Is this rude/an imposition?

[Anonymous]

My dd (almost 3) is starting preschool in September. The day before school starts there is a one hour orientation for the whole 12 person class (2 teachers). Then the next day school starts.

My dd has never had anything other than one-on-one care (me, grandma, beloved nanny) and does not interact easily with strangers. I am worried about the transition to being in a big group.

Is it rude/an imposition to see if we can go to the school the day before the orientation, when it's just us, so my dd can see the room and meet the teacher in a quieter setting? I don't want to begin the year being the pushy/overbearing parent, but I do think it would help.

[Anonymous]

Not at all as long as you keep it short, 15-20 mins. The teachers have a lot of work todo the first few days before school starts, but they may even enjoy the break from setting up the classroom.

[Anonymous]

OF course not! As long as you do not ask in a way that is overbearing, rude, or pushy, I am sure the school will understand.

[Anonymous]

This would not fly at my child's preschool.

In theory it SHOULD be fine, but I think that the school director would freak out.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's rude or pushy if you put it to them the way you put it here for us, which makes total sense.

I would just say to the teacher/director, "If it's not too much of an imposition; I know how busy you must be" etc etc. and make it clear from the outset you know it might not be the most convenient thing for them, but of they could swing it for 10-15 minutes, it might make a big difference for your daughter's first day.

Also, I know just what you're going through! DS (3 y.o.) had never been to a group setting before doing preschool camp this summer. For a few weeks before camp started, I would try to drive by the school a few times a week and get super excited like, "Look, look--there's your school!!" and sometimes we'd get out and walk around it. It seemed to help, because pretty soon he was beside himself with excitement too! Also, I got this great book that helped a lot--"What to Expect at Preschool"--

http://books.google.com/books?id=ex4t2RIXxjIC&dq=%22what+to+expect+at+preschool%22&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=dSZyDcfOsR&sig=b5EjSHyXwv0a8vZUjUdhiO7JvQs&hl=en&ei=IQeHSpyZEZCStgf-idjnDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4#v=onepage&q=&f=false

It was very helpful for DS! Maybe it would help your DD as well?

Good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

Our preschool teachers do home visits so the children and teachers meet before school--is this not common ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our preschool teachers do home visits so the children and teachers meet before school--is this not common ?

I know this practice occurs in many preschools for children facing learning difficulties. For most schools, however, unless it's a tiny preschool, I seriously doubt this would be manageable.

You're quite lucky, PP.

[Anonymous]

Our preschool teachers do home visits so the children and teachers meet before school--is this not common ?

As the parent of an introvert, I don't think a home visit would be as helpful as a visit to the school. I think the home visit would feel like an intrusion; my child would much rather be the one who gets to see the new space and does the reaching out (not that there would be a lot of reaching out, but things need to feel like his decision for him to be comfortable with them. Or sort of his decision, because he's not calling most of the shots, much as he would like to.)

Good luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

another recommendation is to go to the playground on the weekend and just play there for a little bit. As adults we do things to make our transitions smooth - we might check out our new office space before we move or do the drive prior to a new job so that you know the lay of the land.

I don't think it is unreasonable to do the same for our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our preschool teachers do home visits so the children and teachers meet before school--is this not common ?

I know this practice occurs in many preschools for children facing learning difficulties. For most schools, however, unless it's a tiny preschool, I seriously doubt this would be manageable.

You're quite lucky, PP.

New poster here, and our preschool does home visits, as well, but only for children who are new to the school. I think this makes sense -- doing it each year would seem like overkill. But last year, when my older son was new, it was a great part of the transition.

[Anonymous]

I just asked to do this at the preschool where mine will be starting and they were happy to let us visit. They did note that the teachers would be busy and wouldn't have much time to talk (understandable), but the kids can visit the school and at least briefly meet the teacher.