Your child’s first day

Our Community Kids team are here to support you and your child through the settling-in period for your child’s first day and weeks to follow at our child care and early education centres. 

All children react differently; some easily adapt to new environments, while others are unsure. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to make the settling-in period easier on yourself and your child.

How to prepare

Here are a few tips on how to prepare for your child’s first day:

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, along with the new learning resources and toys they will be able to enjoy.

Let your child help to pack it and teach them to recognise their ‘own’ bag. Label all clothing, hat, and shoes (this helps both us and your child).  

To ease your child in to the centre and familiarise them with the new environment, you and your child may also like to visit the centre for short periods before the actual starting date.

Here is a list of items you will need to bring to our child care and early education centres so that your little one is ready to go from day one:

Backpack
Water bottle
Hat
Spare change of clothes, including socks and underwear
Nappies, wipes and bed linen (if the centre does not supply this)
Comfort item, child’s favourite toy or blanket

Our Family Support Team are just a phone call away to help answer any questions you have about your Community Kids centre. 

Let us help you

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.

Settling in 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 parents. 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.

How to prepare

Here are a few tips on how to prepare for your child’s first day:

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.

Let your child know you are leaving and will be coming back. A consistent approach to saying goodbye is helpful for your child to learn to predict when you will be leaving. You may choose a special place with your child where they settle before you leave.

We recognise this can be an emotional time for both children and parents, 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 parents 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.

Read our Google reviews

“Highly recommend Community Kids Annerley. My granddaughter has been attending there for almost 2 years. The staff and atmosphere are very cheery. My granddaughter loves going there.”

Paul  McConnel 

“We cannot recommend Community Kids Bayswater highly enough. Every one of the educators does such a wonderful job and really takes time to get to know each child as well as the whole family. The range of activities they organise is terrific and it really is a good sign that when we drop the kids off, they are wiggling to get out of our arms to go and play!”

M Bennett 

“We have been part of the Community Kids Centre for the last 3 years. I cannot speak highly enough about the wonderful care and support they provide for children and their families. Children are given an array of opportunities to explore, experience and engage in learning and development activities.”

Carlie  Scambler 

“A fantastic centre, that is very family & community focus. The staff are wonderful, caring & are considered a part of our family!”

Lauren Bradley 

“Community Kids Jimboomba is a fabulous daycare centre! We currently have two of our children attending this centre and they absolutely love it. The staff are amazing with the children and are constantly providing quality learning experience for children of all abilities. We would highly recommend Community Kids Jimboomba.”

Jodie Brown 

“The staff are wonderful and always happy to accommodate for what my child needs as well as providing great communication. My child is comfortable and thriving in their care.”

Olivia S 

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Contact our Family Support Team on 1800 411 604 or book a tour today to see everything we have to offer.

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