Foundation (Prep/Kinder) 2014 Chat

Our school is very informative too. I've got all his uniforms. Going to label them all, as well as his older brothers new ones, and all that jazz next week. We're going to go back to school shopping at the end of this week. :)

My boy has his little assessment ( so the teachers can see where he's at etc) on the 29th then starts properly on the 3rd. They go 9 till 2pm for the first 4weeks. Not really sure if he'll have to stay until 3 or not depending on my work situation ( it's all up in the air at the moment since I'm trying to switch from nights to days. Totally stressing me out!)

Another one here that just pays $100 for the communal supplies for the year - so no covering! However DD did see Barbie contact and I just bought 3 in case some books do come home in the year. I might sneak a cover in there.

There is a $70 Voluntary ICT levy too which we will put towards - as they have IPads in the prep classroom.

All up, this first year for uniforms, bags, lunches and levies is $500.
Considering I paid $700 A TERM for Kindy, I am happy.


Other than that, getting uniforms next week - 2 dresses and one Polo short for sports / swim days so it's easy for DD to change in and all black slip on shoes from Big W.

My Planet Box lunch box Is on it's way, and then I will nearly be done!

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We bought DSs school shoes yesterday - must have plain white sneakers and black school shoes. Went and got him properly fitted as he was a hip Dysplasia baby and had feet issues when he was younger so I am a bit of a decent shoe nazi as a result. However we got the ascent school shoes from the Athletes foot and some air flex sneakers from betts that are awesome.

Now to get DS to learn to tie laces!!

What's easier - the single or double loop??

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We've been practising this last week with a learn to tie your laces type book and DS has found the single loop (so not "bunny ears") the easiest. I thought he would find it easier the other way around!!

All set to go here, finally remembered the sports socks! We are practising with his lunch box, getting it in and out and which foods when. Plus refilling his drink bottle though I think he will be ok with that as they have bubblers anyway. Oh I do still need to label some stuff though I'm waiting on some labels to come in the mail which should have been here by now :think:

Got dj a shirt. Will try it on this week. Just need to buy two more shirts then build up to 5 shirts plus i'm thinking of getting plain black shirts for them to keep at school (incase he gets beyond messy. This friday we'll get shoes, socks and shorts. Oh and two tubes for our old pram, as we will hopefully get a propper push chair (a big pram/wheel chair for disabled older kids) found out his lunch box fits in his kinder bag which is really good. I think i'll lable 'snack'x2 and 'lunch' on the tubs and have his drink bottle labled too. Got a call about bus's so this week should get a time that we drop off/pick up at the bus. And confermed its a 9am start :redface: but we did miss the info morning due to Dj being really sick.
Only other thing is get more chewy tube and a packet of nappies and a hat (which may stay on ha) and ask about sunscreen & swimming too if we will need to supply swim nappies. In 10days my boy will be starting school....im so proud but feel so old too!

My son also just learnt. He also found bunny ears harder. Single loop seems the way to go. That's how I learned.
Oh and a weird tip, when you do the first granny knot, do it twice, or one more twist (hard to explain). Then it doesn't loosen like a normal granny knot and they don't have to put a finger on it.

I can't explain it well. But it does work and we do want to make it as easy as possible to learn. Maybe it's on the net or youtube too.

I had a bit of a cry this morning as I dropped DD2 at the CC centre for vacation care - it will be her last day there ever and also the end of our family being there after 7 years! It has been such a big part of our lives and was very sad to say goodbye to people who have had such a big impact on the girls lives.

DD2 did insist on using her new lunchbox today though which means that I have inherited the lovely fairy lunchbox from kinder to take to work with me :D

Oh Nai :(

DSs last day at CC is Wednesday, his best mate gave him a big hug today as we left as he won't be in on Wednesday :( luckily us Mums exchanged numbers. Think I might take a big tin of chocolates in for all the carers on wed

I think DD is going to miss him, she follows him everywhere, will see how she goes....

It really is such a massive change isn't it.... So much for them and us to adjust to. I am trying to think of a way to honor that. Not sure what I am wanting to do really, just a way of acknowledging for her and us, that she is stepping into a new era and stepping up into something that will have its own responsibilities. I am looking for a ritual for our family. Something special.... Any ideas? Am I being weird? Anyone else do anything special?

Well it hit me a bit tonight - in one week I will be preparing my DD's school bag for her first big day.

I am not ready. I will cry. I know it.

Where have the last five years gone?!?

(PS - Nai, I only really "like" the lunchbox bit of your post... ;) )

Edit- Bella, I think I get what your mean. When DD finished kinder (4yo preschool in Vic), I took her for a special graduation milkshake and cupcake, just her and me, and her bestie from kinder as I was picking her up too, lol. Is that the kind of thing you mean? Or something a bit more meaningful, lol?

Yeah could be something like that OP. I am not sure. I am considering fish and chips at the beach and ice cream. I wouldn't mind a little more meaning snuck in somewhere.... I don't want it to be to heavy tho. Browsing the Internet ATM to try to get ideas. Interested in what other families do as well.

