Stay & Play Before Your First Day
Starting early education and child care can be an exciting yet emotional experience for both children and families.
We recommend booking a complimentary Stay & Play session at Papilio before your child’s first day. This will help ease the transition, and allow you and your child to get acquainted with our centre, the room they will be in and the educators.
Our orientation process is flexible and customised to suit your family's needs. You may find that a brief Stay & Play the day before your first day is all you and your child needs, or perhaps a series of short visits or Stay & Play's is better. We are happy to work with you on this.
Please speak with your Centre Manager to discuss how we can best support your needs during the orientation period.
What to Bring to Child Care
Here is what will be required each day (your Centre Manager will inform you of anything else you should bring).
All children:
- Water bottle
- Wide brimmed hat
- A complete change of seasonal appropriate clothes (a few sets if learning to use the toilet)
- A sheet
- A photo of the family
- A special comforter (blanket or teddy for example, that the child may be attached to)
Nursery and toddlers:
- Formula or breast milk sufficient for your baby’s needs
- A dummy, if necessary, with a cap or container for storage
What to Wear to Child Care
Your child's day may involve physical activity, exploration, a little mess at times and lots of serious fun! Please dress your child in unrestrictive clothing, which is easily removed for toileting and is appropriate for the climate.
If your child insists on wearing a special outfit, please be prepared for the fact it may get messy during the day. A spare change of clothes should always be packed.
We recommend children wear comfortable, closed-in, non-slip shoes that can be easily removed to assist in physical activity and also independence.
Please ensure all items are clearly labelled to minimise the risk of misplacement.
What Not to Bring to Child Care
Except for a special comforter teddy or blanket, or similar, we recommend keeping other toys at home. There will be opportunities in the program, such as ‘show and share’, to bring in and share other special things.
For the safety and wellbeing of all children, other items that must not be left in children’s bags include medications, sharp objects, plastic bags, mobile phones or valuable or breakable items. We will not be held liable for loss or damage of items brought into the centre.
Lost Property
We ask that you please ensure all items are clearly labelled with your child's name.
Our educators will do their best to keep track of all children’s belongings, but it is inevitable that sometimes things will go missing. Where items become misplaced, please check with the educators or updates on the Storypark app.
Tips to Help your Child Settle In to Child Care
Separation can be difficult for some children and families. Speak with your Centre Manager or child’s educator if you, or your child, experience anxiety or distress, and our educators can support you.
Tips to help your child settle include:
- Take advantage of our free Stay & Play sessions at our centre prior to your child’s first day. Meet our educators and get a feel for the room.
- Stay with your child and play for a little while on their first day, or first few days, to help engage them in play.
- Bring a comforter or favourite cuddle toy, or a family photo to help your child feel safe.
- Always say goodbye, rather than sneaking away. This helps to develop trust.
- Follow a regular routine each time you arrive at our centre. Your child will become familiar with the routine.
- Maintain relationships with our educators. If your child sees you connecting with their educator, they will also feel more connected.
- Feel free to call our centre at any time to find out how your child is settling.
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