I really can’t believe that this time has come around… Byron started pre-school last week amid much excitement. He really settled in extremely well. In fact when I arrived at preschool with him on his second day, he ran straight to his key worker and gave her a big hug.

Why is it that some children settle in better than others? Here are a few things that I personally think help with this big step:

1. Drive or walk past the school several times before the first day. Point it out as their school- be enthusiastic and positive.

2. Talk about the teachers by name prior to the big day to instil familiarity. At my sons pre-school they call them Aunties. So, for example you can say “We are going to visit Aunty xxx at your brand new school tomorrow. She is a lot of fun.”

3. When you arrive at the school and go in say “Look! There is Aunty xxx. Say hello Aunty xxx.”

4. At home talk about the mornings routine so that they know what to expect.

5. Do a visual timetable of what happens at preschool. Draw or cut out pictures of the activites that will take place.

6. Very importantly include a picture of you (or whoever does the collecting) arriving to collect your child at the end of the day.

7. Most pre-schools will allow you a settling in period i.e they allow you to stay with your child. If you do this, make sure that you try not to engage constantly with your child. Try and allow them to get on with things without you.

8. If your child cries hysterically when you leave the first time, try and be strong and GO! If you keep going back each time they cry, you set a president and it is very difficult to break the habit! Most of the time the staff will be able to console the child as soon as you are out of earshot. Get the school to call you if they really don’t manage to calm your child or you can give them a call to reassure yourself.

9. Make sure you arrive on time to collect your child. This will give them confidence and reassurance that you will be back to collect them. If your child is the last one to be collected they can feel very vulnerable.

10. Talk to them about what they did at school- show interest and enthusiasm. It is a very exciting time for them but can also be quite scary so lots of positive encouragement goes a long way to boost their confidence.