Starting kindergarten or preschool? Here are six helpful tips!

Starting kindergarten or preschool is big so here are some insider tips from Goodstart Early Learning's community of families and educators to help your child transition into their new learning environment.

For some children, this could be their first time separated from parents. Their classmates already in an early learning environment must also adjust to a new room, teachers and routines.

Knowing how to prepare for that first day of kindy can make life easier for children and parents alike. By taking a few simple steps, it can ease anxiety and fears, while also, helping children get their kindergarten or preschool year off to a flying start.

Every child responds differently, however nobody knows your child better than you.

Before we get started, when discussing kindergarten and preschool at Goodstart, they refer to it being the year before primary school.

Here are the top six tips for getting children prepared and excited for this big step in their education.

Organise a play date in the new kindy or preschool room

Your child might already be at the centre and need to transition into the kindergarten or preschool room. In that case, your centre director organises days to play in the kindy or preschool room to get them used to their new space.

For children new to the centre or early learning, it's a good idea to attend a few play dates at the centre.

Centre directors often organise several times for new families and children to join and meet their new friends.

You can arrange individual play dates if this is too much. These sessions help you feel comfortable with the centre and meet other parents. Your child will be busy with activities, playing with other children, getting to know their teacher and learning their way around their new space.

Have conversations with your child about moving up to kindy

Start introducing the idea of going to kindergarten or preschool to your child. Talk to the kindergarten teacher or centre director about what to expect on the first day. In the weeks leading up to their move, use this information to ask leading questions to your child about what they expect and how they're feeling.

Get them excited about it – play-based learning is fun, after all! But try not to overdo it. Some children will still be feeling anxious about this new adventure. Talking about it too much can add to their anxiety and make it seem bigger than it is.

Get something different or new for their new room

It doesn't have to be brand new. Recycled or hand-me-down is better for the planet! Getting a new item that symbolises their progression into kindergarten or preschool helps build excitement. It gives them a feeling of ownership and a sense of achievement. It could be as simple as a new or hand-me-down bag, lunchbox, shoes or hat.