What Happens At Kindergarten Orientation: What to Expect
Kindergarten orientation is a great opportunity for your child to get acquainted with their new environment. The orientation process usually includes several sessions (typically 1hr in duration) and allows your child to meet other children and join in on activities, if they wish. These are also a great opportunity for your child to build familiarity and trust with their educators.
In this article, we’ll discuss exactly what to expect at kindergarten orientation, how you should prepare, the timings of the orientation, etc. By the end of the article, you should understand how to approach your child’s kindergarten orientation.
Why is Kindergarten Orientation important?
Let’s look at exactly why kindergarten orientation is such an important milestone in your child’s education.
- Familiarising Children with the Kinder Environment
Children will have the opportunity to explore their room where they will learn alongside their peers. They’ll meet the kindergarten teachers and learn the locations of the key parts of the centre (such as reception, classrooms, toilets, outside play spaces etc.). This allows the child to then approach their first day of Kinder with positivity, as they now know what to expect.
- Reducing Anxiety and Building Comfort
It is entirely natural for children to feel unsettled or anxious before commencing kindergarten. However, the staff at the kindergarten orientation will have dealt with hundreds of children in the same position and know how to promote confidence for the best social and learning experience.
- Introduction to Teachers, Educators and Policies
Parents will be given a dedicated introduction to the centre’s policies and curriculum and what they can expect over the coming year. It is also an opportunity to learn how families and educators can collaborate to maximise the learning outcomes for their child.
- Understand the Importance of Kindergarten Orientation for parents and children
Importantly, kindergarten will show you where to find assistance if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s kindergarten experience.
How Long Does Kindergarten Orientation Last?
The orientation sessions are typically held the week before the child commences in the kinder program.
Timing of Orientation
Each orientation session will typically last 1hr, although it will depend on the kindergarten provider. Experience has shown that 2-4 of these orientation sessions is generally sufficient before commencing in the kinder programs.
Curriculum Overview
If you’re based in Victoria, the curriculum will be guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, which sets out educational principles for early learning. Early childhood education focuses on giving children the skills and confidence to prepare them for primary school. Kindergarten programmes are designed to develop their academic, social, emotional and physical skills.
To maximise learning, parents and children will be informed of the kindergarten’s routines, which may include arrival and sign-in procedures, morning group time, scheduled learning and play sessions, meal and snack times, rest or quiet periods and end-of-day pick-up protocols.
Guidance on how parents can prepare their children for kindergarten
Here are our three top tips for kindergarten orientation for parents.
- Talk positively about kindergarten before the orientation. You could mention the fun activities they’ll participate in, the friends they’ll make, etc.
- Label everything before orientation – you never know what your child might lose in the excitement of the day.
- Pack your child’s bag the night before – this will avoid rushing in the morning. Try and arrive a few minutes early so there is plenty of time to meet the educators, place your child’s bag in their locker etc
If you have any questions about orientation, our friendly team at Little Learners Day Care Centre is here to help. Our orientations are designed to provide maximum emotional support, while immersing children in the value of kindergarten.
Click here to find out more about what makes Little Learners Day Care Centre a high-quality, good value and impactful educational experience.