ds starting pre-school any tips

[fairy15]

ds 2.4 is starting pre-school in october for one morning a week to get him used to it. we currently go to the playgroup there once a week. we have a date where i'm going to go in with him to see what they do etc.. i'm just wondering what to expect really. ds is'nt used to going with other people so thats why i really wante him to get used to it slowly. will we both end up crying?
also says about labelling his things, does this mean everything & what labels are best?
thanx in advance

[chipmunkswhereareyou]

Hmm being blunt I'm not sure about the wisdom of him only going one morning a week if you're concerned about him getting used to it.

This amount isn't enough to help him get settled in and quite a few nurseries recommend at least two, ideally three half sessions a week for this reason.

Try iron-on name tags - easier than sewing and if you buy a reasonable amount they will last you for ages and ages. Bought mine online from Cash's although there might be cheaper ones.

[fairy15]

thanx for answering. maybe i could start him on 1 day then build it up slowly to 2 then etc... as he is'nt 3 till may so won't start 5 ays till september next year i think so have a while to build it up.
did'nt want to suddenly start him on 5 days so thats why i thought it would have been better to o it gradually.
iron on tags sound great as i really can't sew!

[chipmunkswhereareyou]

I agree that five suddenly would be too many if he isn't used to it, and therefore not ideal. But I also think starting with one isn't ideal, even if you build up. I'd just start with two from the beginning personally.

[nowwearefour]

I started my dd1 on 2 mornings a week straightaway aged 2.6. this is what everyone does where we live. i just wrote in pen on her coat, wellies, snack bag, cup, snack pot and spare clothes bag. I did not name her other clothes as she doesnt take them off as a matter of routine -unless some kind of accident involving her getting wet in which case she'd be the only one so they'd know whose clothes they were iyswim. boys are more clingy than girls and ime they do tend to cry a bit when first left. which is why i think 2x per week will help- otherwise whole week rolls by befor eyou leave him again and he is just as likely to cry. my preschool is v good though they ring (or run out after you) to say they have stopped crying. my advice is they wont stop crying til you are out of sight so just go even if it is v v hard. make sure you know they will ring if distress continues for too too long so you can go and collect him.

[chocolateshoes]

I started Ds off on just 1 afternoon a week last year and he was fine with it and settled very easily. He didn't cry at all. He was always very motivated by the idea of a special treat (hot cross bun!) when I picked him up! I also found it helped for him to take a toy with him - which in fact he kept in his bag - but somehow just taking some thing from home with him helped.

[fairy15]

great thanx. he has a teddy which goes everywhere with him so he'll have something.

[norksinmywaistband]

Ds is 2.6 and started 3 mornings a week, 2 weeks ago.
He loves it and I have already noticed a difference in his speech.
BUT he does scream everytime I leave him and it does tug on your heartstrings a bit. I am very comfortable with the preschool as DD is also there.
They open a window as I leave and by the time I pass ist on the outside of the building I can often hear him laughing and playing. It is all for attention and I am sure he will get the hang of it soon.

[yummymummy1405]

ds 2.4 goes 2 mornings a week and has loved it from the start. Took him for the first morning and off he ran. I went home and wasa reck

on the otherhand at the same pre school a friends dd is slightly more auious. it totally depend on the child. When we went to visit the pre school he ran off then as well so i took my guide from him!