Menu
Orientation Program
Orientation is an important start for your child and family to connect to our Service. We encourage each child to attend Buttercups in the company of the primary carer. The first visit is to meet the educators and the child to explore his new environment and to endeavour a bond with the child without them feeling overwhelmed. This will give the parent\carer time to observe how the child and educators interact with other children, which will reassure them seeing firsthand the positive tone – the Buttercups way. This gives you and your child the opportunity to gain an understanding of our program, the lay out of the room, where to find things, provide Educators with additional information about your child and how we can best support their transition and settling period.
If your child is reluctant to attend, please discuss this with their assigned Educator so that they can develop strategies with you to support the transition from home to Buttercups. Orientation visits maybe repeated as many time as staff and families feel necessary in the two-week period after the child is left in the care of the staff at Buttercups. We encourage you to phone at any time to check on your child’s progress throughout the day.
Communication between home and Buttercups must be open and happen often to best support your child during this time. There may be tears and extra tight hugs when saying goodbye for the first few weeks but there are always cuddles, reassurance and genuine care from Educators for both the children and their families. Sometimes this experience is upsetting more so for the family than the child. We understand this and offer support through phone calls during the day, photos and open communication.
How to prepare for Daycare
The best way to prepare your child for childcare is to get excited! It’s the start of an amazing period of growth and development for them. If you’re happy they’re more likely to be happy.
What to expect on Day One
First days can be tough for both parents and children, so it’s natural to feel a bit anxious about this big change to the family routine.
At Buttercups we are always concerned about the safety of you and your child. Our centre staff are more than happy to explain the process of dropping off your child and saying goodbye. Our staff will stay in touch during your child’s first day and let you know how things are going. At the end of each day you can talk to our staff or read through their observations to get a feel for how well your child is adapting at Buttercups.
We our passionate about the well being and happiness of your child at Buttercups, will do everything to help your child to settle in quickly. Before you know it they’ll have made new friends and be running in without even a hug and wave goodbye!
What to bring
When you enrol at Buttercups we will provide you with a detail list of items to pack for your child’s visit each day to childcare. The following is a list of items to consider:
- A sun-smart hat which covers your child’s face, neck and ears. We have a sun smart policy at Buttercups.
- Change of clothes (when involved with hands-on play-based learning, your child may get a little messy)
- Comfort item (if required), such as a toy or blanket
- Dummy in a sealed, named container (if required)
- Milk bottles with your child’s name on it (if required)
- Expressed breast milk frozen and in a cool bag (if required)
- Nappies, wipes and cream
- Water bottle with a lid or a sippy cup with your child’s name on it
- Any medications – medications must be given to our staff for security and staff storage in a locked medical cabinet.
Remember to label all your child’s items. All items need to be packed in a back pack clearly labelled with you child’s full name.
If you have any queries please ask our staff.
Saying goodbye
Ideally, your child will be settled at an activity before you leave, however some children find it hard to settle until their parents have gone. What works best is a set routine so try to establish the care routine from the orientation process. Being well organised and avoiding a rush usually results in a calm start to the day.
Most children will want to have a look around first to see who else has arrived and to look at what activities are available. Please tell your child when you are leaving as they may become upset if they haven’t had the opportunity to say goodbye. This gains trust from the child, not only in you, but in the Educator who is reassuring your child about their day and when you will return. Rest assured we will ring you if your child is distressed.
