Starting childcare is a really big milestone for little ones and their families. At Child’s Play Early Learning Centres, we know this transition can be both exciting and a little daunting for everyone involved! Children are introduced to a new and engaging environment, while parents adjust to the adventure of drop-offs and new routines.
So to help, we put a lot of time and care into creating welcoming and supportive childcare orientation sessions, designed to help every family feel at home and every child feel ready to thrive. In this blog, we’ll share how orientation sessions make this transition smoother, along with some helpful tips for parents to make the process even easier!
Why is childcare orientation so important?
Orientation sessions are essentially a bridge between the familiar and the unknown for little ones as they ease into their new learning environment. It’s really important for children to get used to their new surroundings, their educators, and their peers – and each one is a unique and exciting challenge. For parents, these sessions are a chance to understand our approach to learning, meet the team, and feel totally confident about the new childcare centre.
Slowly, but surely
“Orientations are so important because they help children transition into a new environment they may not have experienced before. It’s a chance for them to become familiar with the room and educators, build connections with others, and feel safe and confident in their new space,” says Loo Kelton, Assistant Manager at Child’s Play Torquay.
“We offer one-hour childcare orientation sessions across a minimum of two days. If additional sessions are needed, we work closely with families to accommodate multiple sessions. These sessions typically begin 2–3 weeks before the official start date, giving everyone time to adjust. By spacing out the process, we can ensure that administrative tasks like paperwork are completed beforehand, leaving parents free to focus entirely on their child’s adjustment,” she says.
Exploring Different Experiences
Children thrive when they’re given the chance to adapt to their new surroundings. That’s why we encourage families to visit at different times of the day during orientation. This allows little ones to experience the full spectrum of our daily schedule and feel comfortable in each setting. Here are a few options that might be perfect for your little one to experience –
- 10:00 AM – Indoor/Outdoor Program: This is a lively time for children to explore their environment, engage in activities, and meet new friends.
- 11:30 AM – Progressive Meal: This is an opportunity for children to get used to eating with others, and start making connections over a simple shared activity.
- 12:00 PM – Quiet Play: This would be a gentler introduction to the new environment, ideal for children who may feel overwhelmed by lots of noise and activity.
By visiting the centre at different times, your little one will get a more holistic experience of what we do every day, which will better prepare them for their first day!
It’s for parents too
Childcare orientation isn’t just for the children – it’s a big deal for parents too. Adjusting to drop-offs and pick-ups, and trusting someone else with your little one is a new experience for most families. Which is why we’re here to support parents every step of the way.
We work with you, factoring in your availability and preferences to make sure that the process aligns with your needs, and takes the pressure off of the sessions. This means you can feel better prepared, more confident, and totally reassured about your child’s transition.
The goal of orientation is to make every family feel part of the Child’s Play community. By the time the first official day of childcare arrives, children are relaxed and excited about the journey ahead. Plus parents feel a sense of trust and confidence, knowing that their child is in safe hands!
As one parent, Piotr Nowak, shared:
‘Child’s Play ‘is the second childcare facility we’ve sent our daughter to. Our first experience was very unfortunate, but Child’s Play Wyndham Vale is a completely different story. In the past, it was a daily struggle to motivate my daughter to go to childcare. But with Child’s Play? She eagerly waits for me to take her there! Educators, admin and support staff are fantastic- all of them.
Tips for parents
Here are a few top tips for parents and caregivers to help your little ones feel more comfortable throughout the childcare orientation process:
- Involve them by packing their bags together and focusing on the exciting experiences ahead – like making friends and trying new activities.
- Spend time settling your child by showing them the room and introducing them to educators
- Encourage them to start engaging with toys and activities, which you could play with them
- Always say goodbye and let them know when you’ll return to build trust.
Remember, it’s completely normal for children to feel nervous about being away from their parents. Your child might take a few weeks to settle in and could have some ups and downs, but that’s okay! We’ll be with them every step of the way, offering support and reassurance, and before long, they’ll feel at home and start looking forward to their time here.
Every Child Matters
At Child’s Play Early Learning Centres, we believe in creating the most positive and supportive start for every child. Our belief that Every Child Matters is a commitment to you to make sure that the transition to childcare happens at their pace – and in a way that makes them feel completely comfortable and confident. Learn more about getting started at Child’s Play and book a tour with us! We can’t wait to meet you and become the springboard for your little one’s educational journey!
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