Sunflower Preschool and Childcare : 503-591-0430 : www.BrightStartCare.com : Tigard, Beaverton, Portland

What to Bring For the First Day

What Should You Bring?

Your child's first day will be emotional and exciting for them and for you.

Make the day a great experience!

1 Have your child go to bed on time or earlier than normal.

1 Be sure they eat a good, high protein breakfast.

1 Dress them in weather appropriate layers - we do go outside even in wet weather so hoods, gloves, boots, etc. are important.

1 Kids should play like kids. Please send them in play clothes that they can get dirty in. Paint smocks cover most of their clothes, but accidents happen.

1 Make the goodbye loving, but short. Long goodbyes teach the child they can act out and get you to stay longer - hence longer and more severe tantrums down the road.

1 Feel free to call during the day to check in on them. The goodbye is always harder on the parent.

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Early Preschool Students should bring a backpack with:

1 A lunch with an ice pack (microwave items okay in under 3 minute prep time) - water and milk are available at school. AM (9:30a) and PM (3:30p) snack are provided by the school.

1 A full set of clothes (including socks)

1 3-4 diapers, wipes, etc for diaper changes

1 If napping, bring a blanket, a small pillow and a crib sheet that will stay all week and then be sent home to be washed on the weekend

Preschool Students should bring a backpack with:

1 A lunch with an ice pack (microwave items okay in under 3 minute prep time) - water and milk are available at school. AM (9:30a) and PM (3:30p) snack are provided by the school.

1 A full set of clothes (including socks)

3 Steps to a Great First Day

1. Prep your child

Children like to understand what is going to happen the first day. Check out your class routines, know the teacher's name, and be sure that the child has visited more than once, even if it is to just say hi to the class and teacher.

2. Be ready the night before.

Start a good routine a couple days before. Wake them up when they will have to get up for school, talk about how at school they might be doing this or that right now, show them what they will do to get ready, and even get in the car and drive past the school and wave to their new teacher to practice. Pick out their clothes, make their lunch (if required), and set out their coat and shoes the night before to ease morning stress.

3. Good Rest, Good Food, and Goodbyes

Good Rest - Make sure they go to bed early enough to ensure good rest. If you child tends to have anxiety before a change, run them hard the day before they start school to ensure they will sleep long and hard.

Good Food - This is also a very important key. Kids get cranky if they don't eat well - so a good, hardy breakfast will ensure a good feeling about the day in general.

Goodbyes - Goodbyes are always tough. Remember this - the longer you draw it out, the harder it is on your child. Allow your child some time to adjust. 15 minutes is usually enough. Let them play with you and maybe with other friend too. Transition the child into playing with the teacher if you expect some resistance to you leaving. When you see the child is ready, say "I love you. I will be back soon." Try not to hug or to say bye while saying this statement. Give kids a hug when they first get there or when they are playing. The same with the "bye" statement. It is such a final statement. "I will be back soon" tells them what they need to know - YOU ARE COMING BACK. The teacher will help distract the child and you leave. If you child is fussing, don't worry. Tantrums always end quickly when the get into an activity or play with the teacher. Feel free to call later in the day if you are worried. The teachers are here for you.