Day to Day
Day to Day
Starting at Whippersnappers is a big step for both children and parents. We understand that every child is different, so we work closely with you to make the settling-in process as positive and comfortable as possible. We offer four or more free settling visits before your child starts. These visits give your child the opportunity to become familiar with their new environment, teachers and daily routines while you are nearby. They also give you the chance to get to know our teachers and share important information about your child. During the first visit, a teacher will show you around and talk with you about your child’s routines, interests and needs. As your child becomes more comfortable, we can gradually introduce periods where you leave them with us. This might start with a short 10-minute visit and gradually increase as your child is ready. There is no set timeframe — we will work with you and your child and adjust the process to suit them. Our Primary Caregiving approach means your child will have a teacher who takes particular responsibility for getting to know them, building a trusting relationship and supporting their care and learning. Please share your child’s routines, interests, comforts and any important information with their primary caregiver and the wider teaching team.
When it is time to leave your child, try to be positive and confident. Let them know you are going and, importantly, that you will come back to collect them. Keep your goodbye warm but short and then allow our teachers to support your child. It can be tempting to sneak away if your child is distracted, but it is important that they know you are leaving. This helps build trust and lets them learn that you will always return. Some children settle quickly and happily, while others need more time and support. There is no right or wrong way to settle. We will work with you to understand what helps your child feel safe and secure.
Talk positively about Whippersnappers before your child attends and tell them about some of the things they will be able to do.
Give yourself plenty of time when arriving so you are not rushed.
Help your child get involved in an activity when you arrive.
Tell your child when you are leaving and when you will be back. Where possible, relate this to something familiar in their day, such as, “I’ll be back after your sleep.”
Keep your goodbye positive, calm and consistent.
Try not to return if your child becomes upset after you have said goodbye, unless a teacher asks you to. Our teachers will support and comfort them.
Let us know about anything that may help your child settle, such as a favourite activity, comfort item or particular routine.
We know that leaving your child for the first time can be difficult, so we want you to feel reassured that they are safe and cared for. During the settling period, we will keep you updated on how your child is doing. You are also welcome to contact us for an update if you are feeling worried. If your child is finding the separation particularly difficult, we will talk with you about what we are seeing and work together on a plan for their next visit. Our goal is to build your child's confidence and sense of belonging at Whippersnappers at a pace that works for them.
Please provide enough food for the duration of your child's attendance. We provide time for morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack if needed. Please also provide a drink bottle filled with water for your child to drink during the day. Please take the lunch box and drink bottle home at the end of each day.
No gladwrap please & preferably no food packaging (wrappers) of any kind. Countdown have great lunch boxes with compartments so you don’t need to wrap food.
Uneaten food will be returned to lunch boxes so parents can see what was eaten.
All food requiring refrigeration should be named and placed in the fridge in the main kitchen on arrival at the centre.
If you require staff to heat food, please have it prepared and in the correct container so it can be placed directly into a microwave for warming.
Named lunch boxes should be placed on the kitchen bench when arriving at the centre.
Named drink bottles should be placed on the water shelf each day and taken home at the end of the day please.
No chips or chocolate please (chocolate biscuits are okay).
We are nut and whole egg free. No peanut butter or nut bars. No whole eggs, omeletts, bacon and egg pies. Egg is ok in baking.
We will provide cutlery if children require utensils to eat with, eg. spoons for yoghurt etc.
Please ensure anything that needs cutting or peeling (if your child is unable to do it themselves) is done before packing it in your child’s lunch box. Bananas are fine for staff to assist with.
No two minute noodles please.
The children will sit down together for their meals.
We are happy for you to have separate containers for morning and afternoon tea if you are concerned your child may want to eat all their food in one sitting. Remember children get hungry when they are so active, so please ensure you pack plenty of food.
We love making a fuss of children at Whippersnappers on their birthday!
If you would like to bring a birthday cake or another food item to share with the children, please provide us with a list of all ingredients used. This is important so we can ensure the food is safe for all children, particularly those with allergies. Whippersnappers is a nut-free and whole-egg-free centre, so please do not bring any food containing nuts, nut products or whole egg. Birthday cakes are generally shared with the children at morning tea. You are very welcome to stay and join in the celebrations with your child. If you are unable to stay, we will make sure you receive photos of your child's special day.
We have a ‘no sun hat, no play’ policy at Whippersnappers. Please provide your child with a named sun hat each day during the warmer months (September–May). We recommend leaving the hat at the centre so it is always available and doesn’t get forgotten at home. We do have spare hats available if needed; however, for hygiene reasons, we encourage children to use their own named hat wherever possible.
Please apply sunscreen to your child before dropping them off at Whippersnappers. We will reapply sunscreen throughout the day. If you do not want us to apply sunscreen to your child, or you would prefer to provide your own sunscreen, please let us know. We will provide plenty of opportunities for children to play in shaded areas and ensure they have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day.
As part of our programme, we also teach children about being sun smart and ways they can help protect themselves from the sun.
Please ensure all items are clearly named.
Bag and wet bag
Sun hat in summer or a beanie and jacket in winter
Nappies and wet wipes, if required
A few changes of clothes
Drink bottle with water only
Lunch box with food for the day. We can store food in the fridge and reheat food if required.
Bottle and formula/breastmilk, if required
Dummy and/or sleep sack, if required
Our days are full of hands-on learning, exploring and plenty of opportunities to get messy! Please dress your child in comfortable, practical clothing that you don't mind getting paint, mud or other mess on.
Please provide at least two named changes of clothes for your child each day.
Dress your child appropriately for the weather. We enjoy being outdoors in all seasons, so please provide suitable clothing for outdoor play.
Children have access to the outdoors throughout the day. If your child is not well enough to play outside, they are not well enough to attend Whippersnappers and should remain at home until they have recovered.
We have some spare clothing available at the centre if needed. If your child comes home in centre clothing, please wash it and return it as soon as possible.
We have a lost property area located in both entrances. Please check these regularly if your child is missing any clothing or belongings. To help prevent items from being misplaced, please clearly name all clothing and shoes. At the end of each term, unclaimed lost property will be donated to charity.