The first month at Southport Childcare Centre can bring a range of big feelings for both children and parents. While some children settle in quickly, others need more time, and both are completely normal. At Enrich, we guide families through this adjustment with our EQM approach (Emotional Intelligence + Montessori), helping everyone feel safe and supported.

To explain the emotional side of starting childcare, we often share the “five stages of settling in,” adapted to the childcare experience. Just as adults experience stages of adjustment when starting a new job or moving to a new place, children often move through similar emotional stages when starting child care.

The five stages of settling into child care

• Honeymoon – excitement and curiosity: Many children are excited to play with new toys and friends. Yet, for some, this stage lasts until a parent leaves. When the goodbye comes, separation anxiety might hit. Every child’s pace is different, and that’s okay.
• Anxiety – the wobble after the novelty: As the novelty wears off, separation anxiety or overwhelm may appear, especially during morning goodbyes. Our educators respond with emotion coaching: validating feelings (“It’s okay to miss Mum, she always comes back”) and gently guiding children into play.
• Adjustment – comfort through routines and connection: Soon, your child bonds with an educator they trust. This “safe haven” provides them with the security to explore and participate. Consistent educators are key to building that attachment.
• Adaptation – active participation: Your child begins to join daily routines more confidently, such as clapping along to songs they sing during group time, or exploring activities with enthusiasm. These moments show they’re gaining confidence.
• Integration – feeling at home: Friendships form, confidence grows, and your child begins to thrive in their new environment. This is the stage where childcare starts to feel like a second home.

Families often ask how they can tell if their child is settling in. While every child is different, some signs include: 

• Smiles or calmness at drop-off or pick-up.
• Sharing new skills at home (e.g., songs, independence, fine motor activities).
• You might notice your child concentrating deeply during play: stacking blocks, matching objects, or practising new movements. That focus on new activities or movement is a sign they have settled in.
• Talking about new friends, what toys they’ve played with, or educators they like. 

Another sign that your child is settling in is the emergence of new skills and milestones

One mother shared that her 8-month-old found the first drop-off difficult. Like many parents, she spent the day wondering how her child was coping. At pick-up, however, she noticed something remarkable: her baby was sitting up independently. The educators explained they had spent the day gently encouraging this new skill. Mum was delighted. Within days, her baby became more comfortable in the environment, and drop-offs gradually became easier.

The excitement was impossible to miss. “Yay! The fire truck is coming!” 🚒 one child called. “I love fire trucks!” another replied. Then came an observation that made everyone smile. “My shoes are red, like a fire truck.”

Some Early Childhood memories stay with us because they are exciting. Others stay because they quietly make us change how we view ourselves and how we belong to our community.

For many of our children, meeting real firefighters from the Southport Fire and Rescue Station is about more than seeing the big red truck. It’s an opportunity to learn about fire safety, explore the fire truck up close, try something unfamiliar and connect with the people who help keep our community safe.

The firefighters shared their knowledge about fire safety. The children learnt about smoke alarms, what to do if they ever see a fire, and why firefighters wear special equipment. They asked questions, listened carefully and enjoyed reading a story about fire trucks together.

Besides meeting the firefighters near the truck, the Pre-Prep children enjoyed a visit from the firefighters in their classroom, where they learnt the ‘stop, drop and roll’ technique. They now know that if their clothes ever catch fire, they need to stop moving, drop to the ground, cover their face and eyes with their hands, and roll back and forth to help smother the flames.

Before welcoming our visitors, the educators spent time talking with the children about what to expect. Together they discussed how to stay safe around the fire truck, listen carefully to the firefighters and learn about the important role they play in keeping our community safe.

Preparing children beforehand helps unfamiliar experiences feel more predictable, allowing them to approach something new with greater confidence.

One child stood quietly beside their educator for several minutes before deciding they were ready to hold the hose. Another couldn’t wait for their turn. Both experiences mattered equally because each child responded in a way that felt right for them. Educators gently encouraged every child to have a one-on-one moment with their local heroes when they felt ready.

Our Toddler and Nursery friends had their turns first, and the older children waited patiently before it was their opportunity to join the experience. Everyone practised walking safely, listening carefully and respecting the firefighters’ instructions.

