At Reggio Emilia Early Learning Centres, we know that the first day of any schooling is stressful, both for the child and the parent. That's why we have a tried and tested routine to help everyone settle in as quickly as possible. Orientation Visits As part of your enrolment at Reggio Emilia, we encourage families to bring their child into our centre for a single orientation visit prior to their first day. This allows for your child to become familiar with their new surroundings, meet their educators and peers. It also allows the child (and you) to gain an understanding of routine for the day. To understand how orientation works: Families must complete an enrolment form, pay the bond and return it to the centre within 48 hours of acceptance before orientation can take place. It is recommended that a child attends the one orientation session of approximately 1.5 hours, in the week prior to commencing care. Families must book the orientation session to ensure an educator is available to spend time with them and talk about the environment and routines. Families must sign in and out on the visitor log, on arrival and departure. Families should stay in the room with their child to familiarise themselves with the environment and routinesand to support their child. Orientation children are not to be included in the ratios until official start date of service. Parents will take full responsibility of their children during the orientations. Children should bring a labelled water bottle, hat and a bag to the orientation visit to familiarise them inplacing the bag in their locker. During the visits encourage your child to join in an activity in the room and use positive and encouraging phrases, e.g. ‘Wow, it’s lots of fun here.’ During the orientation, the Room Leader/Educator will discuss your child’s routines, requirements and areas of learning you want educators to focus on with you and record these on a New Child in Care form for use in the room. One orientation session per child will be provided to ensure that all families that join the service have an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the educators and the routines and that it doesn’t affect the quality of care for the room. You will also get the chance to discuss your expectations. Please contact the centre prior to your child’s commencement to arrange a suitable time and day for orientation.