Orientation

Orientation

At Reggio Emilia Early Learning Centres, we know that the first day of any schooling is stressful, both for the child and the parent families. That’s why we have a tried and tested routine to help everyone settle in as quickly as possible.

Orientation Visit
As part of your enrolment at Reggio Emilia, we encourage families to bring their child into our centre for a single orientation visit before their first day. This allows for your child to become familiar with their new surroundings, and meet their educators and peers. It also allows the child (and you) to gain an understanding of the routine for the day.

To understand how orientation works. Families must pay the bond, complete an enrolment form and return it to the centre within 48 hours of acceptance before orientation can take place. It is recommended that a child attends the orientation session of approximately one hour in the week before 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 and should stay in the room with their child to familiarise themselves with the environment and routines and to support their child in becoming comfortable.

The Orientation child is not to be included in the ratios until the official start date of service. Parents and Families will take full responsibility for their children during the orientation. Children should bring a labelled water bottle, hat and a bag to the orientation visit to familiarise them with placing 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.’ The Pod Room Leader/Educator will discuss your child’s routines, requirements and areas of learning you want educators to focus on with you and will record additional information on the prefilled New Child in Care form for use in the room.
Please contact the centre before your child’s commencement to arrange a suitable time and day for orientation.