Starting at C&K | C&K - childcare and kindergarten

Starting at C&K

Welcome

How exciting that your child and your family are starting at a C&K centre. We want to make sure this time of “all things new” is enjoyable, calm and positive. 

Visiting your centre

We encourage you to meet your child’s Director and Educators. You might like to visit your centre before you start and explore our play areas or participate in one of our “Stay and Play” sessions. Your centre will have a number of orientation activities for your child and family leading up to your child’s first day. Your Director will ensure that you know exactly what you need to bring on Day One. 

We recommend:  

  • Spare clothing (learning can get messy sometimes) 
  • Sheet or cot sheet – standard cot size 
  • Wide brimmed legionnaires hat  
  • Nutritious food for the day – your Centre Director shall immediately advise you of any food that will be provided and any food to avoid bringing, in case of Allergies at your centre
  • Water bottle 
  • All of our kindy friends receive one free C&K hat and t-shirt with their enrolment.  

Additional hats and t-shirts can be purchased from our online shop. 

Ask questions

Know that you can always contact the Director and talk with them about any questions you might have before your child starts. You may for example want to clarify the centre operating hours and fees listed on the webpage of your C&K centre. We want your child and your family to feel confident and ready to enjoy their experience from the very first day. 

Talk it through with your child

In the lead up to Day One, talk with your child about what the first day will be like. If your child has visited the centre with you, talk about what they saw, who they talked to, what their favourite experience was, where the children put their bags and what the toilets looked like. 

On the day

We are here to support your child and your family through the first day, there may be tears, excitement and anxiety so please give yourself plenty of time to arrive and settle in. You and your child may be a bit nervous about the first day, and this is completely normal. Your child’s educators will be on hand to support you both as you start this new journey together.  

 

Show your child where to put their belongings and reassure them that you will be returning later in the day to pick them up. Ask your child to show you something interesting in the indoor or outdoor play area. 

 

All children are different; some will bound off and join other children as soon as they arrive, and others will require a bit more time to feel comfortable, so give yourselves plenty of time to settle in on that first day. 

 

Your child may become upset with a few tears. Reassure them that you will be returning later that day and feel confident knowing our experienced and caring educators will make your child feel safe, secure, and comfortable. 

 

Call us anytime

And don’t forget you can always call us during the day to see how your child is going and how they are settling in. 

Show me...

When you pick up your child, ask about their day and get them to show you something interesting that they found or did during the day. 

Family Handbook

For more insights into the kinds of experiences your child will have at C&K and what to expect in the year ahead, you can download a copy of our C&K Family Handbook.