Child Care Orientation

Hello Lovelies!

Abbey is starting Child Care in July and I have to take her in for an Orientation a week or two before hand. Being the stress pot that I am - can someone tell me what this actually involves? What happens? Do I just leave her there and go back at the end of the day? Do I have to leave her all day (she'll be going all day when I'm at work), do I stay with her? If I stay do I care for her or sit back and watch and let the carers look after her? How soon before she is scheduled to start should I organise the orientation for? They just told me "a week or two before hand". Do I pay for the orientation session? (not being stingy - trying to budget!). ANy advice or anecdotes would be appreciated. I want this to be as smooth as possible for both of us!!!
Oh, it is an ABC centre if that helps...

TIA

MG

P.S If I leave her for the day - WHAT am I suppose to do with myself all day? I've forgotten what it is like to be baby-free already! ROFL

MG, when DD started child care (errr, 9 years ago) we went there a couple of times for about an hour so Viv could get familiar with the room, carer and other children. I stayed for these. She started at 10.5months

From memory, after that we went a couple of times for an hour or so where I left her there so she could be comfortable there by herself. I think I went for a walk at the local shops and felt entirely lost! (sorry I'm sure that doesn't help!). It was good to leave her and go back and know she had been fine. I don't think I paid for those sessions, but I probably should have because they were 'caring' for her. I imagine these day's you'd have to pay, but check with the centre. I'm sure they'll be able to give you a good run down of how they run it.

I'm sure Abbey will be fine, and so will you. It's tough leaving them initially, but once you see how well they're cared for, it's a little easier.

GL sweetie.

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.

Thanks heaps girls. I will give them a call about 2 weeks before she starts then and see how many session they want for her orientation and then work it in... I am sure she will love it and I know she will be fine - I just want it to go as smoothly as possible!

As an Early Childhood Teacher at a Child Care Centre we encourage parents to bring their children in as many times as they like before their child starts. This helps them to become familiar with the surroundings, children and staff while having mum and or dad present. Orientation day is usually a booked in time slot at our centre as the director is then free to go through paperwork, policies, procedures and for you to ask questions. You can also stay on with ur child after speaking to the director. It's good to visit at different times of the day but perhaps look at the routine of the room (or ask a staff member) as u wouldnt want to be there at sleep time and may feel a bit awkward at lunch thinking.. can my child eat here if i havent paid? If the staff offer for them to stay for lunch, by all means stay, sit back and watch them eat in their new environment :) You should always feel welcomed when you pop in for a visit, no matter how many times you come in. (We got to know a mother and her child very well before he started as they visited 3 times a week for 4 weeks prior to him starting) Whatever helps to put the family at ease. You do need to stay with them due to child:staff ratios.