Settling in at CompaNanny
Building familiarity at their own pace
At CompaNanny, we think it’s important that every child feels safe, seen and at home. That’s why we take the time to settle in gradually, in a way that suits your child.
Some children head off to explore straight away, while others prefer to watch quietly and see how the other children play together. By paying close attention to your child’s needs and pace, we create a familiar and reassuring start together.
Preparing for the settling-in days together
Before your child starts, we’d like to get to know each other a little better. Around one month before the first settling-in day, we’ll meet at the kindergarten. We’ll talk about your family and how things have been going with your child so far. We’ll also agree together on which days your child will come in to settle.
After the introduction, we’ll send you our digital start form by email. This allows you to share practical information with us. For example, what kind of food your child has and which care products we may use. This helps us prepare for your child’s arrival.
Around a week before the first settling-in day, we’ll give you a call. We’ll go through the start form together and discuss whether anything has changed in the meantime. We’d also love to hear what you need to feel comfortable leaving your toddler in our care.
The settling-in sessions
Every child settles in at their own pace. That’s why we choose a gradual approach, with the first three days at kindergarten serving as settling-in days. This helps your child process all the new experiences and become familiar with us step by step. Before your child starts, we’ll discuss together how to build up the settling-in period in the way that suits them best.
The first settling-in session
On the first day, you are welcome from 9.00 am. At that time, all team members are present in the group and can welcome you properly.
A Childcare Professional will show you and your child around the group and explain everything your toddler can discover and enjoy there.
Of course, there will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions. Afterwards, it will be time to say goodbye. A familiar goodbye ritual can be especially helpful if your toddler finds this exciting.
The second and third settling-in sessions
On the second and third day, you can also bring your child to us at 9.00 am.
On these days, the goodbye moment is usually a little shorter and your child can then join the other toddlers in play and activities.
We follow your child's pace
During the first settling-in mornings, toddlers have lots of new experiences to process. That’s why we look carefully at what your child can manage and adjust their time with the group accordingly.
Sometimes this means shortening a settling-in morning slightly, so they have time to process all the new experiences. Of course, we always discuss this with you first. That’s why it’s especially important to be easy to reach during the settling-in period and, if needed, to be able to collect your child earlier. This helps your child settle into childcare in a positive and familiar way.
You are also always welcome to call us during the settling-in sessions if you would like to know how your child is getting on.
Checklist: what should you bring on the first settling-in day?
For a positive and familiar start, it’s helpful to bring the following:
- A backpack or bag
- One spare set of clothes
- A soft toy and/or dummy (if your child uses one)
Tip: Label your child's soft toy, bottle, bag, coat and shoes with their name. This makes belongings easy to recognise and helps everything find its way home with the right owner.
You do not need to bring the following, as we provide these at the branch:
- Nappies
- Care products
- Food and drinks
A tip from Hiske
Childcare Quality Specialist
“
It can be helpful to bring a favourite soft toy from home, especially if your child finds settling in exciting. Having something familiar nearby can provide comfort in a new environment. We often see children naturally put their soft toy aside once they feel at ease.
”
Looking back on the settling-in period
Six weeks after the settling-in sessions, you and your child's mentor will discuss how the settling-in period has gone. How did you and your child experience it? And is there anything else your child needs to feel fully at home with us?
Together, we make sure the start is as positive and familiar as possible.
The settling-in review can take place either by phone or at the branch. Your child's mentor will contact you to arrange this.
Is your child settling in at our daycare or after-school care?
If so, we'd be happy to tell you more about what settling in looks like there.
Do you have any questions before your settling-in days?
We're here to help. If you have any questions about settling in, please contact the team at your branch. You can find the contact details in the Parent Portal and on your branch's location page.