Helpful Tips & FAQs

What can I be doing before my child starts care to make the transition easier?

Mealtimes are a great place to start. Letting others help with feeding can make a big difference. It helps your baby learn that it’s safe and comforting to be cared for by more than one person. This also builds their confidence and trust in others during routines like meals.

Even though they’re still little, talking to them about kindy helps. Your voice is their favourite sound, and hearing you speak about kindy in a warm, positive way helps them feel safe and secure about what’s coming.

And don’t worry about keeping the house silent during nap time. Gentle background noise while they sleep like the sounds of everyday life can actually help them adjust to the new and sometimes noisy sleep environment at kindy.

These small things, done with love, can really help your baby feel more comfortable and ready for the transition ahead.

Starting kindy is a big and exciting step not just for children, but for families too. Every child is different, and there’s no "perfect" way to prepare but small, thoughtful actions at home can make a big difference.

Talk about kindy often and positively. Let your child know what to expect using simple, reassuring language. Talk about the fun things they might do like playing outside, painting, making friends, and story time. Even a short conversation each day can help kindy start to feel familiar and safe.

Play “kindy” at home. Pretend play is a great way to help your child explore the kindy routine. You might set up a pretend bag, say goodbye and hello, or play with toys in a “group” setting. This kind of play helps build confidence and understanding.

Encourage independence with small tasks. Give your child opportunities to practise doing things like putting on their shoes, washing their hands, or packing a bag. It’s not about perfection it’s about building confidence and a sense of “I can do it!”

Saying goodbye can be hard—and that’s ok. If your child finds drop-off tricky, it’s perfectly normal. Try to keep goodbyes short, warm, and consistent. Let them know when you’ll be back, and reassure them they are safe and cared for. Educators are there to help with those big feelings.

What if my child is going through a phase where they are crying at drop off?

The educators quickly get to know your child and what they like and dislike. Educators will often take them to a toy or activity they know they enjoy to distract them from the sad goodbyes. We have lots of animals around the centre so often educators will take the children for a walk to go and see the animals a big favourite is going to see ‘Squirt’ the turtle. This often helps children settle and become engaged in their environment.

How will I know if my child is ready to start school?

Throughout the year, we observe and check in on each child’s development as part of our everyday practice. If we ever notice something that we think needs a closer look, we’ll always have a respectful and open conversation with you.

It’s also important to remember that children at this age often grow and learn in bursts sometimes making big leaps all at once, especially as they settle into kindy life. Every child develops at their own pace, and we’re here to support them (and you) every step of the way.