nursery

[eidsvold]

dd will start nursery at the end of August when I return to full time work.

We have two settling in days ( me and her) and two by herself - what should I make sure they know and what should I make sure I know??

What should I make sure I pack?!?!

Thanks for help in advance

does she have any "signs/grunts/movements/" that signify a special meaning to your dd(iykwim)that the nursery staff would have to "learn" to recognise??
ie: my dd uses the term "my wheels" for her kaye walker so the staff had to learn that phrase as well.
whilst i was settling my dd in at pre-school, the first days i was constantly there supporting her but then gradually moved away from her and let her start looking towards the staff for reassurance,although being in the same room.
although older my dd settled in without any problems..
Good Luck to you both

just reminded me of something, we made a 'passport' for our dd to take to nursery. The portage worker helped me with it. It is a photo album (small flip one) with details of our dd along with photos. Apparently its a new thing they have started up for SN children, but very personal-its so your child is looked at as an induvidual not a diagnosis/syndrome. Ours went something like this:

Page 1. My name is... & photo
2. Important things about me...(we wrote where she lived and DOB
3. Family and friends (list them & special people & pets)
4.we put a few more photos
5. Things that may upset or frighten me
6. To help me understand what you are saying please... (we put say my name 1st and make sure I amlooking at you, and include use of makaton)
7. I use and respond to these signs
8. What I can say
sub heading..say clearly -list
I call a dog a woof-woof etc
9. Playing with other children (how does she socialise)
10. If I am unhappy ways to comfort me
11. My favourite foods (likes & dislikes
12. couple more photos
13. I am learning to look after myself (list self help skills, what she needs help with etc.)
14. Things I like to do at home
15. couple more photos
16. Places I like to go
17. If I am not feeling well who to ring

Does that all make sense? Our dds nursery commented on how helpful they had found it. She keeps it in her bag and it shpould be updated when needed. I think its a really good idea dont know if you do.

I supplied a ds1/english, english/ds1 dictionary!

Like fio2 we have produced an "all about me" book, with help from portage for school. Same headings.

Hi eidsvold,
Like the others we wrote an "all about me"" book a few years ago for our ds.

What to pack.I dont know whether this will apply to your dd but I pack in ds's schoolbag.
full set of clean clothes
babywipes or tissues(for snotty moments)
nappies (I send in packs when needed)
also if your dd has a comforter ie blanket, favourite teddy etc
I used to send in nappy sacks but they said this was not needed.
Hope this helps, also check out the school prospectus, it usually gives you an idea on what to take in.

thanks for your help and ideas.. although I am going in a few times prior to her starting 'properly' as part of her settling in period that book sounds very useful.

THanks again guys

fio - just wanted to let you know your book/passport idea was brilliant - I adapted it to dd and the nursery was very impressed with it and use it to refer to almost daily. Thanks for the help.

I bought a pre-printed book that sounds like this from an organisation called Communication Matters (on the web, too lazy to get link!). I just wanted to see what it was like and it was pretty basic and would be very easy to make your own. The one they sent me cost about £3.50 but I thought it was too big (A5). I can find out more if anyone wants to get one but, as I said, I think its nothing high tech and just as easy to make one.