Settling Your Child

Settling your child  

Settling of children into the centre is done as a carefully managed process; where the child is allowed the opportunity to explore the environment at their own pace and become familiar with the routines and practices here, whilst still maintaining a sense of security and attachment with their parents/whānau.  

A minimum of three settling visits must be undertaken alongside the child’s parent or whānau member. Some children may require a longer transition period; this is decided in conjunction with parents/whānau during the settling process. It is preferable that settling visits occur as close as is practical to the planned start date.  

On at least one of the settling visits (ideally the last one), it is required that the attending parent/whānau member will leave the child here for a period without them. It is important that you prepare your child for this and explain to them in advance that you will be leaving and returning after a period. At the time you leave, please say farewell to your child and explain again that you are leaving and will return. This process is very important for our building a relationship of trust with your child.  Please ensure you leave your contact details with staff before you leave.  

Any child who we deem are not emotionally ready for preschool life on their planned start date will need to have an extended settling plan, which will be tailored in conjunction with parents/whānau to meet the individual needs of the child.  

On your child’s start date, please allow time for your child to settle into the centre before you leave. Please also ensure that you have clearly explained to them in advance that you will not be staying with them. If your child has a favourite snuggly toy or comfort item, please feel free bring this.  

Once you are comfortable that they are settled, please say farewell to your child before you leave. It is quite normal for children to sometimes become upset at this point, especially when they are new to preschool. The teachers are here to support you and your child through this process, and teachers will provide guidance on how to manage the separation process with minimal stress. In cases where children are distressed when parents leave, we will follow up with a phone call to you shortly afterwards to let you know that your child has in fact settled and is happy.  

 Whānau Teacher (Primary Caregiver)  

A teacher is assigned to each child once enrolment is confirmed. The whānau teacher is responsible for ensuring that supportive and positive relationships are built with the child and their family. They will work alongside the child and their family as they transition into the centre; and they will also be primarily responsible for communicating daily with parents during drop off and pick up times, whenever this is possible.  

The whānau teacher will be primarily available on a one-on-one basis for infants and toddlers, to offer consistent primary-care giving. Care moments such as feeding, sleeping and toileting will be undertaken in an unhurried fashion, following the cues and rhythms of each individual child. Your whānau teacher is also responsible for ensuring that your child has a special profile book that records their individual learning experiences.   

Once your child is settled into the centre however, the whole teaching team pool their individual strengths and work together to support and document each child’s learning and development as a team.