Settling in: What to expect from first day to school
Starting child care is a big milestone for children and families. The first day, the first few weeks, and the months that follow all play an important role in helping children feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.
At The Learning Sanctuary, we see settling in as a journey rather than a single moment. Our approach is thoughtful and staged, supporting children emotionally, socially, and developmentally, while working in close partnership with families from the very beginning.
This approach supports children through each stage of their early learning journey, from starting care and building routines, through to room transitions and preparing for kindergarten and school. It reflects the same care, consistency, and relationships our educators provide every day in our centres.
This parent page brings together a set of pages designed to support you at each stage of your child’s early learning journey. You can explore what to expect on your child’s first day, how settling in unfolds over time, how we support room transitions and daily routines, and how we prepare children for kindergarten and school.
You don’t need to read everything at once. Many families return to different pages at different stages, depending on where their child is in their journey.
Our settling-in program
How to prepare your child for their first day in child care
Preparing for your child’s first day is crucial to ensuring they have a smooth start in our centre. A little preparation can make the experience calm and enjoyable for your child.
The first day
What to expect in the first 6 months
Settling into child care is a journey, not a single moment. That’s why we take a thoughtful, staged approach to settling in over the first six months, while giving families clarity about what to expect along the way.
The first 6 months
What is family grouping and why it matters
Family grouping is a daily practice that supports children during arrival and departure times. It means children begin and end their day in a calm, familiar environment with educators they know well, rather than moving straight into busy room routines.
Family grouping
Room transitions: how we support your child
Moving to a new room is an important milestone in your child’s early learning journey. Room transitions mark developmental progress and growth, and they are carefully planned to ensure children feel safe, confident, and supported every step of the way.
Room transitions
Preparing children for the transition to school
Preparing children for school is not about rushing learning or focusing only on academic skills. It is about supporting the whole child and helping them feel capable, resilient, and ready for the next stage of their learning journey.
Transition to school
Partnering with families every step of the way
Every moment matters. From the first day to the transition to school, we work closely with families to ensure children feel supported, celebrated, and confident.
If you have questions at any stage, our centre teams are always here to help.