MG,

When OIivia started at our childcare, at 14 months: same deal.........it is also an ABC. I was a bit confused about what "orientation" was all about.

Anyway, here is what I did:

Phoned ahead and said "Right, is it OK if we come along tomorrow morning for a few hours?" just so they were expecting us.

We went along and one of the carers enticed Olivia for a cuddle pretty much straight away, and so the 3 of us had a long look around together. We were shown all the different rooms/classes, the kitchen, the outside play areas etc etc.

All the while we were being introduced to the other carers and a few other parents.

It was great.

It was actually fruit time when we were there, so Olivia sat sown and had fruit with them all, whilst I stood back and chatted to the carer. They then suggested I pop out for 40 mins or so, to see how she went. I was a bit nervous about doing this, but agreed on the proviso that they rang me the MINUTE she wanted me.

From memory I went to K-Mart for a look around as it is the closest shop! I don't think I paid for that "session" at all.

When I got back, she hadn't even noticed I had gone!

She then started the following week, doing 2 days. She loves it.

Charlie and Lexie now go to the same centre, & they love it too.