Preschool checklist
Preschools have policies and routines to help things run smoothly, keep children safe and make sure children have enjoyable, stimulating experiences that support their early development.
Here’s a checklist of what you can expect at preschool, which can help you and your child settle in.
Arriving at preschool and going home
State and territory regulations say you must write your child’s name and arrival time in a record book when you drop your child off at preschool. You also need to sign to say that you’ve picked up your child and at what time.
If someone else is picking up your child from preschool, you need to let the preschool know, usually in writing. Some preschools need you to give them a list of approved adults who can pick up your child.
Asthma and allergies
If your child has asthma, it’s important to let the preschool know and give staff a copy of your child’s asthma plan.
If your child has allergies to food or other substances, the preschool needs to know this too. If your child is at risk of anaphylaxis, make sure staff have access to your child’s adrenaline auto-injector and know how to use it.
Your preschool will ask for a copy of your child’s allergy plan for display. It’s a good idea to include a photo of your child on the plan so that staff can recognise your child easily.
Clothes for preschool
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that let your child move freely are best for preschool. It’s also a good idea to send your child to preschool in clothes that are OK to get dirty and to pack some spare clothes in your child’s bag.
Closed-toe shoes make it easier and safer for your child to run and climb. And it helps if your child wears shoes they can do up themselves.
Educational programs
Your preschool’s educational philosophy will be outlined in its information booklet or website. Details of the educational program might be displayed in the building, and you can talk about it more with staff. You might also get a regular newsletter keeping you up to date with what the children are learning.
Fees
Fees and the way they’re collected will vary from preschool to preschool. It’s a good idea to ask about your preschool’s policy ahead of time. If paying fees is a problem for you, let the preschool know so it can link you with financial support or arrange payment options.
Food
Some preschools provide meals, whereas others ask you to pack lunches for your child.
Many preschools have policies to reduce the risk of children having allergic reactions to food – for example, ‘no food sharing’ policies. Or you might be asked not to send foods that contain the most common allergens. This information is usually in the preschool’s information booklet or on its website.
Medicines
Preschools must keep a formal written record of any medicines your child needs while at preschool. You’ll need to provide a medicines authority form for this.
You’ll need to provide evidence of your child’s immunisation status for preschool enrolment. You can read more about this in our article on immunisation in childhood.
Parent participation
Being involved in your child’s preschool helps you to understand more about what happens there. It also gives you a chance to get to know other children and parents.
You can take part in preschool activities in many ways – for example, joining excursions or getting involved with preschool management. Some preschools also have parent helpers on a roster.
Policies
Your preschool will have policies on things like behaviour management, bullying, asthma, allergies and dispute resolution. All policies should be in the preschool’s information booklet, on its website and/or on display in the preschool.
Problems
Most of the time things go smoothly at preschool, but sometimes you might have concerns or issues. It’s a good idea to speak with preschool staff if any problems come up. Working things out early can prevent a small problem turning into a bigger issue.
Safety rules
All preschools have safety rules. To keep your child safe, it’s important for you to get to know these rules and follow them. The rules will include:
- people with permission to collect your child
- out-of-bounds areas for children
- traffic issues like parking
- emergency response drills.
Sickness
If your child is sick, it’s best to keep them at home where they’ll be more comfortable and won’t pass germs on to other children. If your child has an infectious illness – for example, whooping cough, school sores or chickenpox – let your preschool know so the staff can tell other parents.
Head lice are a common issue for children at this age. If your child has head lice, it’s best to tell the preschool and keep your child at home until you’ve got rid of the lice.
Sun safety
Your child needs to take a broad-brim hat to preschool so they’re protected when they play outside in the sun.
It’s a good idea to find out about your preschool’s sun protection policy. It’s also good to put a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen on your child at home before preschool, and remind them to put sunscreen on before they go outside.
Toilets
If your child is toilet-trained before starting preschool, it’s helpful to dress them in clothes that make it easy to use the toilet – for example, pants with elastic waists. If your child has clothing with zips, buckles or buttons, help your child practise opening and closing these at home. And you can also pack a spare pair of underpants in case of accidents.
If your child isn’t using the toilet independently by the time preschool starts, speak with the preschool teacher.
Toys from home
Each preschool has its own policy on whether children can bring toys from home. It’s best to check before your child packs their favourite teddy in their bag. If your child does take a special toy to preschool, check that they’re back in your child’s bag at pick up.