These everyday moments are where important skills develop. Children are constantly learning how to participate in a group, manage excitement, communicate their ideas and approach new situations with confidence.

Preparing children for school and life

At Enrich, we believe preparing children for the future involves more than academic readiness. It also includes helping children develop the emotional capabilities that support them throughout life: confidence, communication, adaptability and the ability to connect with others.

A fire truck visit might be remembered for the flashing lights, the siren or the chance to hold the hose.

Yet much of the learning happens more quietly. It happens when a child who felt unsure decides to have a turn, when children listen carefully to someone new, ask thoughtful questions or encourage a friend beside them. Little by little, they begin to see themselves as capable members of their community.

Later that day, when the children were being picked up by their families, we heard proud little voices share about the experiences. Some children proudly showed their bravery stickers to their families. Others recreated the visit through play or talked about becoming firefighters themselves. Experiences like these often stay with children because they become part of the stories they tell about the world and about themselves.

This visit was one of the many ways children at Enrich connect with their wider community. From meeting local firefighters to spending time with our Grand Friends, these experiences help children understand the people and places that make up the world around them.

Your child’s first day in childcare is a special milestone for your whole family. At Enrich Early Education, we go above and beyond to make this transition as smooth, supported, and memorable as possible. Here’s what you can expect when you arrive, along with how we support both you and your child throughout the day.

A warm welcome from our team

When you walk through our doors, our educators greet you with warmth and care. You’ll meet your child’s room leader and educators, who will walk you through the day’s schedule. This first connection helps build trust and eases nerves for both parent and child. We also ensure that an educator remains close, offers comfort and reassurance, and follows your child’s cues throughout the day.

Settling in: Child-led at their own pace

Every child settles in at their own pace. Some run straight to the playground while others prefer to stay close to a parent or educator for comfort. At Enrich, we acknowledge and validate their feelings, whether it’s excitement, hesitation, or sadness, so they know it’s okay to feel however they feel. 

Our Montessori-inspired environment fosters independence while offering the reassurance young children need. We prepare the classroom and playground so children can explore shelves or trays of carefully chosen, hands-on materials that spark curiosity and joy. Giving children a choice in which activity they would like to start their day with helps them feel in control and eases first-day nerves.

Our educators are partners in helping your child feel safe, settled, and supported. When you arrive, we encourage you to share details about your child’s routines, interests, and favourite songs or activities. This helps our educators create a familiar and comforting experience by include these activities into the day. Everything we do is focused on making your child’s first day as positive and reassuring as possible.

Group time is where our day gently anchors. It begins with our Acknowledgment to Country, grounding ourselves in gratitude and respect. Followed by a chat about our identity photos. This strengthens the children’s sense of self and belonging. Each group time, we sing emotion focused songs to work on their phonics. These comforting rhythms help the children feel safe and seen.

We listened to a story called “The Bear and the Picnic Lunch”. It sparked a conversation about kindness and sharing food with friends, which helps children build empathy and social skills. Today’s intentional learning focus was on grace and courtesy. During the activity, we practices serving ourselves and our friends a drink by using a tray. An activity focused on not only practical life skills but also kindness, respect and motor skills. 

Group time is not about sitting still. It’s about coming together, sharing ideas, and building a sense of ‘we’. Montessori group time adds a splash of togetherness to a child-led day.

Happy Feet Dance Class

Our day finished with laughter and movement during Happy Feet Dance Class. Through music, dance, and storytelling, the children explored ‘road safety’ concepts. Recognising pedestrian crossings, waiting for signals, and practising how to cross safely.

Every child received their on steering wheel to pretend drive a car! As the children ‘drove around’, they learned about how traffic lights work. These playful lessons are designed to help children build essential life skills in a way that truly sticks.

Happy Feet Dance Class is a much-loved part of our Activity Program and is included as a complimentary experience for all enrolled children. It offers a beautiful opportunity for children to express themselves, build confidence, and learn through the joy of dance.

Book a tour

We’d love to welcome your family for a personal tour so you can see our enriching activities for yourself. Book your tour today to secure your child’s spot.

From the moment the children arrive to the calm of the afternoon, every day in Kinder is full of exploration, learning, and connection.

