Guide sample

Childcare & Preschool Readiness

Preview the opening pages on the website before buying the downloadable PDF. The full guide includes 35 pages, printable tools, references and clear professional-help pathways.

Preview pages35 page PDF$15 AUDAustralian-focused
Back to guide details
First YearsChildcare & Preschool Readinesssample

What you can preview

This sample is shown as webpage content rather than a PDF. The downloadable PDF is only available for free guides or after purchase.

firstyears.com.au

Simple support for babies, toddlers & new parents

Childcare & Preschool

A calm, practical guide to choosing care, starting gently, settling in, family partnerships, inclusion support and preschool readiness.

General information only. This guide does not replace medical, developmental, allergy, dietetic, psychological, educational, legal or safety advice. Check current government information because subsidy, immunisation and enrolment requirements can change.

First Yearsfirstyears.com.auChildcare & Preschool

Start here

Quick summary

The calm version

Readiness for childcare or preschool is not about being perfectly independent. Settling is a partnership between your child, your family and educators. Warm relationships, predictable routines and shared information matter more than perfect drop-offs.

BelongingA familiar rhythm helps children feel safe.
RelationshipsWarm educator connection matters.
InformationShare routines, comforters and health needs.
PracticeSmall self-help skills reduce daily friction.
TimeCrying at drop-off does not automatically mean care is failing.

First Years principles

  • Children do not need to be toilet trained, socially confident, fluent speakers or emotionally steady every day before starting care or preschool.
  • Use StartingBlocks to compare approved services by quality ratings, fees, vacancies and inclusions. [1]
  • The National Quality Standard has 7 quality areas covering learning, health, safety, environment, staffing, relationships, family partnerships and leadership. [2][3]
  • Children with allergies, medical needs, disability, developmental delay, neurodivergence, trauma history or anxiety may need an individual transition plan. [4]
  • You are allowed to ask questions, request meetings and raise concerns. If safety, allergy, medical or child protection concerns are urgent, escalate immediately.

General information only. This guide does not replace medical, developmental, allergy, dietetic, psychological, educational, legal or safety advice. Check current government information because subsidy, immunisation and enrolment requirements can change.

First Yearsfirstyears.com.auHow to use

Practical family companion

How this guide is organised

For choosing, starting and problem-solving

Use this guide before enrolment, in the first few weeks, and whenever settling feels stuck. It is a family companion, not a policy document.

If you needStart withPrint
Choosing a serviceCare options, quality and safetyService comparison worksheet
Preparing for first dayStarting plan, daily rhythm, food, clothing and adminFirst day packing list
A child needs extra supportInclusion and additional needsInclusion meeting preparation
Drop-off is hardSeparation and scriptsComfort and goodbye plan
Pickup is hardPickup and after-care supportAfter-care reset routine
Settling feels stuckTroubleshooting and normal/help tablesFirst-month review sheet
Preschool confidencePreschool readiness and school linkPreschool readiness checklist

Suggested page flow

  • Cover and quick summary.
  • Care options, comparison worksheet, quality and visit questions.
  • Starting plan, inclusion planning, separation and pickup support.
  • Daily rhythms, food, toileting, health/admin and educator partnership.
  • Social skills, adjustment, troubleshooting and preschool readiness.
  • Scripts, tables, FAQs, printable tools, resources and references.

Visual tools included

  • Service comparison worksheet.
  • Good visit questions.
  • Starting timeline.
  • Educator information sheet.
  • Care-day rhythm examples.
  • Settling tracker.
  • Preschool readiness checklist.
  • Concern notes sheet.

General information only. This guide does not replace medical, developmental, allergy, dietetic, psychological, educational, legal or safety advice. Check current government information because subsidy, immunisation and enrolment requirements can change.

Unlock the full PDF

The full guide includes 35 pages, printable tools including service comparison worksheet, educator information sheet, settling tracker, preschool readiness checklist, trusted resource links and safety guidance. It is part of the First Years first 2000 days library.

Also available in bundles

Bundle options keep related guides together and reduce the total price.

Bundle18 guides

Complete First Years Library

The complete First Years guide library: every premium guide plus the two free guide PDFs in one organised early-years resource set.

$99 AUD Save $141

Feeding GuideFirst Foods Starter GuideNewborn EssentialsSleep GuideParent WellbeingHealth & Safety BasicsCommon Childhood IllnessAllergies, Eczema & AsthmaDental & Oral HealthToddler GuideBig Feelings & BehaviourToilet LearningFamily Routines PackChildcare & Preschool ReadinessDevelopment GuidePlay & LearningSpeech, Language & CommunicationDevelopmental Concerns & Early Support
View bundle