Putting your baby into childcare for the first time
Placing your precious little one into childcare for the first time is a significant and emotional step, especially for new parents. It's completely natural to have concerns and questions about entrusting your baby to the care of others and how both you and your child will adapt to this change.
At Children First, we understand the challenges that come with this journey, and we bring years of experience in welcoming and supporting new parents just like you. We firmly believe that every family's childcare journey should be a joyful and enriching one, filled with moments of fun, trust, and, most importantly, continuous learning.
To assist you through this important phase, we have put together this article to provide you with valuable information and insights about the process of placing your baby into childcare for the first time. Our aim is to offer guidance and support, ensuring that both you and your child experience a smooth and positive transition into this new chapter of early childhood development.
Choose a childcare centre where your family will feel comfortable
Choosing the right childcare centre for your family’s needs is such a personal decision. It’s so important that you choose the childcare service that you can see fitting in with your family’s values, and where you know your child will be happy, supported, and well-cared for.
Each centre will have their own approach and philosophy towards care and early education. Therefore, it is important to do your research on a centre so you know whether it aligns with your family.
For example, at Children First, our approach is The Abecedarian Approach, which places a priority on high quality adult to child interactions and children’s language acquisitions. This means that our Educators spend more time engaging and interacting with the children, and through this high-quality adult to child interactions, our Educators are enabled to meet the child’s needs because they are observing and interacting with the child more closely.
Find out what’s included in the fees
When exploring childcare options, it's important to inquire about any inclusions provided as part of your daily fee. At Children First, we understand the challenges parents face, and we aim to support you by offering various inclusions that assist with your daily routine and household budget.
For instance, we provide inclusions such as nappies, bed linen, meals, sunscreen and wipes. These inclusions can be very convenient, especially when you have so much to organise as a parent. They can also be a significant relief for your household budget.
As your baby begins to transition to solids, the inclusion of healthy meals can also be incredibly convenient for busy parents. When considering a childcare centre, it's also essential to ask about how they cater to children's allergies and dietary requirements. Our team at Children First are dedicated to accommodating various dietary needs to ensure your child's well-being. In fact, the first time you enquire with us you will be asked whether your child has any dietary requirements or special needs! Furthermore, we have a Centre Chef onsite at the centre, which prepares healthy and nutritious meals every day, which can be tailored to your child’s needs.
We take a cautious approach when introducing new foods to your child. We won't serve anything that they haven't already tried at home. This approach ensures that your child's dietary preferences are respected and that they have a comfortable and enjoyable mealtime experience at our centre.
Lastly, we understand the importance of a good start to the day, so we offer parents freshly made barista coffee and a baked treat, providing you with a little perk to kickstart your busy day. We aim to create an environment where both parents and children feel supported and valued.
Ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable
When you're considering a childcare centre, it's essential to ask as many questions as you need to feel confident and comfortable with your decision. During the initial inquiry and throughout the enrolment process, as well as even after your child has started attending, never hesitate to bring up any new questions or concerns you may have. There's no question too trivial or unimportant when it comes to the well-being and happiness of your child. Our aim is to support you, and we want you to feel as comfortable as possible throughout this journey.
In addition to your questions, your centre and Educators will also have their own set of inquiries. These are designed to ensure a smooth and successful transition into childcare for your child. It's all part of creating an environment that caters to your child's individual needs and ensures their well-being.
Before your baby’s first day, our Educators will collect all the information required regarding your little one, such as their eating requirements, allergies, or any other additional needs of the child. Each child is unique, so we ensure we ask lots of questions and get lots of information, so we are providing the best quality care for each individual child within our service.
What are the ratios in the Nursery Room?
Something that is really important to ask, is the ratios of Educators to children in the Nursery Room. The centre you are enquiring at must follow the rules for ratios for their particular type of care, as these rules are in place to ensure the best and safest possible care for your little one. View a handy table of required ratios at www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/educator-to-child-ratios
At a centre-based long daycare like Children First, the ratio for Educators to babies (up to 24 months) is 1:4. That means there is one Educator dedicated to every four babies. However, due to the rapid development milestones at this early age, we separate the younger babies in the Nursery Classroom, whilst the older babies are in the Tiny Tots Classroom. This ensures we are providing a safer, more age-appropriate environment for the children in our care and allows our Educators to provide age-appropriate activities and resources based on their development stage.
