Your child is probably feeling excited as well as a bit nervous about starting Pre-K. If you start getting your child ready in the weeks before the first day, it can help with any mixed feelings. Here are some tips.
Visit our school campus and Pre-K Classroom
Plan on attending the the New Family Orientation (Parents only). Held in Monsignor Marley Hall (gym) at 6:30pm.
Plan on attending the Pre-K visitation for parents and students. Tuesday September 3 OR September 4, 9:00-10:00 OR 1:15-2:15. A sign up form will be sent in a welcome letter soon.
Talk about Pre-K
You can talk about the things your child will do at preschool. For example, ‘Stella, do you remember we saw blocks at preschool? You can build with them like you do at home’. You could look at photos of the preschool together and talk about some of the things that are different from home, like the toilets and playground.
Visit the local library
Visiting the local library for story times can help your child get used to listening to books as part of a group.
Have a routine for Pre-K mornings
Routines can help your child feel safe and secure, particularly when new things are happening. You could set up a routine for preschool mornings – for example, get up, have breakfast, clean teeth, get dressed, put on sunscreen, pack lunchbox and go. You could even make a chart with pictures showing the different steps in your routine.
Have a goodbye routine
Say goodbye to your child so that they know you’re going, and tell them that you’ll pick them up at the end of the day. You could choose a special place to say goodbye, or an activity to do before you go. For example, ‘If you wave to me from that window, I’ll be able to see you’, or ‘Which book will we read before I go?’
Make sure your child is paying attention when you say goodbye, then say goodbye once and leave. A lot of goodbyes can be stressful for both you and your child.
When your child is worried about Pre-K
Starting preschool can be exciting for your child. But anxiety and tiredness are common too – there’s so much for your child to get used to. You might notice that your child isn’t eating as much, or wants to sleep more. Your child might even seem less happy than usual.
Your child might be worried about finding friends, knowing what to do or being separated from family. Your child might get upset when you leave.
Your child might also worry about what you’ll be doing while they’re at preschool. Will you be doing something special, and will your child be missing out?
Tips to handle worries about starting Pre-K
Let your child know what you’ll be doing while they’re at preschool. This can help reassure your child that they’re not missing out, especially if you can save their favorite activities for when they’re with you.
Talk with your child about preschool routines. Toby Forward’s book The first day of school is a good discussion starter.
Ask the preschool teacher whether your child can bring something they love from home, like a teddy bear, pillow or blanket. If the preschool allows this, these objects can help your child feel safer. You can gradually phase them out as your child feels more settled.
Talk to the teacher if your child gets upset when you leave. Preschool teachers are experienced at helping children through separation and will have ideas to help you and your child.
Ask the teacher about what might be worrying your child. The teacher can tell you what happens during the preschool day. For example, your child might be worried about using the toilets, eating the food the preschool provides, or finding their things. Talk with the teacher about strategies to handle specific worries. For example, if your child is worried about food, you might be able to pack some familiar food. Labelling your child’s things can help your child keep track of them.
Things to Get Started!
Backpack
Your child will need a backpack to transport items to and from school this year. You and your child can choose one over the summer at the store. Please be sure that whatever backpack you choose is large enough to hold a standard sized folder. (I will provide a folder that will be sent home each day.) Please write your child’s name on the outside of the backpack.
Lunchbox
A lunchbox is required for bringing a snack, and for the full-day students, lunch. Please be sure your child’s name is written on the outside. When you pack snacks, be sure to include a napkin and small drink or water (in a spill-proof container) for snack. Please include whatever utensils (fork/spoon) your child will need to eat his/her snack and lunch.
Classroom Supplies
There is a supply fee that will cover most of the materials that your child will need this year. This fee will be billed through your FACTS account. I will be able to share this information with you soon.
If possible, please consider donating the following:
Tissues
Baby wipes (we use to clean up our hands during projects)
Paper towels
Swiffer Wet wipes.
Clorox wipes
Rest Time (Full Day Students Only)
Your child will need a rest mat for our daily rest time. This can be purchased at school for $30. Please write your child’s name on the tag. As you choose a mat, please be mindful that in Pre-K we work on fostering independence. We encourage each child to roll up and manage their own mat each day. For this reason, please consider selecting a mat that is simple for your child to handle on their own.
Also, if you could please send a small stuffed animal or doll to school for your child to keep with his/her rest mat (this needs to be small enough to fit in a quart size Ziploc bag). This will be a cozy rest time friend. Please note that this should not be your child’s favorite “lovey” as it will stay at school. Many children like to have a small blanket (think baby blanket size...we can’t store full sized blankets) for this time. We will send these items home on Fridays to be washed and returned to school.
Uniform
Pre-K uniforms can be purchased at Flynn & O'Hara. Pre-K students wear the "gym" uniform daily. The summer uniform is a gray t-shirt and maroon shorts with school logo. The winter uniform is a gray t-shirt, maroon sweatshirt and maroon sweatpants. Pre-K students should wear sneakers and white socks. Please, no light up sneakers. Velcro or slip on sneakers are preferred. Nail Polish is not permitted. Boys' hair should be neatly trimmed and off the collar and out of the eyes. For more information on our school dress code please see our Family Handbook.