For Families
Starting childcare should feel clear, supported and personal.
Beginning childcare is a meaningful transition for children and their families. At Golden Hearts, we want families to feel informed, welcomed and comfortable asking questions. By sharing what matters about your child — their routines, interests, comfort needs and ways of communicating — we can work together to support a positive beginning.
Partnership with families
You know your child best.
We encourage families to share what they know — because it helps us understand and support your child from day one, not slowly work it out over weeks.
- Routines and daily rhythms
- Interests and personality
- Comfort needs and preferences
- Communication styles
- Family culture and languages
- Dietary and health information
- Changes at home that may affect your child
- Important people and relationships
Getting ready
Before your child's first day.
Book a free tour
Enrolment documents are returned in advance, and a parent or guardian stays on the premises throughout.
Confirm enrolment information
Make sure your details, contacts and documentation are up to date.
Share your child's routines
Sleep, food, comfort habits — the details that help us understand your child from the start.
Discuss health or dietary needs
Let the centre know about anything relevant before your child begins.
Label belongings clearly
Helps everything find its way back to the right place.
Talk positively about the centre
Children often pick up on how the people around them feel about a new place.
Confirm collection arrangements
Make sure authorised collection details are current and clear.
Settling in
Every child settles in differently.
There is no single correct way to begin childcare. A consistent, respectful approach between families and educators can help children gradually become familiar with the people, routines and spaces around them. Attending at least two days a week generally helps children settle in more quickly and build stronger relationships with their educators and peers.
- Some children begin exploring quickly
- Some prefer to observe before joining in
- Some seek extra reassurance in the first weeks
- Feelings can genuinely change from one day to the next, and that's expected
Staying in touch with your centre during this period — sharing what you're noticing at home, and hearing what we're noticing during the day — helps everyone support your child consistently.
Preparing belongings
Preparing your child's belongings.
We keep this simple — most of what your child needs day-to-day is already provided.
- Spare change of clothes
Please bring one, in case of spills or accidents during the day.
- Water bottle
A labelled water bottle each day.
- Meals, snacks & sunhat
Provided by the centre.
- Nappies & bedding
Please bring these from home, clearly labelled with your child's name.
- Bottles / formula / breastmilk
For children in the Nursery and Tiny Tot rooms, please bring these each day.
- Comfort item
A pacifier, blanket or soft toy is always welcome if it helps your child feel settled.
Communication
Clear communication builds trust.
You should always know what's relevant about your child's day and wellbeing — arrival and collection conversations, changes in routine, learning observations, rest, meals, and anything else worth mentioning. Alongside everyday conversations at drop-off and pick-up, families can also stay connected through a parent communication app that shares updates, photos and daily notes.
Routines, rest & comfort
Care shaped around individual needs.
Speak with the centre about how rest and quiet periods are approached for your child's room.
Rest & sleep
Individual rest routines are discussed directly with families and followed closely, respecting each child's own pace and comfort needs.
Toileting support
Approached individually and respectfully, in partnership with families, as each child is ready.
Meals & dietary information
Sharing what we need to know about food.
Meals and snacks are provided daily. Please let us know about allergies, intolerances, medical requirements, cultural or religious food practices, feeding routines and any changes to dietary information as they happen.
For children in the Nursery and Tiny Tot rooms, please bring bottles and formula or breastmilk each day.
Health & medication
Keeping important information current.
Please keep us informed about medical conditions, allergies, medication, emergency contacts, illness, absences and any change to authorised collection contacts. Medication is administered in line with your written authorisation and current health information on file — please speak with your centre directly to arrange this.
Read our approach to child safetyYour family's story
Your family's story matters.
We value information about your family's culture, languages, traditions, celebrations, important people and community connections — the things that support your child's sense of identity here.
Staying involved
Families remain part of the learning journey.
Families are welcome to stay involved in these ways:
- Sharing information about your child
- Contributing ideas and feedback
- Sharing cultural knowledge and celebrations
- Discussing learning goals with educators
- Supporting transitions and settling-in
For each centre
Family information for our Crestmead centres.
Golden Hearts Crestmead Centre 1
Nursery, Tiny Tot, Toddlers, Junior Kindy and Kindergarten, plus OSHC (Outside School Hours Care) for school-age children. OSHC mornings run 6:30am–8:30am and afternoons 3:00pm–6:30pm.
View Centre 1Golden Hearts Crestmead Centre 2
Nursery, Tiny Tot, Toddlers, Junior Kindy and a Queensland Approved Kindergarten Program. OSHC is not offered at this centre.
View Centre 2Questions families often ask
Common family questions
Can we visit before starting?
Yes — tours are free of charge. Enrolment documents are returned in advance and a parent or guardian stays on the premises throughout.
What should my child bring?
A spare change of clothes, a water bottle, nappies and suitable bedding. Meals, snacks and a sunhat are provided. Nursery and Tiny Tot families should also bring bottles and formula or breastmilk.
How will I hear about my child's day?
Through everyday conversation at drop-off and pick-up, and a parent communication app for daily updates and photos.
What happens if my child finds separation difficult?
Every child settles in differently — see our settling-in guidance above, and speak with your centre about supporting your child through this period.
How do I report an allergy?
Share allergy and dietary information directly with your centre before your child begins, and update us whenever anything changes.
Are meals provided?
Yes — meals and snacks are provided daily at both centres.
Which centre offers OSHC?
Golden Hearts Crestmead Centre 1 only — OSHC isn't offered at Centre 2.
What should I do if my child is absent?
Please let your centre know directly as early as possible.
How do I update collection permissions?
Speak with your centre directly to update authorised collection contacts at any time.
Where can I find enrolment and fee information?
Visit our Enrolment & Fees page.
Ready to take the next step?
Explore the enrolment process, arrange a centre tour or speak with your preferred Golden Hearts location about your child's routines, needs and interests.