Outdoor adventures
Exploring and learning in the playground

As soon as the children enter the playground, they move to their favourite areas: riding bikes along the path, digging and building together in the sandpit, soaring high on the swings and climbing with confidence on the play equipment. At the same time, some children prefer to start their day with calmer activities, such as reading a book or drawing Christmas-themed pictures.

At Enrich, we prioritise spending time outdoors as it supports big-body movement, social interaction, independence, and calm emotional regulation. These moments are as educational as they are fun.

Nurturing little bellies
Nutritious and delicious meals

Throughout the day, our chef, Sayaka, prepares delicious, nutritious home-made meals and snacks for the children.

Have a look at today’s menu:

• Morning tea: Coconut cardamom and chai custard with seasonal fruit. 
• Lunch: Butter chicken served with rice and papadams.
• Afternoon tea: Herb-and-garlic wholemeal baguette with vegetable sticks

Hands-on learning experiences
Montessori education

The educators continuously observe the children to see which activities they enjoy most. They’ll then introduce a follow-up activity to expand their learning and help them reach their milestones in an enjoyable way. For example, when educators recognise that the children enjoy scooping their own food onto their plates, they’ll introduce a learning activity: pouring coloured water into cups and serving it to their friends.

‘Wet pouring’ is a Montessori activity that not only builds coordination and focus, it also encourages sharing, cooperation, and self-confidence — all of which are core aspects of our EQM approach.

Every activity at Enrich is designed to nurture confidence, curiosity, and joy. Whether it’s outdoor play, group storytelling, or quiet moments of reflection, our Montessori-inspired approach ensures children grow every day.

Tiny pumpkins, superheroes, and witches appeared from every corner of the centre — a telltale sign that our annual Halloween party had begun. The centre buzzed with excitement as the children began getting ready for the spooky fest. We loved seeing the children work together as they helped each other put on their costumes, tie capes, and straighten their hats. These small acts of kindness and teamwork remind us how children learn empathy, connection, and confidence through shared experiences.

Trick-or-treating the Enrich way

As the afternoon began, our playground transformed into a Spooktacular Halloween playground. Parents volunteered to dress in their spookiest costumes and wait for the children to go on a round of trick-or-treating. Each child proudly shared their “trick” — a spooky dance, a cheerful “boo!”, or a friendly high-five — in exchange for a small, non-lolly treat such as a slinky, slap band, or spinning top. The joy on their faces said it all!

It wouldn’t be a party without some dancing. So, we put on some spooky tunes and soon after, the children showed us their spookiest dance moves. We loved hearing their little voices sing along to the songs and seeing the joy on their faces.

A celebration for our community

As a family-focused well-being hub, we invite our Enrich community to our events. Having our children’s (grand)parents and caregivers attending means the world to us and the little ones. Seeing their family and educators at the party helps the children make sense of where they belong in the world. 

🎃Thank you to all our wonderful families and volunteers who made this year’s Halloween celebration magical🎃

The pre-prep children enjoyed a pizza-making experience by the talented chefs of Gemelli restaurants! A wonderful way for the children to learn that there’s truly nothing better than enjoying a meal made with your own hands.

Hands-on Montessori learning

The Gemelli team brought a fragrant selection of fresh toppings; basil, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, sliced zucchini, and, of course, plenty of cheese! Our little chefs enjoyed rolling the dough, spreading the tomato base, and layering on their favourite toppings.

Making pizzas from scratch isn’t just a fun cooking activity. It teaches children essential life skills. From turn-taking and practicing patience to developing social skills while discussing which toppings to add and passing ingredients and tools to their friends.

A child-led and sensory-rich experience

Hands-on activities such as pizza-baking are child-led, sensory-rich, and structured, allowing children to make their own choices and express their creativity. It fits our Montessori-inspired approach and it helps children develop focus, responsibility, independence, confidence, and self-discipline. All of these are key skills that extend beyond the classroom.

A heartfelt thank you to the Gemilli brothers and our Pre-Prep student’s dad who organised this beautiful experience

Book a tour

Would you like to see for yourself how we make learning fun for children? Book a tour and see for yourself how we make learning a joy for all our little ones.