Bella - I'd be interested in what you come up with :)

We were thinking of taking DS out for a milkshake, cake etc after school next week, just him and us, and then picking up DD from childcare an hour or so later - just to celebrate his first day too

DS had a trial run in is uniform and with his lunch box today, worked a treat.
Tying laces is proving difficult, we'll plug away :) The single loop seems to be easier

Another simple one is a photo taken the first day of school with a piece of paper or a board saying the year and what grade they are in on the front. Might to that as well.

Oh I like this. Not for a beginning school ritual, but just a connecting with her ritual....

"Gina Osher shares a ritual story about her sister-in-law on her blog. When the sister-in-law was first starting school, her mother helped her get over her fears by drawing a heart on her wrist each morning. Then, whenever she felt scared at school, she would look at the heart drawn on her wrist and remember that her mother loved her and was thinking of her.

As the sister-in-law grew up and became more confident, the hearts became less frequent. However, even when she was in high school and then college, her mother would draw a heart on her wrist whenever she had a tough exam, an audition, a job interview, and so on. When her mother passed away the sister-in-law had a small heart tattooed on her wrist as a tribute to her mother."

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Another simple one is a photo taken the first day of school with a piece of paper or a board saying the year and what grade they are in on the front. Might to that as well.

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Yes, I definitely plan to take a photo, I want to take it next to something that will really emphasise how much he grows each year, not sure what yet - perhaps the front door of our house!

Ohh, have been googling 'First Day of School Photo Ideas'

Lordy, am inspired now!

It hit me today that next week DS1 will start school, I got all teary!!! He has 3 days left at day care!!!! I am going to cry when he finishes cc as his teacher there has been awesome (DS2 has her this year but sad still lol)
Next thurs I will be a mess!! I will take lots of pics , I like idea of the piece of paper with grade and year on it!!!

I should try on his uniform! Still need to label them, and get 2 more tops when school gets order in.

We have lunch bag now it has 2 zips and walking with dinosaurs on front! And ninja turtle drink bottle!!!!

Now you've got me thinking I need to do a special photo lol. I will probably just take a pic in his uniform and leave it at that. It's DS's last day of kindy today. I think he's more excited about his birthday than starting school. For him, starting school is just a stepping stone to get past before his birthday lol. He keeps saying "I go to kindy, then I go to school and then it's my birfday". With the "birfday" said in a singsong voice and a little dance lol.

His uniforms have arrived at the school. DH will pick them up today and then I just need to label them.

With dd1 we took a photo on the first day and then last day. We took photos at home and also at the school gate.

I just do the standard photo for first day.

Feels odd this time around. DD2 has been going to Vacation care, so all new for her. Then we have a week off, then school starts.

Very slack with bags, shoes etc. Just wont have the time or $$ till next week. Hoping there is still some shoes around. Different bag can wait if need be, nicety rather than a must. Have to go through the uniform box and sort out what DD2 will wear, along with checking labelling.

We wNt and picked up DDs uniform needs today. A hat and some tops and a sports shirt. We got home and collected the mail, and there was a letter hand addressed to her from her teacher. Such a lovely idea! Very personal to. She was stoked to hear me read it to her. Some of the info is obviously for me, but it was all couched in a very cute message for her.

I'm starting to get a bit sooky and emotional....
Only 1 more day and DS will be a school boy!

Bittersweet, he's so excited and I just pray it lives up to his expectations

Nay does he start Tuesday?? We've got til Thursday.

We got a letter from the school in the mail on Friday. Reminding us first day of school hours, what to bring and mentioned that there will be tea and coffee for the parents after drop off in the multi-purpose room. That'll be good. DH is trying to organise the day off so he can come along, which would be lovely.

I've just been googling some photo idea too. I love editing in their favourites, as a text caption, then making a book of all their first day photos :)

Yeah Tues! We have a morning tea too!
I found a good one similar OP where you put their fav things too. I am planing to do something similar

Nail the whole "living up to expectations" bit is what dh worries about most for Mima.... She is so crazy excited. She tells me everyday, first thing in the morning, how many more sleeps till school starts. Bless her. I hope she loves it. A friend today was saying that her LO, had an adjustment phase at about 6 weeks, when the reality set in.... So we will see how it all goes.

Dh is working oncall overnight, so will come home at 7:30 from the oncall accommodation and take me and Mima to school and drop off and then he will go back to work later that morning. Bless him, he doesn't want to miss it.

We don't start until Friday but we have a meeting with the teacher on Thursday. Dd2 got a letter from her buddy and a letter from her teacher saying how excited they are to see her again. The teacher also put in some jitter glitter for her to help her sleep on Thursday night and not feel nervous on Friday. So cute!

She doesn't seem nervous, just accepts that's what is happening. I guess being #2 helps as she's seen it all before.

I can't believe its all happening this week! I'm so excited and happy but sad at the same time. My baby has grown up and is heading off to big school. Where did that time go?!

