Settling In
Kaitiaki (Guardian)-Primarycare
Before your child’s settling process they will be assigned a Kaitiaki (Guardian). This Kaitiaki is the person responsible for getting to know your family and your child. We hope that you and your Kaitiaki can build up a trusting relationship together to work in partnership for your child. It is really helpful to us that you share all of the little things that you know about your child during the settling visits, this will make it easier when it comes time for you to leave. If your Kaitiaki knows what your child is used to and what helps them to feel safe and secure then they can provide this for your child when you are not there.
Whanaungatanga - Building relationships & secure attachments
You are your child’s secure base - the most familiar person that they know and love. You may notice that when you are visiting, they will stay close to you, maybe travel a small distance to explore, often turning to check you are still there. This is entirely normal and reflects the trust and secure attachment they have with you. Gradually they will build the confidence and trust in their Kaitiaki and their new place to explore freely. The Kaitiaki’s role is to be available to your child as their secure base, so they know and trust there is someone familiar here for them.
No relationship should be exclusive, this means that there should always be another person within the environment that the child knows and trusts as well. We work closely within our team to ensure these secondary relationships are formed, that way when we are needed by another child someone is always there.
What to bring
- Dress for success! To support free movement, go for non-restrictive clothing.
- at least two changes of clothes,
- enough food and then some more just in case in named containers,
- milk/formula if required,
- nappies/wipes can be stored in your child’s basket.
- In summer remember to pack sunblock and hats and for the colder months wet weather gear- no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing!
