Orientation sessions and meeting your educators
Whether it’s your first year or you’re returning, all families are welcome to orientation. It’s a great way to help your child feel confident and happy in their new environment.
Orientation includes a meet and greet with your educators at the service before your child starts and then further conversations once they start, depending on your child’s specific needs, interests, likes and dislikes, and any concerns you may have.
These conversations will be held at the beginning of term one at kindergarten services or at long day care when you start, whether in January or during the year.
Your educators will be able to offer advice and strategies to assist you in supporting your child’s transition into early learning.
We will share dates and details for your child’s orientation and first day.
What to bring to kindergarten
- A backpack/bag
- A complete change of clothing (including extra clothing if your child is not yet independent in going to the toilet)
- A wide-brimmed sun hat and sunglasses. (We also encourage the application of SPF 30 or higher sunscreen before attending. Further information on our Sun Protection Policy can be found on our Policies page)
- Nutritional food for the day, including lunch and morning and afternoon snacks
- A drink bottle filled with fresh water
- If your child would like to bring along a favourite toy from home for emotional comfort, please let your educator know. We can’t accept responsibility for toys brought from home.
Services are busy, and it’s easy for things to go missing, so please label anything your child brings, even their favourite toy.
What to wear
We recommend comfortable clothing which allows for freedom of movement while being mindful of both the weather conditions and safe sleeping guidelines. Your child’s clothing should be appropriate for messy and active play, along with suitable, firm grip sole shoes that enclose their feet. Thongs and Crocs are not recommended.
Eating nutritious food at kindergarten
As part of our program, we encourage eating habits that support children’s wellbeing while at kindergarten, as well as supporting children to learn how to listen to their body and what it needs throughout each session.
At kindergarten, children will engage in routines that promote good nutrition so that they can be active participants in learning – nutritious food is the fuel our brains need for healthy development. We also know that sharing your family history and culture may happen through food and our teaching teams would love to hear about this as we build new relationships together.
You know your child and their eating habits best, so providing enough food for the kindergarten session is helpful and depending on the length of the session, you may want to have multiple containers for food (e.g. Morning, Lunch and Afternoon).
You can include nutritious foods that your child eats regularly at home in a lunch box or container that they can open and close easily, as well as a water bottle.
Children will be encouraged to listen to their cues about hunger and when they are full and won’t be forced to eat food at kindergarten.
Click here for more healthy eating information.
If you have a question, fill out the form and one of our team will get back to you.
ECMS acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live, learn, work and play. Aboriginal people have a long tradition of teaching and learning through sharing their connections with country, community, language and culture. We recognise their continuing connection to the country, and we pay respects to elders past and present.