The process of “settling in”

Young children react in different ways when starting in kindergarten.  Some children will settle into the new environment straight away while others may take longer. This may take a few weeks before you and your child feel happy and comfortable about this.

To make the process of ‘settling in’ go smoothly:

  • Come for a visit or two to the kindergarten to help your child get familiar with the learning environment.

  • Talk to a teacher about your child’s special words and ways of communicating; favourite ways of being comforted, toilet training, interests, etc.

  • Fill in the form ‘About Me’, which is included in your child’s profile book which will help us know your child better.

  • If we are not familiar with your cultural traditions and beliefs, share with us your cultural values and views so we can appropriately support your child.

  • Inform us if your child has special education needs and is receiving early intervention services so we can make a request or recommendation for any support from the Ministry of Education.

  • Before your child starts, inform us if he/she takes regular medication as part of an individual health plan, such as asthma inhalers, along with any special instructions for giving that medication.

  • When it is your child’s first day at kindergarten, be prepared to stay and help your child settle in.  It may take several sessions before your child gets settled in, so parents are welcome to stay until he/she is comfortable. This will give us the opportunity to get to know each other and for you to get to know how things are done at our kindergarten.

Here are some ideas/suggestions to help your child settle in:

 

  • Make sure your child has eaten breakfast before coming to kindergarten.  Our morning tea time is at 10.30 am.

  • We encourage you to dress your child in comfortable, ‘easy to manage’ clothes suitable for outside play and more importantly for independent toileting.

  • Join your child in exploring the kindergarten.  A teacher will help tour and orient you around the place.

  • Encourage your child to put his/her own bag into the assigned named locker and make sure that he/she knows where it is should the bag be needed during the session e.g. to change out of wet clothes.  Make sure your child’s bag has spare clothes.

  • Help your child find the designated toilet area and  make sure he/she is comfortable using the toilet and the hand-washing facilities.

  • Engage with your child and the other children in exploring different activities.

  • Initiate in introducing your child to the other children and asking their names. Then encourage your child to do the same.

  • Join your child in following the schedule/routines, such as mat times, morning tea/lunch time, toileting, as well as tidy up time.

  • Move away from your child as he/she gains confidence to allow his/her curiosity and independence to grow.

  • Encourage your child to ask help from the teachers, so firstly, he/she should know the teachers’ names. 

  • Let your child know when you are leaving and what time you will be back.  Make sure you keep to the agreed time.  You may ring us to check how your child is settling.

  • If on the following day your child is still unsettled, gradually, extend the length of your child’s time at the kindergarten without you.  Try not to be carried away by your child’s tears and pleadings to stay.

  • Ask support from teachers if needed.  Collaborate with the teachers to foster your child’s independence and his/her sense of belonging.

  • Praise your child for his/her growing independence.