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.
If your child with disability, autistic child or child with other additional needs is starting preschool, an individual education and care plan, a medical management plan and professional support can help your child make a smooth transition to preschool.
Arriving at preschool and going home
State and territory regulations say you must record your child’s name and arrival time when you drop off your child at preschool. You also need to sign to say that you’ve picked up your child and at what time. You’ll need to record this information in a book or on an electronic device.
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 action 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 injector (for example, EpiPen) and know how to use it.
Your preschool will ask for a copy of your child’s allergy action 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 among preschools. 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 and drink
Some preschools provide meals, and others ask you to pack lunches for your child. You’ll need to pack a drink bottle 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.
Medical conditions
It’s important to let the preschool know if your child has a medical condition – for example, diabetes or epilepsy. You need to give the preschool a medical management plan. Your child’s doctor can provide this plan.
Medicines
Preschools must keep a formal written record of any medicines your child needs while at preschool. The preschool will give you a medicines authority form to fill out and return.
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 involvement
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 get involved in the preschool program in ways that interest you. This might be taking part in preschool activities, like excursions, working bees or management tasks. Some preschools also have parent helpers on a roster.
Policies
Your preschool will have policies on things like:
- children’s health and wellbeing, including food and nutrition, rest time, sickness and medicines
- child protection and safety
- children’s interactions and relationships, including behaviour support
- service management, including complaints management.
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 on germs to other children. If your child has an infectious illness – for example, whooping cough, COVID-19, 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 the day after you’ve treated them.
Sun safety
Your child needs to take a broad-brim hat to preschool so they’re protected when they play outside in the sun. They should also wear sun-protective clothing, like tops with long sleeves.
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 on sunscreen before they go outside.
Toilets
It’s best for your child to be toilet-trained before starting preschool.
It’s helpful to dress your child in clothes that make it easy for them to use the toilet independently – 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 early childhood 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 it’s back in your child’s bag at pick up.