Your child’s first day at Enrich: What to expect
Your child’s first day in childcare is a special milestone for your whole family. At Enrich, 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.
Emotional support for children and their parents
Our educators aren’t just supervising when you’re away. They’re partners in helping your child settle in. When you arrive, the educators would love to hear about your child’s routines, such as what they enjoy doing or the songs they love. The educators will do their best to include these activities in the daily routine. All to give your child the best first day.
What your child's first day includes
- A warm welcome from the educators.
- A quick chat about how the night and morning have been.
- Time to explore their classroom and play areas.
- A gentle introduction to room routines such as:
- Morning tea.
- Group time to read a book.
- An engaging sensory activity.
- Outdoor play with new friends.
Book a stay-and-play
Visiting your chosen centre helps your child feel familiar and gives you confidence too — if you’re local, book a stay-and-play with us here.
A story from our centre
O ne of our toddlers was very shy on his first day. He clung to his dad at drop-off, and when it was time to say goodbye, he burst into tears. We reassured dad that this was normal and actually a sign of a strong bond between them.
Within minutes, the gentle guidance of the educator helped calm the little boy down. Soon after, he was sliding down the playground slide with a new friend. Later that morning, he joined storytime, sitting beside the educator for comfort and clapping along with the songs. By the end of the week, the boy had bonded with his educator and was confidently joining group activities.
Stories like this remind us that while every child adjusts at their own pace, with the right support, they quickly thrive.
Communication throughout the day
For parents, the first day at childcare can be just as emotional. That’s why we send extra updates through our secure parent-communication app, OWNA, with photos and stories of their child’s first day. Many parents tell us this helps them relax and focus on their own day.
FAQ's: Preparing your child to start childcare at Enrich Early Education on the Gold Coast
How long should I stay on the first day?
Making the morning drop-offs brief with a warm, confident goodbye helps your child start the day on a positive note. Usually, this will help your child settle in within a few minutes, and before you know it, they’ll be happily playing. And of course, our educators will give you a call if your child doesn’t settle quickly.
What should I bring for my child?
On the first day, we recommend bringing a bag with 2-3 sets of clothes, a water bottle and from the toddler room onwards sheets and a blanket. We provide all snacks and meals, wipes, sunscreen and a hat.
What if my child cries when I leave?
Crying at childcare drop-offs is normal for young children. All our educators are trained in emotion coaching and will gently validate their feelings, offer comfort and gently guide them into play. This will not only comfort their feelings but teach them valuable emotion regulation skills, which are a cornerstone of our EQM approach.
Next up: The first month in childcare: What to expect emotionally
Wondering how the first weeks unfold. That’s what we’ll cover in our next post