Kinder.. how long was your orientation?

[Hedgehogbrown]

Hiya,

I'm going to an orientation for kinder next week. My child is 3.5 and never been in day care and doesn't have a grandparents etc here so hasn't really been looked after by anyone else. It's a state kinder and the orientation is day one I stay with him, then next day 4 hours on their own.

I think this is too harsh. I don't have to go to work so it is supposed to be for his benefit. I am only going to leave him for 2 to 3 hours for a couple of days, just to get him used to being left before school starts when he's 5. Have any of you told them you are staying longer before leaving? I know someone who stayed for 7 weeks before leaving her child completely. I think this is emotionally healthier. What has been your experience?

I honestly don't think it's healthy to leave a crying child, I think when they are 'ok once you leave' it is just them learning to mask their emotions.

Are you staying for the whole session on the first day?

My dd went to three year old kinder and I went once with her under the guise of looking around so we were probably there twenty minutes and then the next day she went for an hour and a half. I think it's confusing if parents are there too long.

We only did 4 y/o kinder. DS hadn't done day care or really spent time away from us other than with grandparents occasionally.

Orientation was an hour, then he went alone for a couple of hours, then on to regular sessions. It was fine. I agree with @JamesFrond that it confuses them if you hang around too long and that's what the staff stressed to us as well.

Good luck, I know it's stressful at first.