An Insider's Guide to Preparing for Preschool
As fall approaches and back-to-school sales fill our inboxes, it’s time to start preparing for preschool. For some parents, fall brings a welcome respite from cabin fever, while for others the imminent start of the school year is wrought with nerves about dropping their little one off for the first time. As a mom and the co-founder of a preschool, here are a few tips for preparing for preschool that will help both new and veteran preschool parents conquer the back-to-school season in style.
Meet the teachers
Whether you are returning to the same school, or starting at a new school, talk to your preschool about meeting the teachers before class starts. If possible, bring your child and your spouse so that you can all get acquainted with the classroom and the teachers prior to the first day of class. This will ease any nerves that you have, which will set your little one at ease, too. By coming with another adult (your spouse, grandparent, or nanny), you will have a moment to talk with the teachers and inform them of anything that they might need to know about your little one. The first day of class will be buzzing, as parents will be waiting to talk to the teachers and the teacher will need to focus on the children. So, chatting quickly before the first day will allow the teacher to focus on the children during this time of transition.
mark your calendars
Obtain the calendar for the school year ahead of time, and make a note of all important dates, events, parent mixers, holiday performances, and parent-teacher conferences. You can also coordinate family vacations with school vacations, or sign up for camps that may be offered by the school during breaks. By having these dates in your calendar ahead of time, you’ll feel more prepared and won’t miss out on important opportunities to be involved.
plan your route
Preparing for preschool means mapping out your route and planning for how you will get to school on time. Getting to school on time is a hugely important for all involved. Parents who arrive on time are less flustered and are able to remain calmer, which trickles down to the demeanor of the child. Also, when you leave yourself enough time, you are able to give your child an opportunity to get settled before you need to say your goodbyes. Plus, when you get to class on time, you’re making sure that your child won’t miss out on any of the fun that’s been planned for the day!
make goodbyes quick
While you may be thinking that this tip applies to first timers only, that’s not necessarily the case.
Parents of little ones who are new to school should prepare their child ahead of time for what’s to come, then say goodbye and walk away. Creating a routine that allows your child to know what to expect will minimize separation anxiety. Although we advocate a quick departure, we do believe that you should avoid the urge to slip out while your child is engaged without saying goodbye.
For returning parents, we’ve found that you are now super comfortable in the classroom. Sometimes this means you have a tendency to linger in the room, chatting with other parents and catching up with the teacher. While we absolutely love to see our parents engaging with others in our community, we ask that our parents understand that our first priority is the children and our time in class is limited. Instead, plan for a walk with fellow parents or a coffee date after drop-off!
These simple tips on preparing for preschool will set you up for success and ensure a smooth transition this fall. We are excited about the new school year, and can’t wait to welcome back our preschoolers! If you’d like to find out more about preparing for preschool, Peekadoodle today at info@peekadoodle or 415-440-7335!