Will my baby miss me and be unhappy if I’m not there?
Feeling apprehensive when leaving your baby in childcare is entirely normal and understandable. It's important to know that our Educators are highly trained and dedicated to forming strong bonds and nurturing relationships with the little ones in their care. The emotional well-being of your baby is a top priority for them.
At Children First, we go the extra mile to provide you with peace of mind. We encourage parents to reach out to the centre if they ever wish to check in on their little one. Additionally, our Educators will provide you with regular updates and delightful photos of your baby's day through our mobile app, KindyHub. This way, you can stay connected and informed about your baby's activities and well-being, even when you're apart.
Will my baby be safe?
It's completely natural for new parents to have concerns and questions, especially when it comes to the safety of their child. It's crucial that you have peace of mind knowing your little one is receiving the best possible care.
If at any point, you have concerns about the safety or well-being of your child in the chosen centre, it's important to address them promptly. Don't hesitate to talk to the Educators and Centre Management to rectify any situation or issue that may arise. A good childcare centre will prioritise your child's safety and well-being and will take immediate action to address and resolve any concerns.
At Children First, the safety of your child is of the utmost importance to us and all our Educators have ongoing training to ensure we are providing the safest environment for your little one. We have a comprehensive Child Safe Environment Policy in place to guide staff practices, and we also follow the Red Nose Guidelines to provide a safe sleeping environment. Annual Child Protection training is also completed to support creating child-safe environments.
Centre tours
Before you enrol, you will be invited on a tour of the centre. On your tour look carefully at the Nursery environment your little one will be in. Is it a safe, happy, and nurturing space where you will feel secure that your little one is getting the best care possible? Do the children seem happy, settled, and comfortable in their environment? And how do the Educators in the room make you feel? Can you see bonds and relationships between the Educators and the babies?
When you go on your tour of the centre, also ask to see the full centre and all classrooms, not just the Nursery Room. Continuity of care is so important for a little one’s growth and development, and by looking through the whole centre and the different classrooms, you will be able to make a more informed choice as to if this is the centre for your family’s childcare journey.
Meet and Greets
At Children First, Meet and Greets are offered to all our new parents, because we want you and your little one to feel totally comfortable and secure before the big first day. These are also known as ‘stay and plays’ at other childcare centres.
Meet and Greets are really important for both parents and children, as it allows both you and your little one to begin to familiarise yourselves with the Nursery learning environment and begin to form bonds and relationships with your Educators.
It’s extremely important to us that parents trust our Educators to look after their child. Forming a bond with the child AND the family, is key to forming this trust, so we encourage parents to have as many Meet and Greets as they need.
Spending time with the Educators in the Nursery Room prior to starting will also allow them to really get to know your child and their individual needs before they start care, which tends to decrease the time it takes to settle a new child into care.
During your Tour, your Meet and Greet, and throughout your childcare journey, continue to talk to the Educators about any additional needs, routines, or requirements your little one may have. Good Educators are highly trained to communicate with families to ensure every individual child receives the best care possible, and they will want to know everything about your little one to ensure their time in care is a nurturing and rewarding experience.
Choose how many days you would like your little one to attend
The number of days you choose to put your baby into childcare is a highly personal decision, and it should align with your individual needs and circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the choice is entirely up to you.
You have the flexibility to tailor your child's attendance to your preferences. You might opt to start gradually, allowing your little one (and yourself) to ease into their new environment and routine. On the other hand, you may need full-time care due to work or other commitments.
Regardless of whether you choose one day a week or a full five days, you can rest assured that good Educators will prioritise making your little one feel happy, settled, and secure in their new childcare environment. Their well-being and comfort are of utmost importance, and the childcare centre's staff will work diligently to ensure a smooth transition and a positive experience for both you and your child.
Packing for daycare
Your centre will give you a list of what to bring to childcare each day when you enrol, but do feel free to ask any questions about what to bring or what not to bring before the big day to help you feel organised early. Ensure your child’s belongings are labelled with their name.
