Orientation and gradual entry
Once you have accepted your offer of enrolment, it’s time to get ready for your child’s first day with UBC Okanagan Child Care.
Your orientation
After accepting your offer, you will receive the gradual entry schedule along with a list of what to bring for your child’s program.
During the first day of the gradual entry, the Senior Early Childhood Educator will brief you about the program, and you will get a chance to:
- visit your child’s new child care setting.
- meet your child’s educators.
- ask any additional questions.
Gradual entry
Starting child care can be a big adjustment for both children and their families. Even children who have been in child care before typically need time to get to know new people before they become comfortable in a new space.
With that in mind, and to help provide the best start for your child, gradual entry is a required element of our orientation process.
Schedule
Gradual entry lasts approximately one week, beginning with short visits and building up to a full day of care by the end of your child’s first week. The gradual entry schedule template is illustrated in our parent package.
Pick-up and drop-off
To ensure there is opportunity for daily discussion and connection between families and educators during gradual entry, we recommend that a parent or guardian drop off and pick up their child during gradual entry.
However, we understand that some families may need to have another family member or caregiver drop off and pick up their child during gradual entry. If that will be the case for your family, please let us know on your first day.
What to bring on your child’s first day
On your child’s first day, please be prepared to provide:
- Lunch—send a packed lunch for your child. Both hot and cold food is welcome, as long as it is packed safely (i.e., in a thermos to keep it hot or with an ice pack to keep it cold).
- Snacks—send two nutritious snacks for the day.
- Napping supplies—a blanket and/or cuddly toy for children of napping age.
- Extra clothing—a complete set of extra clothing. Please bring two or three sets for children who are still in toilet learning stages.
- Outside clothing—a complete set of rain gear and warm clothing for outdoor play.
A more detailed list of what to bring will be emailed to you with your gradual entry schedule.
Nutritious lunch ideas!
Check out these helpful resources for lunch ideas, snack ideas and nutritional recommendations:
Our feeding tips
HealthLinkBC