SETTLING THE CHILDREN INTO THE CENTRE

AN EFFECTIVE ORIENTATION PROCESS:
Staff recognise that a child's transition from home to the centre is an important time and work to ease that transition so a new child can be helped to settle quickly
Staff recognise the importance of both parents and children's feelings at this time and will accept these feelings and make themselves available to listen.
Parents are encouraged to spend time visiting the centre with their child prior to leaving them for the first time.
Where possible, the Child Care Coordinator and appropriate Primary caregiver will work with the parents to plan a series of visits to support the child and parent and to familiarise them with the centre staff, routines, procedures and activities.
The assigned Primary caregiver (educator) plays an active and ongoing role in gathering information that will help to provide continuity of care and education between home and centre.
Primary Educators regularly discuss with the family how their child is adjusting and they plan together to support the child settling in.
Where a child is having difficulty with transition, parents will be encouraged to stay until the child has been able to form an attachment with staff or is able to manage without undue stress.
Staff will communicate with parents to learn about their child, in order to respond sensitively and culturally appropriately to each child's individual needs. Where possible, familiar routines around sleep, feeding and comforting will be adopted by the staff.
Comfort objects from home will be encouraged and be available for the child.
Where a child shows signs of trauma over separation the staff will continue close consultation with parents and also seek other advice, in the best interests of the child and their future separations.

TRANSITION PROCEDURE
Parent orientation evening (at the Kindy House) for the parents and children progressing from the Baby House to Kindy House (during every intake).
With parents approval the assistant director (from the Baby House) will arrange an evening and time with the director (from the Kindy House)
Parents will meet the staff from the Kindy House (the child's Primary caregiver), become familiar with policies and will update their enrolment form.