As an example, at Children First we ask parents to bring:
- A backpack
- A hat
- Two spare changes of clothes to suit the weather
- A comforter such as a dummy, teddy, or blanket
- A drink bottle with water only
- Sterilised bottles (please note that milk teats must be covered by a cap; bottles to be made up for formula must contain the correct amount of cooled, boiled water)
- Formula (must be pre-measured in a measured container)
- If your baby is breastfeeding, we do accept breast milk at Children First, and we are also a breastfeeding friendly centre.
Your first day
As you approach your child's first day at the childcare centre, it's completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. To ensure a smooth start, there are a few practical steps you can take:
- Review the Packing List: The childcare centre likely provided you with a list of items to pack for your child. Take some time the day or night before to prepare everything on this list. Make sure to label your child's belongings as needed to avoid any mix-ups.
- Prepare in Advance: Preparing in advance will help reduce stress on the big day. By having everything ready the night before, you can focus on spending quality time with your child in the morning.
- Bring Comfort Items: On the first day, bring along your child's comfort item, whether it's a favourite stuffed animal, blanket, or toy. This familiar object can help your child feel safe and secure in their new environment.
- Choose Comfortable Clothing: Dress your baby in comfortable clothes suitable for the weather. Opt for clothing that is easy to remove for toileting and nappy changes. Don't forget to prioritise sun-safety by ensuring your child has a top that covers their shoulders and a hat for outdoor activities with their Educators.
When you arrive at the centre, you’ll be greeted by Educators and other staff. At Children First, security of children is absolutely paramount, so if you’re attending our centre, you’ll be provided the door code and shown how to use our Sign In/Out Kiosks.
You’ll then be taken to the Nursery Room, where the Educators will be ready to assist as soon as you arrive and will greet you and your little one and help you put away your baby’s items in their locker. If your baby requires medication, you will hand this over to the Educators at this time and be asked to fill out a medication form. Ask any questions at all, as your Educators will want you to feel at ease and will be happy to chat.
How to say goodbye
Saying goodbye on your child's first day of childcare can be emotionally challenging, but it's essential to stay as calm as possible, even if your little one begins to cry. Remember that this is a normal part of the transition process, and Educators are highly trained to support your child during this adjustment period.
While it might be tempting to linger or wait for your child to stop crying, the best approach for both you and your child is to calmly say your goodbyes to the Educators and your little one and then leave the room. Trust in the expertise of the Educators to provide comfort and care to your child during this time. Similarly, it is important not to sneak away whilst your child is engaged in play. Make a point of saying goodbye so that they know you have left and you are not giving them an unexpected surprise when they realise you are gone.
It's entirely natural for separation anxiety to occur, especially on the first day, but with patience, consistency, and the support of caring Educators, most children quickly adapt to their new childcare environment. Also, don’t worry if you start to cry too! Lots of new parents find that first moment saying goodbye to their little one really hard, and rest assured you’ll not be the first parent to cry on their baby’s first day and the Educators will be ready with tissues and a kind word!
You may like to phone for updates throughout the day, and at Children First we encourage parents to phone as many times as needed. You can also login to the Kindyhub mobile app where the Educators will provide you with regular updates and photos throughout the day.
Will the centre follow my child’s home routine?
One of the things the Educators will ask you is your baby’s routine at home. The Educators will then follow this routine as closely as possible to ensure the baby is settled and comfortable in their new environment.
How long will it take my baby to settle into care?
It's important to remember that it takes some time for babies to settle into childcare, especially if they're used to being primarily with their parents. Patience is key during this transition period, along with the creation of an exciting and engaging environment for the children at the centre.
Babies are naturally curious and can focus remarkably well when they're exploring the world, forming new relationships, and developing essential skills. As they become familiar with their new environment and the caring Educators, they'll gradually become more comfortable and confident in their new environment.
Maintaining continuity between the centre and home is also a helpful strategy. Talking about the Educators and the childcare environment at home can create a sense of consistency and familiarity for your child, making the transition smoother.
Each child is different and therefore the time it may take to transition is also different. With time, patience, and a nurturing environment, your little one will soon settle into their new childcare routine and begin to enjoy their time at the centre.
If you would like to find out more about Children First Early Education, contact our friendly Enrolments Team on 1300 004 111 or visit our contact page to enquire online.
