To build excitement, your child can help you pack their bag.
A positive, consistent morning routine assists children to feel relaxed, prepared and ready for their day ahead. Establishing a predictable daily pattern of eating breakfast, adding comfort items to their bag, brushing hair and cleaning teeth assists young children to recognise they are preparing to attend the centre. Speaking positively about what is new and exciting at the centre is reassuring for your child through this transition time and beyond.
In the first few days, spend some extra minutes with your child in their room to show them you are comfortable and confident in the environment. Read a book or engage in an activity together with your child to help them feel comfortable and secure. Share information with educators to provide consistency between home and care routines.
We recognise this can be an emotional time for both children and caregivers, and we will provide the support required for your child to settle into our centre. While some children will embrace their new environment with eagerness and enthusiasm, some will be more apprehensive, which is common.
We encourage families to contact our team at any time during the day to ease any concerns. As your child begins to feel more confident and comfortable in their new surroundings, a more efficient and confident drop-off routine will soon emerge.
We look forward to welcoming your family at one of our centres to see how we can work with you and settle your child into their new routine.
Contact us
Have more questions about transitioning into our early learning centres? Contact our Family Support Team for personalised assistance and guidance.