Starting Childcare & Kindergarten: A Smooth Transition Guide for Parents
Feb 18, 2025 | aliciamarcano | Diggers Rest, Eucalyptus, Galada, Kirrip, Mill Park Heights, News, Orchard Road, The Heights
Starting childcare or kindergarten is a big milestone for your child. They will encounter a completely new environment—new people, routines, toys, and activities.
A smooth transition happens when families prepare their child for these changes in advance. Every child adjusts differently—some settle in quickly, while others take more time. It’s also normal for children to experience moments of regression during the transition.
How to prepare my child for childcare?
There may be times of stress and challenge for your child and the adults. There may be different responses from children and changes in their behaviour at home, and their needs may also vary such as becoming more attached to the carer at home. To help your child feel secure and adjust smoothly, here are some key strategies to support their social and emotional development.
Slow Kindergarten adjustment period:
Easing into childcare can help your child adjust. If possible, start with short days and stay with them for a while. Gradually increase the time they spend there alone, working up to a full day.
Communicate with your child:
Talk to your child about what they will do at preschool. For example, you might say, ‘Stella, do you remember the blocks we saw at preschool? You can build with them just like at home!’ Looking at preschool photos together can also help. Point out what’s different from home, such as the toilets or playground, to make the transition easier.
Positive Affirmations:
Using positive affirmations can help your child develop confidence, resilience, and a positive outlook as they adjust to childcare or kindergarten. Here are some affirmations you can say together:
“I am brave”
“I will make new friends”
“I will have a lot of fun”
“I will play with new toys”
Communicate with your child’s educators:
Talking to your child’s educators can make the transition smoother. With their experience in settling young children, they can offer helpful strategies tailored to your child and family.
Books to Read Before Starting Preschool:
Read books about starting preschool. Below is a list of storybooks that you can purchase or borrow from your library;
First day by Margaret Wild
I love you all day long by Francesca Rusackas
Maisy goes to preschool by Lucy Cousins
Tom goes to kindergarten by Margaret Wild
What to expect at preschool by Heidi Murkoff
Victoria Bubbles and the great preschool adventure by Lizzie Dingle.
Routines:
Routines can help your child feel safe and secure, especially when things are new. Set up a morning routine for preschool—such as waking up, having breakfast, brushing teeth, getting dressed, putting on sunscreen, packing the lunchbox, and leaving. You could even create a visual chart to show each step.
Goodbye Routines That Work:
When saying goodbye, let your child know you’ll pick them up at the end of the day. Choose a special spot or activity for the goodbye. For example, ‘If you wave to me from the window, I’ll be able to see you,’ or ‘Which book shall we read before I go?’
Make sure your child is focused when you say goodbye and then leave after saying it once. Repeated goodbyes can be stressful for both of you.
Celebrate small achievements:
Joining a new group, meeting new people, and adapting to a new environment are significant achievements for your child. Celebrate these milestones to build their confidence. For example, praise them when they make new friends or try something new. You could also encourage your child to share their achievements with a family member.
Have a backup pick up plan:
Preschool sessions usually end at a set time, so if you tell your child you’ll be there at a specific time, it’s important to be on time. Have a backup plan in case you’re delayed, so someone you and your child trust can pick them up. If the usual pick-up person can’t make it, inform the preschool teachers, who will ensure your child’s safety and let them know who’s coming.
Allowing your child time to settle into their new environment is key. Every child is unique, and they may need different strategies during the transition. If you or your educators notice significant changes or difficulties, it’s important to discuss them. Keep in mind that your child may act differently at home than at preschool. Collaborating with your child’s educators is essential for supporting their wellbeing and development, ensuring they have opportunities to grow into healthy, confident individuals.
How to Tell If Your Child Needs Extra Support in Childcare & Kindergarten
You should speak with your child’s educators or work together with them if:
– Your child is still highly emotional and dysregulated (crying, temper tantrums, meltdowns, screaming) majority of the day after 4-6 weeks and still unable to settle
– Your child is not eating or drinking at childcare
– Your child is still having difficulty making friends or playing with other children at preschool and displays behavioural concerns. This could look like, struggling to read or follow social cues, struggle interactions and engaging in aggressive or inappropriate behaviours such as hitting, pushing, hurting themselves or others
-Your child still displays language and communication delays such as struggle to express their needs and ideas with others, understand and follow through with information, messages and commands
– Your child struggled with their ability to focus or concentrate and becomes easily distracted or shows lack of interest to learning and tasks
– Your child displays lack of interest towards others such as no interest to play with other children, no interest to join in meal times, mat time or small groups experiences
– Your child is still requiring adult support with their self-care skills such as dressing and undressing, washing hands, feeding self, toileting.
– Physical health concerns such as frequently complains of headaches, stomach aches etc
– Significant changes at home such as not eating, sleeping, frequently emotional and has meltdowns etc.
– Other developmental delays such as gross motor, fine motor, cognitive skills.
You can also contact the Early Years Engagement Support team (EYES) to discuss any concerns and receive support for your child’s learning and development. The team can guide you in accessing the right resources and provide strategies and tools for both the home and preschool environment. You can reach them at: Eyes@yinclusion.org.au
Learn more about early childhood development from: https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/family-life/routines-rituals-rules/family-routines
Want more expert tips on childhood transitions? Check out our related articles: