Are you preparing to start or return to childcare? Our People and Culture Manager, Jordan, is a former Early Childhood Educator and a Mum and understands the challenges and anxiety that comes with starting childcare, or returning after a holiday. Read through her top tips on preparing for childcare, whether it’s your first time, a new centre or just returning for a new year.

The right childcare centre should be an extension of your home. It's important you take the time to engage with multiple centres in your area, ask relevant questions, connect with the educators and see which centre aligns with you, your child and your family values. Trust your gut when it comes to this decision. You will know when you have connected with the 'right' centre.

Most childcare centres will offer an orientation phase prior to commencement. This looks like a few hourly visits for your child to become familiar with their new surroundings, the educators who will be caring for them and their daily routine, with you present. During these visits it's important to model positive and open communication between you and your child's educators. This will promote the feeling of trust and safety. Communicating your child's needs, wants and interests during this time will allow the educators to create a welcoming environment for your child, reflect your current at-home routine and give you the confidence to entrust them to care for your child when you are not present.

It is imperative you are mindful of the words you use to describe your child's childcare centre and educators. Our little people are always listening, so choosing positive language to reflect this will ensure your child is excited about this new venture. Highlight fun activities they offered during the orientation visit, talk about connections they made with other children and educators and create visuals of their educators so when you are talking about them, your child can become familiar with their faces and features.

Your childcare centre will provide you with guidance on what to bring to your child's first day. Some of these might include a comfort item (something that reminds them of home - a cuddle toy, a family picture or a dummy to name a few), a sun-smart hat, a backpack, with a change of clothes, a water bottle and any breast milk/formula (if required). This would be a great opportunity to involve your child in the purchasing or packing of these items. Their involvement will create excitement and prepare them for what is to come.

It is common and normal for a child to become distressed or upset when being apart from their main caregiver. In fact, this phase is part of their development as humans. During this time, it is important to offer extra comfort, support and reassurance in order for them to feel safe and develop secure attachments in their new environment. Read our 4 top tips to support this transition below: