General tips:

1. Daily Routine

• Arrival and Departure Procedures: Learn the procedure for children’s drop-off and pick-up, including signing in/out, greeting parents, and ensuring safety at the entrance.
• Daily Schedule: Understand the daily structure (playtime, mealtime, nap time, etc.), including specific timings for different activities.
• Circle Time: TAS nursery has circle time and structured activities, know what is expected during these sessions.

2. Health and Safety

• Child Protection: Be familiar with child safeguarding procedures.
• Risk Assessment: Learn how to complete a risk assessment for the room, playground, or any other activity spaces.
• First Aid: Know where the first aid kit is located and the procedures for handling minor accidents or injuries.
• Emergency Procedures: Understand fire drills, emergency exits, and the procedures in case of a fire or other emergency situations.

3. Nursery Policies

• Behaviour Management: Learn the nursery's approach to handling behaviour, including positive reinforcement, discipline, and time-out policies.
• Hygiene Practices: Follow hygiene practices such as handwashing routines for both staff and children, nappy changing procedures, and sanitizing toys or surfaces.
• Illness Policy: Know the nursery's policy on illness, including when children should be sent home and when they can return after being unwell.

4. Interactions with Children

• Supervision: Be aware of the child-to-adult ratios and make sure children are supervised at all times.
• Age-Appropriate Activities: Understand the developmental needs of the age group you are working with, and engage the children in activities that promote their learning and development.
• Observation and Reporting: Learn how to observe children’s progress and behaviour and record any important observations for the child’s learning journey or reports.

5. Communication with Parents

• Daily Communication: Be clear on how to communicate with parents, such as giving feedback at the end of the day or passing on messages about the child's day.
• Confidentiality: Understand the importance of keeping sensitive information about children and their families confidential.

6. Teamwork

• Workplace Culture: Get to know your team and how responsibilities are shared. Introduce yourself to colleagues and understand who to ask for help.
• Room Leaders/Managers: Identify the room leader or nursery manager to report to or seek guidance from during your shift.

7. Mealtime and Snack Time

• Food Handling: Be familiar with food handling policies, including serving meals, managing allergies, and maintaining cleanliness during mealtime.
• Assisting with Mealtime: Help children during meals, whether it's providing encouragement, ensuring they sit at the table, or helping with utensils.

8. Nappy Changing and Toileting

• Nappy Changing Protocol: Know the correct procedures for changing nappies, including wearing gloves, sanitizing the changing area, and logging nappy changes.
• Toileting Assistance: Understand how to assist with toileting for older children, including encouraging independence and ensuring hygiene practices.

9. Play and Learning

• Structured vs. Free Play: Understand when the children are allowed free play and when there are structured learning activities.
• Indoor and Outdoor Play: Be aware of the balance between indoor and outdoor activities, and be ready to support children during both types of play.

10. Preparing for the Day

• Set Up the Environment: Arrive early enough to help set up the play area or classroom, including laying out toys, arranging furniture, and making sure the environment is ready for the children.
• Resources and Materials: Make sure that all materials for the day’s activities are ready (crafts, books, etc.) and know where to find extra supplies if needed.