FAQ – Settling into Childcare
Your Guide to a Smooth & Happy Start
Starting childcare is a big milestone for your child and for you. It’s a journey filled with excitement, but it’s also completely normal to feel a little emotional and unsettled. Whether your child is ready to explore from day one or feels a little more apprehensive, we are here to support you both, every step of the way.
Here are answers to some common questions we hear from families as they get ready to join our child care community.
It's so important that you both feel comfortable and confident. We strongly recommend planning an orientation visit before your child's first official day.
This is a relaxed time for your child to:
- Explore their new classroom.
- Get familiar with the new sights and sounds.
- Start building a friendly connection with their educators.
Some children benefit from a couple of short visits. Just speak with your Centre Director, and together we can create a gentle start that feels right for your family.
This is one of the toughest moments for any parent. Our years of experience have shown that a quick, confident, and loving goodbye is the kindest approach.
Our tried-and-true drop-off routine:
- Give a clear warning: Let your child know what’s happening next. For example, "After we hang up your bag, Mummy is going to go to work."
- Don't linger: Once you've done the activity, say a confident goodbye with a warm kiss and a cuddle.
- Hand-off to an educator: Gently pass your child to a waiting educator who will be ready to comfort and engage them.
- Leave with confidence: Even if there are tears, leaving calmly shows your child that you trust where they are. The tears usually stop very quickly once you are out of sight as they engage in a new activity.
Your positive and trusting attitude tells your child that they are in a safe and happy place.
Your child will be busy "working"—which means playing, exploring, and discovering in a safe and stimulating environment! Our qualified educators guide children through a wonderful variety of daily experiences, including:
- Creative arts and crafts
- Music, singing, and storytelling
- Outdoor play and nature exploration
- Building friendships during group activities
- Developing self-help skills through daily routines
Talking positively about their day makes a huge difference.
When you pick them up, chat about all the fun things they did. You can use our app to see pictures and ask specific questions: "I saw you were playing in the sandpit today, that looked like so much fun!"
In the morning, you can build excitement by talking about what they might do or which friends they will see when they get to The Hive.
As an all-inclusive centre, we take care of the essentials like meals, snacks, nappies, and wipes. All you need to pack is:
- A labelled bag.
- Plenty of spare clothing (in case of messy play or toileting accidents).
- A labelled water bottle.
- Any comfort items, like a special soft toy or dummy, that will help your child feel secure.
- Pre-made bottles if your child requires formula or expressed breast milk.
- Food (depending on the centre)
- Sheets for rest time for children in the Toddler and Preschool rooms.
