Starting childcare introduces new people, places and routines to family life. It can bring excitement, questions and mixed feelings for children and adults alike. Rather than looking for a perfect first day, focus on building a shared plan with the people who will care for your child.
Begin the conversation before day one
Ask your centre about orientation and opportunities to become familiar with the environment. Share what your child enjoys, how they communicate, what comforts them and any routines that are important at home. If shorter initial days would suit your family, discuss whether that is practical before confirming the plan.
A familiar toy or family photograph may be useful, but check the centre's arrangements first. Starting Blocks recommends building relationships with educators and agreeing on ways to support the transition. Read its preparation guide.
Make room for a simple goodbye
Talk with educators about how drop-off will work and who can welcome your child. Allow time for a familiar activity, then use a clear goodbye and explain who will return to collect them. If your child has questions, listen and use language that fits their age and understanding.
You can also agree on when and how to check in after leaving. The aim is not to hide your child's feelings or measure the day by whether there were tears. It is to understand how the whole day is going and what support might help. Starting Blocks offers further settling-in suggestions.
Share the small things that matter
A rushed handover can make it easy to forget something. You might jot down a few points before arrival: a changed collection plan, a new interest or a routine you want to discuss. Ask which information should be shared directly and which channel the centre uses for other updates.
At collection, a specific question can open a useful conversation. “What caught their interest today?” or “Was there a moment when they needed extra comfort?” gives you more to work with than simply asking whether the day was good.
A first-weeks check-in list
- Does the team have current contact and authorised collection information?
- Have we discussed comfort items and daily routines?
- Do we know who to approach with a question?
- Have we agreed on how updates will be shared?
- What seems familiar to my child now, and what still feels new?
- What would we like to review together next?
Keep the plan open to conversation
Revisit the settling plan with educators rather than treating enrolment as the end of the discussion. Ask what they are noticing and share what you are seeing at home. There is no promised timetable in this guide: your child's experience deserves its own conversation.
For the practical preparations, see our starting childcare guide. You can also explore a day at Expeditions and ask your local team how its routines work.
Family guide. Sources checked 27 October 2026: Starting Blocks, brought to families by ACECQA. General preparation ideas, not individual developmental or health advice.
Begin with Stay and Play.
At Expeditions, once your enrolment paperwork is complete, you can arrange unlimited Stay and Play visits before your child’s formal start date. Parents are warmly welcome to stay. Plan the timing, duration and support with your Centre Manager so the visits suit your child and family. Learn about Stay and Play.