My boy does start until next Monday, the 3rd. 9 till 2 (for the first 4weeks) but he might have to stay a little longer depending on my new work hours. He has a meeting with his teacher Thursday this week. The first day photo things are a great idea. I wish I did something like that with my eldest. Oh well.

Im in the 'omg this week' boat too. Most of the school shopping will be done this week... As giving birth threw out plans. Then comes the ajustment of a 7.20am bus drop off and 3.25pm pick up friday. Its hard wrapping my head around dj being at school. I need two more shirts for him plus shorts and shoes. His bag is sorted... I think him getting the bus is what'll get me.

We have our meeting with DDs teacher on Thursday and then a play date with a friend DD made at orientation. She starts on Monday 3 Feb and is very excited and ready to go!

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Nail the whole "living up to expectations" bit is what dh worries about most for Mima.... She is so crazy excited. She tells me everyday, first thing in the morning, how many more sleeps till school starts. Bless her. I hope she loves it. A friend today was saying that her LO, had an adjustment phase at about 6 weeks, when the reality set in.... So we will see how it all goes.

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Bella - at the parent info sessions they told us that even the kids that are coping well and seem to be taking it in their stride often 'hit the wall' around the 3-4 week mark. Going 5 days a week starts to take its toll and they hit a little exhaustion period. Lots of rest, support, cuddles and positive reinforcement was recommended as they said often the little preppies start to voice that they dont want to go to school that day etc, but get through it in a week or so.
As DS tires easily anyway (still a bit of a legacy of his low tone issues) I fully expect this to impact him at some point. He really cant stay up past 7-8pm, even if we are out and all the kids are playing, he will always come and curl up on my lap and go to sleep so I think we might end up with a few nights where he comes home, we'll throw some food at him and he goes to be super early. He goes to bed at 7 usually and this last week we've been mindful to avoid later nights so he's well rested and all that. We'll just keep a close eye on how he's going physically and emotionally (as he is super emotional when over-tired). But yes, he's been so excited for so long, so I hope its as wonderful as he hopes for him

Good Luck everyone for this week (and Janie71 for next week). I'll report back tomorrow night how we all went. Bella will touch base with you on FB tomorrow xx Good Luck to J, hope she has a blast tomorrow!

Thanks for that info nai. We couldn't go to the info day cos we were away. I will keep an eye out for it, and I will see you on the flip side tomorrow

Interesting how all the schools do it differently.
We have an interview on Thursday, then start on Monday. 9.00 til 3.30. They only do 4 days a week for the first 6/7 weeks! I think this is great, it'll help with the adjustment of such long hours. The school used to do 2pm pick up but this must have been a huge hassle for parents with older children at the school. I am looking forward to having him home on Wednesdays for the first little while.

We have interviews tomorrow night, then school starts on Friday.
Think first 3 days is pick up at 1pm. First day OK as I am home, other days another mum has to pick up DD2.
Must say I am against the 4 day week for preps as standard. Much prefer the 5th day as optional (which I believe Tassie has from what my Tas friends have said).
I have had to change my work days around. My boss is only just ok about it, but Wednesdays are one of my busy days for client support. DD2 has been going 5 days to a mix of Kinder and childcare, she is also not the only child who was doing the same.

Will be running around Thursday to finalise all the school stuff.

DD starts tomorrow 9:00 - 3:30 then for feb she only goes 4 days a week (wed off) but full time hours!

She's getting a bit emotional but I know come tomorrow she will be fine!

DS was so relaxed and taking it all in. I cried like a baby behind my very glamorous sunglasses lol I can't stop thinking about him and wondering how he is going

Dd is so excited and we have two days to go. She wanted to put her uniform on today.

Its sinking dj starts thursday. 9am -3.30 friday will be hard - 7.20 bus stop pick up at 3.25. Monday&tuesday plus thursday/friday for first term.
Got Dj three school shirts and a pair of shorts and shoes.

Hope all the foundling/preppies/kinder kids that have started had good firstdays!

DS had a great first day. He seemed a bit nervous at first probably because the room was overflowing with lots of noisy parents lol. Once he spotted his kindy friends, he was off. He's been happy as Larry since we got home.

We start tomorrow 0900 - 1505. Full days, full weeks, full hours, full on! Hopefully he will adjust well. I'm excited and scared and sad and excited. I think ds is just excited now though he is being mr cool about it lol.

Lovely to hear all these kiddies doing so well :) DD was thrilled when she crossed today off her calendar and realised tomorrow it is only one more sleep!

I'm so excited for her too. I'm doing a photo like Nai above and I'm going to draw a heart on her wrist so that if she gets scared or lonely she can look down and remember that I love her. Totally stole that from Bella's post lol :lol:

Tonight I need to label her school uniform, finally bought my Brother P-touch cloth label tape. And then we are ready!!

Oh - who posted about the jitter glitter? I just wrote DD a letter from Rachel and Kirsty, from the Rainbow Magic series, and included a bag of jitter glitter. Such a great idea. Hope it helps tomorrow night.

Another edit: she loved it. We now have a problem in that she wans to invite Rachel and Kirsty to her birthday :wall: