The new backpack is waiting in the entryway, and your child refuses to take off their shoes on the living room rug—just seven days before the big day. You’re wondering if they’ll be able to communicate their needs to the teacher or if they’ll be willing to take a nap away from their bedroom. This article is designed to help you prepare for your child’s first day of school with peace of mind.
To prepare for the start of kindergarten, the final week calls for five specific steps: gradually readjusting bedtime, setting up visual cues throughout the day, letting the child choose their own clothes, adjusting meal times, and making sure the child has their security object. This routine helps reassure the child before starting school.
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Talking to a three-year-old about preschool requires a matter-of-fact approach and very concrete images. A presentation that’s too idealized risks causing disappointment, while complete silence fuels the stress of the unknown.
Instead of promising “great days,” describe what actually happens during the day’s key moments. Talk about the morning greeting, small-group play, recess, lunch, nap time, and the time you’ll come to pick them up. This sense of a schedule is reassuring. Children need to know that the day has a predictable end and that their parents always come back. Make sure you know the school’s daily schedule and be sure to ask about it during the admissions process. Atécole M, our Admissions Director will provide you with all the information you need to plan your child’s days. We also host a morning event for new families so your child can see the school in June. We recommend taking a few photos of your child on the school grounds so you can talk about them together later. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
If you're looking for simple words to help you talk to your child about this transition, check out our article on starting preschool.
To help the children visualize these explanations, walk the route to school with them several times during the week. Together, point out the school building, the main entrance, and the neighborhood playground where the children will play. You can also read a picture book about preschool without overdoing the enthusiasm.
If a child expresses concerns about toilet training or separation, listen to what they have to say without dismissing their emotions. Remember that in France, being toilet-trained is not a legal requirement for admission to preschool, and the teaching staff supports each child at their own pace.
The transition back to a regular sleep and meal schedule should begin at least seven days before the first day of school. A sudden change on the morning of the first day increases the child’s fatigue and emotional vulnerability.
Move bedtime up by fifteen minutes each night to adjust to the school schedule without any conflict. In the morning, wake your child up at the scheduled departure time. This routine helps stabilize their internal clock and prevents rushed mornings.
For lunch, gradually shift mealtime to 11:45 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. In preschool, children eat earlier than they do at home on weekends. Encourage your child to clear their plate and put on their shoes by themselves. Encouraging these simple daily taskshelps your child become independentright from the first few weeks of school.
During rest periods, set aside some quiet time in the early afternoon, right after lunch. Even if your child no longer naps at home, this quiet time will help them cope with the fatigue of group life. To learn more about young children’s sleep needs, you can consult the public health recommendations on ameli.fr.
Starting preschool doesn't require a complicated list of school supplies. Focusing on a few practical items makes everyday life easier for both the child and the teaching staff.
Choose clothing that’s easy for the child to put on and take off by themselves. Pants with elastic waistbands, shoes with Velcro straps, and loose-fitting T-shirts promote independence in the restroom and when getting dressed. Avoid overalls, belts, and difficult-to-fasten buttons, which can slow the child down when using the restroom. Our program places a strong emphasis on active learning approachesthat encourage these practical skills in everyday life.
Here is a list of essential items to prepare and label with your child's name:
All other school supplies are provided by the school. There is no need to buy pencil cases, notebooks, or markers for home use before the first day of school.
The first morning in preschool is structured around a brief, reassuring goodbye ritual. Prolonging the goodbye in the hallway increases the child’s emotional stress.
Pack your child’s things the night before to avoid stress in the morning. On the morning of the first day, allow enough time to walk to school at a leisurely pace. Arriving calmly allows your child to take in their new surroundings without rushing.
At the classroom door, hand your child over to the teacher or teaching assistant with a confident gesture. Tell them explicitly who will pick up your child and at what exact time—for example, after nap time or after snack time. Never leave without saying goodbye, as this undermines the child’s trust. If tears start to flow, remain reassuring: the teaching staff knows how to handle these reactions, and the child will quickly calm down once the activities begin.
At theÉcole M, we support young children as they take their first steps in a safe environment that respects each child’s individual pace.
The day at theÉcole M begins with a gradual, personalized arrival between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and ends with a staggered dismissal between 3:40 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
At theÉcole M, the children eat lunch in their classrooms, in small groups, with the two teachers. They help set the table. They are encouraged to try everything, but are never forced to eat.
At theÉcole M, nap time is offered on an as-needed basis, with no age restrictions, to children who need it. Those who don't sleep engage in quiet activities.
