Tips for Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten and Child Care

When your child is going to start kindergarten quite often child care will be needed before and/or after school. You may choose home based care, centre care, nanny service, and sometimes a combination. Going to school for the first time is an exciting experience for a child but it may also be a little scary being away from home and not knowing what to expect. There are a few things that you can do to make this change a little easier for you and your child:

Child Care Orientation

• Visit the caregiver and /or centre more than once before starting care.
• Visit while the other children are there so that your child may meet the other children and become familiar with the caregiver and/or teachers.
• Tour the home or centre with your child and show them where they will eat, play and where the washroom is.
• Explain to your child who will be transporting them (either by car, bus or walking) to and from the school.
• Talk with your child about who will be dropping him off and picking him up and at what times this will probably occur. If there are any changes in the schedule let your child know.
• Speak with your child about the various activities that he will be doing while he is in care. Be sure to mention the teacher(s) or caregiver's name so that he may become familiar with them before starting care.

School Orientation

• Bring all the necessary papers that the school requests to register your child (ie: immunization records, Ontario Health card etc.).
• Visit the school with your child and show him around the school. Most importantly view the classroom, playground, and which washroom your child will be using.
• Meet the teacher and let your child ask the teacher questions and have a chance to get aquainted with one another.
• Walk or drive the route that you will be taking to the centre/caregiver's home and the route that your child will be going to kindergarten so that he may feel more secure with the new routine.
• Refer to the teacher's name in discussions about school so your child becomes familiar with their name before they start kindergarten.
• Label all your child's belongings as they may get lost at one of the locations.
• If your child is going to take the school bus to kindergarten, you may bring your child to a "Young Rider Orientation Day". This event is usually supported by your local Board of Education. Please check with your school for dates and times.

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