Anyone else have a DD/DS starting Kindy in a few days?

[Miss H]

DD1 is 3 yrs 7 mnths and starting Kindy on 1 Feb. I think I am more nervous than she is. I really want her to get the stimulation and mix with other kids her age but she has never been away from me and has only been to playgroups etc. where I am with. I really, really hope she makes it. She keeps on saying that she doesn't want to go because there are going to be boys there. She is a sensitive child and I have reminded her that there are boys at playgroup and they are all fine and Daddy is a boy and he is fine. 3 weeks to go and I am praying yet trying to stay so cool on the outside so she doesn't see that I am nervous. Anyone else out there in the same boat?

[Olive]

DD1 is starting 3 yr old kinder in the first week of feb!! i cant wait
im sure she'll be aok as she did toddler ghroup last year at the same centre with same teacher

[Nai]

DD1 starts 4 year old kinder at the end of Jan and she can't wait - she is already talking about going to school so she is a bit impatient! She does already go to long day care so she is comfortable being away from me for longer periods of time and already knows a lot of the kids that are going to her kinder.

Does your DD know any of the other kids at the kinder? Do they do an orientation session? Do they encourage parents to attend the kinder with kids to start with? I think if you can meet some of the other kids going and maybe do some practice runs at going to kinder with them that might help. Also if you are able to attend the classes to start with until she gets settled she might feel happier.

[Miss H]

The Kindy is at the local primary school. We had an orientation session in November for an hour and on the first day of school they expect you to drop the child off, stay for a few minutes and then go so every one can settle in together. They say they will phone if your child is not settling. I really hope I don't get that phone call. We have roll-played and driven past and even sat outside when the kids were at recess and watched them play so she could see what happens. There is one girl at the playgroup who is going to the same school but they don't get on at all and have never played together.

[*Ali*]

My DD also starts kindy on 1st Feb, she is really looking forward to it- I am excited for her, and think she will do really well. Although I know where you are coming from about worrying whether they will fit in, be happy, make friends. I think the thing that makes me sad is that I am not going to be the one to take her for her first day of school, because am also a teacher and even though I work part time Monday is a work day for me and I have not a hope of getting the first day of term off , so her dad is taking her instead.
I does feel young though doesnt it, my DD's birthday is 23rd June, so she only make the cut off here in WA by 7 days, but I think I would be tearing my hair out if she had to wait that extra year

Can I just say though (talking with my teacher hat on here) the best thing you can do for her is continue to tell her how great Kindy will be, how much fun she will have, tell her how lovely her teacher is going to be, and on the first day, be brave and confident for her, walk in with a smile on your face, get her settled and try not to hang around too long- her seeing you linger and worry is only going to rub off on her. And if you need to have a good cry (which so many mums do when their first born starts school) wait till she can't see you. Even if she is upset, try and leave it too her teachers and teachers assistants, they are really really good at what they do, and they will call you if she gets really inconsolable. Usually though, there are so many fun, exciting and intersting activities for them on the first day, after the first few moments of worry, they are so busy and distracted they dont have time to be upset.

Good luck, I will be thinking of you Feb 1 as I am introducing myself to my own class, and thinking about my DD on her first day of school.

[Miss H]

Thanks for the advise Ali. Great to hear that from someone who has experience with it.

[Rainbow_Mumma]

I dont have a kinder starter this year but a school girl i too am more nervous than she is and the schools only 2 doors down!