Your First Day
We are so pleased you have decided to join us. The initial settling in period can be a bit daunting for both you and your child, so we’ve created this simple guide to help you. Please feel free to ask the teachers or myself if you have any questions.
What to bring each day
In a school bag please pack:
- 2 x sets of spare clothes (named)
- A sunhat / warm hat (depending on the season)
- Pre-prepared bottles of formula (named) if your child is under 2 years old
- Nappies if required
- A comforter if required
Please leave special toys at home as they can get lost or damaged.
What to do on your child’s first day
On your first day please come and see me or my 2IC, so we can help re-orientate you to the centre, show you where things go, and let you know what the procedures are etc.
What to do in the morning
- Complete the sign in sheet located in the Over 2 Room
- Scan your child’s name on the bar code sheet located in our Over 2 Room on the shelf beside the computer.
- Put bag away – your child’s locker or bag hook will have their name on it and is located in the foyer for our Over 2′s and in the cubby holes in our Under 2 Room.
- If your child needs medicine, fill out a medication form (located in the Medication Form Folder which is kept in beside the sign in / out sheets for Over 2′s and on the shelf in Under 2′s) and hand the named medicine to a teacher who will then place it in the fridge or in a safe place.
- Place nappies (with your child’s name written on the bag) in the bathroom on the nappy change table or please hand them to a teacher (this only applies to Over 2 children as nappies are supplied in Under 2′s).
- Place pre-prepared formula bottles on the bench to your left just before you open the gate to walk down the corridor into the Over 2 room.
- Settle your child into the room by either engaging them in an activity or approaching a teacher. Don’t forget that initially it’s helpful for you to stay a short while to help your child settle and for you to get to know their teachers.
- To help with the initial separation it’s best to say something like, “Bye, I’ll be back this afternoon” rather than leave unnoticed. Please feel free to discuss the separation process with me if you are unsure at this time.
What to do in the afternoon
- Complete the sign out sheet
- Scan your child’s name on the bar code sheet
- Collect your child’s bag and any belongings that may have slipped out
- Collect formula bottles (these are most likely already in your child’s bag) and medicine (if applicable)
- Check daily notices, located in the foyer, and day’s activities boards located on the wall in each room. If your child is under 1 check their daily diary to see when they slept, when they had a bottle etc.
- Check your parent pocket for any notices or invoices
- If you wish, have a quick chat with a teacher to find out more about your child’s day
- Find your child – if they haven’t found you already!
Special Achievement Journals and our Policies
- Your child has a Special Achievement Journal / Portfolio which chronicles their achievements and learning stories. We encourage you to review and contribute to it on a regular basis. Please ask me or any of our teachers how you can contribute. The Journals / Portfolios are kept in a cane basket in each room.
- All of our policies are kept in the Policy Folder which is located upstairs. You are welcome to ask a teacher to get these for you should you wish to view them at any time.
Routines
Under 2′s routine: The children arrive and have free play until 9am at which time they are gathered together for a mat time. Morning tea follows and then nappy changes. At this point the children who have 2 sleeps daily go to bed, the older toddlers stay up and play – often going outside into the main playground (weather permitting). Lunch begins at 11am and then the older toddlers go down to sleep. As the first group wake up they have their lunch and play. Then at 2pm there is another mat time, followed by afternoon tea. Sleep time again for the little ones, nappy changes and then free play until home time.
Over 2′s routine: The children arrive and have free play until 9.10am when we then begin a rolling morning tea until about 9.45am-10am. After this nappies are changed and the children are free to play both inside and outside until lunch. At 11am the group is split, those who sleep going for lunch first, and the remainder of the group playing until around 11.45am when they go down to have their lunch. During this time when the younger ones are sleeping the 4 year olds are taken for their special ‘scholar time’ lead by teacher Laura. As the ‘sleepers’ wake up nappies are changed and by 2pm there is another mat time. All children have afternoon tea together at 2.15 and then again play both inside and out for the remainder of the day.
Programming
You will often hear us talk about ‘programming’ and see displays up on the walls. Programming is the focus of children’s learning and is based on the needs and interests of individual children or groups of children.
For example, some of our children may develop an interest in aspects of nature. So we support and guide the children’s learning around this by doing research, doing a “show and tell” with nature items from home and we’ll go and explore in the garden etc.
Additionally, we encourage you to get involved and help continue this learning at home. To find out more feel free to talk to me or any of our teachers.
Don’t forget…
We encourage you to call and check on your child during the settling period. We understand that it’s hard for parents to leave their child with us for the first few times, and often it’s more upsetting for the parents than the child! So please feel free to call us as often as you need.
We also realise that the initial settling in period can be hard on some children. Don’t worry; our teachers will keep a close eye on your child and will always be there with lots of cuddles for them.
And finally…
Welcome! We look forward to working with you to help your child develop, grow, learn, laugh and make friends.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to talk to me.
Kind regards,
Cherene Daley,
Centre Manager