Set up your room in an attractive manner, with activity centers arranged as they will be when the children arrive each day. The children may use the activity centers while you share information with the parents or guardians.
Write up an easy-to-follow daily schedule with times designated for lessons, free play, snack, lunch, rest time and other activities. Include a weekly schedule if different events happen on some days, such as a visiting music teacher on Thursdays or extra playground time on Fridays.
Write up an information sheet that includes contact information for you or the school; expectations of the parents, such as supplies or snacks they will be asked to provide; and learning goals for the pupils. Place all paperwork on each pupil's desk or in his cubbyhole.
Have an agenda for the orientation and stick to it. A sample agenda includes: Welcome parents and children, and distributing your paperwork; an introduction to the year, covering what you plan to teach; a quick explanation of the daily and weekly schedule; a brief tour of the classroom and school; and a time for questions and answers.
Greet parents and children at the door, and have a sign-in sheet for parents. Happily introduce yourself and welcome families to your classroom, while also encouraging them to look around until you're ready to get started.
Start on time and follow your agenda as closely as possible. Try to save questions for the end of the orientation, but be flexible enough to make sure parents get the information they need.
Take time to listen to parents who want to share personal information about their children, even if it means staying later than planned. Parents will feel more comfortable if they believe that you understand important information about their children, and that you appear as though you'll care almost as much about the children as their parents do.