Having your child start school for the first time can be a very overwhelming experience for you and your child. Both parents and children have so many questions, many of which will not be answered until the first week of school. Because of the unknown, children can understandably become VERY anxious about their first day of school and if only you, as the parent had all of the answers, wouldn’t you feel a whole lot better?!
Here in Ontario, our first day of school is the day after labour day, but I am aware that many other schools will be starting up prior to that date. If you have questions that need to be answered before the first day of school, your child’s school is open the week before school starts. You can call the office and if they cannot answer your questions, ask to leave your child’s teacher a voicemail.
I host a private Kindergarten Parents Support Group on Facebook that you are more than welcome to join if you are or are going to be a Kindergarten parent. This group is meant to be a support group where parents who have children in Kindergarten come together and talk, ask questions, share ideas and support one another. Click on the image below to request to join our group!
I have also written an article that shares 5 Tips for a Successful School Year over at The Canadian Mother Resource. These tips will help you and your child be prepared for school and to continue being a supportive parent throughout the school year.
Over the past few years, I have written a few other articles about Kindergarten parents that you may wish to read as this is a topic that I am very passionate about, having spent a number of years as a Kindergarten teacher and having two children of my own complete Kindergarten.
Getting Ready for Full Day Kindergarten
Preparing for Kindergarten – Part 1
Preparing for Kindergarten – Part 2
A Kindergarten Visit – Who Needs More Preparation, Mom or Child?
For all NEW Kindergarten Moms and Dads, This is For YOU!
Back to School – Mommy, I Don’t Want to Go
Don’t forget to get organized with LABELS from Oliver’s Labels by labelling everything that you send to school!
I am an Oliver’s Labels Agent.
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I remember way back when my son went to his first day of kindergarden, the silent tears from all the parents, the apprehensive look from our children. We put on a brave face, kissed them, smiled and waved good bye. It is something you never forget
We do put on a brave face! I have always managed to save my tears for the car, thank goodness 🙂
Thanks this is a awesome post!
I hope you found it helpful, Amy! If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask them any time. I LOVE to talk Kindergarten!
I appreciate the empathy.
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I will never forget when I sent my only child, Nichole, on the bus for her first day at kindergarten. When it was time for her to come home on the bus, she did not show up. My wife and I were in a panic and called the school, and come to find out, the teacher had put the wrong bus number on our little one’s name-tag, and she was placed on the wrong bus. Apparently, the bus driver was contacted and he re-routed to bring Nickie home. He had been driving around for an hour asking our child which house looked like where she lived. She was alone on the bus with him that whole hour and she was crying. When finally I saw the bus pull up to our house, Nickie ran across the busy highway and jumped into my arms. I have tears in my eyes as I write this, despite the fact that our daughter is now forty years old with two girls of her own.
Oh my goodness, Ivan! My heart pours out to you!! Would you believe that I too have tears in my eyes?! This is a parent’s worst nightmare. It happened to one of our neighbours a few years ago AND a similar story happened my first year teaching in York Region, except it wasn’t my fault (not that it matters whose fault it was) –>one of my little peanuts was dismissed to his caregiver and she got chatting in the school ground and he took off and got himself on a bus!!! He was left on the bus, not able to speak English and very sad, scared and confused. The police were called, it breaks my heart to think of this story and yours! So glad they were all safe!
I need to add a P.S. to this comment 🙂
We are all human and teachers and schools do make mistakes. The first day of school can be very chaotic and confusing and there are A LOT of children to take care of and to dismiss. As a parent and a former Kindergarten teacher, I recommend that even if your child is bussed, if possible, to show up to school at the end of the day and be there as an extra set of eyes for your child! They are SO young and don’t know how to speak up for themselves, they fully trust their teachers and the school. After hearing your story, which now makes 3 situations that I personally have heard about and I know there are more, I think I will write a post about this! Thank you for sharing your story with us, Ivan!
I am glad you are going to write a post on it. It is serious business.
It truly is serious!
The first day at kindergarten is upsetting for child and parent,my kids are grown and on their own but i still feel panic when I hear parents say my child starts soon
What a great idea to have a Kindergarten support group for parents. Ours are in Pre-K, but it would be nice to see what’s coming next.
You are more than welcome to join our group, Theresa!
My son told me to go when I took him to class the first time. He was pretty familiar with it all as we had spent the previous 2 yrs in the school, with his friends, attending a mommy group. I will forever be thankful for that group.
Yes, Mommy groups are great, aren’t they? For kids and Mommies!
You are right it certainly can be an overwhelming experience for all involved