What to Expect on the First day of School

Every child goes through a settling-in period when attending school, be it for the first time or attending a new school. How fast this will happen and how your child will react depends on their individual personality. To make things a little easier, about two weeks before starting school is an excellent time to start talking to your child reassuringly about going to school (this applies to all children, no matter their age). Tell them about new friends, exciting things they will learn at school, and how much fun it will be. Also, acknowledge that you will miss your child and that it is OK to miss mom and dad while at school, and remember to reassure your child that you will pick them up at the end of the school day.

It is also normal for parents to have concerns. You might feel anxious or worried about leaving your child at school. Your child will probably feel this. The calmer you are, the more confident your child will be. You will have to repeat this message several times, and the best is to make talking about going to school part of your night-time routine, which can later become the time your child can tell you all about their day at school.

Behavioural changes: It is also normal to see changes in your child’s behaviour at home. They might be more tired or grumpy than usual because of a shift in nap times, or they might come home over-excited and not want to go to sleep at their normal time. This will settle with time as the new school routine becomes a habit.

Tips that could help during the settling-in phase: Remember, you know your child best, so follow your instincts on what is suitable for you.

• Introduce the teacher(s) to your child. Allow them to form an initial trust relationship with their teacher. Clarify that you trust the teacher and are at ease with them caring for your child.
• Comfort Item. Your child can bring a stuffed animal, blanket or another item to keep in their cubby hole if they need comfort. Do not send their favourite toy; this can easily be forgotten at school.
• Never sneak out. When it’s time to go, say goodbye to your child. As tempting as it may be, leaving without saying goodbye makes things worse upon the sudden realisation that you are not there anymore.
• Once you say goodbye, leave quickly and cheerfully. A short, cheerful goodbye lets your child know that you trust their teachers and the school environment and does not create a situation where the child worries about you. A long farewell only increases anxiety.

Our teachers are there to comfort your child when needed. We will let you know if there are any problems and will try to keep you posted on your child’s progress regularly in the first couple of days. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS:

When attending school for the first time, children get into contact with other children. Although we try our best to keep things as clean and sanitary as possible, this also means that they inevitably get into contact with germs that can make them sick. That being said, to build resilient immune systems, children must be exposed to the environment and other human beings.

Although we can not prevent children from getting into contact with germs, we can help them in other ways: a healthy diet, teaching hygiene practices, getting enough sleep and exercising, pro-biotics, dietary supplements and avoiding pollutants such as cigarette smoke, for example. The subject can get quite complex, so we recommend you speak to your healthcare provider about what is suitable for your child. If you are new to the area and have not found a healthcare provider for your child, we recommend approaching Sister Doriska’s baby clinic at Milnerton Mediclinic.

WHAT TO BRING WITH/SEND TO SCHOOL:

The school provides most of what your child needs during the day. However, we request parents provide the personal items listed below because of preferences and hygiene. The following items should be sent on the first day.

• Inside footwear: Closed slippers, non-slip socks or shoes that are comfortable to wear inside the school building.
• Outside shoes: Shoes that can be worn outside. Shoes that are easy to clean, such as gumboots, sandals or crocs, are recommended.
• Sun Hat: A sun hat or cap that can be used when the children are outside. The school provides sunscreen however, if your child is sensitive to certain types sunscreen, please also pack this and let our teachers know.
• Clothing: For children under three three sets of clothes for the week that will be kept at the school. If your child is toilet training, we might need more clothing changes. Older children might require fewer clothing changes. Please also pack a warm jumper or jersey for colder and rainy days, even in summer.
• Blanket: A blanket to sleep with (light blanket for summer/warm blanket in winter). We will send blankets home at the end of each week to be washed.
• Hygiene Items: A toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Comfort items: Any comfort items your child might use to fall asleep. Please do not send their favourite toy, since it might be forgotten at school.
• Other items: Hairbands, and a hairbrush, for children with long hair. Please avoid hair clips or beads in your child’s hair since they can pose a choking hazard. 
• Bag: A Bag to contain your child’s items. We recommend using a foil-lined thermal shopping bag since it is a convenient size and it is easy and inexpensive to replace.
• Nappies: If your child is still in nappies, one pack of nappies. If we need more, we will let you know.  please also send:
  • Wet Wipes:  One pack of wet wipes. We recommend chemical-free, water-based wet wipes.
    • Cream: Nappy cream or other creams or ointments used during nappy changing. This excludes prescription creams. If your child needs prescription creams or other medication, please ask the staff for the relevant forms that need to be completed.

Daily items:

• Milk: Pre-made / Pre-prepared bottles of milk (if applicable).
• Soiled Clothes: we will send dirty clothes home daily to replace them. We’ll let you know if we run out of clothing changes during the week.

Please mark all your child’s items with their name.

Most personal items will send home for cleaning on a Friday. We will send items, such as shoes, that stay at school over a more extended period home once a month.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS AND NOTES:

Clothing and attire: Although the School does not have a specific dress code, we ask that you dress your child in comfortable clothing. Because of the daily fluctuations in temperature in Cape Town, we advise dressing in layers, starting with clothing suitable for hot conditions and adding warm layers as necessary  Since we spend time outside in the mornings, the grass is often still damp; if your child wears skirts, we recommend that you fit them with a pair of tights or pants that cover parts of the legs underneath to avoid them being uncomfortable when they are sitting on the ground.

Hair: Long hair should be tied back and away from the children’s faces to avoid impeding activities. Since hair clips and hair beads could pose a choking hazard, please only use soft material hair ties, headbands or Alice bands. Please also pack a few extra hairbands since they tend to get lost.

Jewellery: Parents are asked not to send children to school wearing any jewellery,  especially hooped or earrings with attachments, necklaces, rings, and hair beads, as these can pose hazards. Medical bracelets are acceptable and should preferably be worn on the ankle.

Birthdays: The School provides a healthy Birthday cake alternative as a snack for each birthday we celebrate. As we are a small school, we celebrate each birthday together. We sing, blow out the candles, and send you photos and videos of the little party  Party packs or snacks and gifts are not expected. However, if you would like to send anything for your child’s birthday, we will gladly add it to the party and send it home with the children.