EARLY YEARS - Preparation for the school dAY

What to pack and prepare for your child

Clothing, footwear and sun-protection

• Pack a change of clothes for all children aged 8 and below and please include a sweater during the rainy season. 

• Provide your child with a pair of indoor shoes/crocs.  

• Remember to send children with simple and practical outfits (leggings/collant with dresses for the girls are a good idea).

• School attire should be attire that allows play and exploration - do not send children with expensive clothing or jewellery or similar items. 

• All children’s items/belongings must be clearly labelled with a permanent marker. 

• If your child needs protection from the sun, please send sunscreen and a hat that are labelled with your child’s name. 

Morning Snack

Please send your child with a healthy snack and drink every day. Click here for suggested options

• Daily morning snack and drink (at least 1 fruit, healthy carbohydrates, a serving of protein and water)

• Well diluted juice and other snacks are welcome, but fruit and water are obligatory - everyday.

• Parents are not allowed to send sweets, chocolates, high sugar or salty snacks. Parents are encouraged to read food labels.

•  The morning snack can include fruits, hard-boiled eggs, yoghurt, healthy sandwiches, well diluted fresh juice or drinking water.

5. Nap requirements

Full day students aged 4 years and below bring a blanket and 1 or 2 bed sheets every Monday and take them home every Friday for washing.

6. Arrival and Departure

Here are some reminders regarding the arrival and departure procedures. We will all be working hard in collaboration, to make the processes as efficient as possible!

Firstly please keep the good-byes short and sweet for an easier transition. Remind the children to have their school equipment ready to be quickly carried from the vehicle on arrival.

Remember to pick up your child on time; having to wait for a later pick-up will be challenging for the child.

Half day students will be picked up at 12:30 pm - this option is available for only children aged 4 and below

All full day students will be picked up at 4:00pm

7. Saying good-bye to your young child (Ages 1 to 4)

Children aged between one and four years may be distressed when separating from their parents, especially when they are young or in a new environment. 

It is a normal sign of emotional development when a young child shows separation anxiety as they become more aware of themselves as separate individuals from the caring adults in their lives. 

Here are a few tips to manage this short, expected but sensitive period;

• Accept that some tears are a normal part of processing separation from loved ones when a child is in a new environment 

• Expect that after weekends, short breaks and holidays, the child may once again struggle to adjust to separating from their parents or caregivers. 

• Talk about school experiences and show interest in connecting home and school life

  • • Meet the teacher before your child starts school and bring your child to visit their new classroom and school,

    • Give your child 1 to 1 quality time every day, so that their emotional cup is full when they are at home, to minimise the need to hold on so tightly to you at drop off,

    • Keep a consistent morning and bedtime routine so that your child can know what to expect every morning and every evening

    • Show the child photos of the school and show them photos of the activities in class as soon as they are available

    • You can also walk your child to class for the first 3 days and show them activities for 10 or so minutes at most to show them that you are also at ease in their new environment

    • One parent may be easier for the child to accept a 'good-bye', this parent should be the last one to say good-bye and preferably do the school drop off

    • Continue to support your child to say goodbye at the pedestrian entrance, this will uphold COVID19 prevention protocols and also ease the traffic during the busy drop-off hour.

    • Young children should be in bed by 7 pm if they are to wake up by 6 am

    • Give your child a good breakfast, rich in protein and healthy carbohydrates, click here for more information on healthy eating for the growing brain

    • Rest assured that with the right preparation and support, your child will quickly love to come to school!