Thanks to both of you PPs! Appreciate the good thoughts!

GL to your girl when the big day arrives! Be sure to come back and update us.

Hi! I can’t give any advice on this subject. I homeschooled all of mine from the beginning. I just want you to know that I am praying for you and your daughter. How exciting that she will be starting kindergarten! I know I feel bittersweet when my children hit these large milestones!

OP here. Thank you all for these thoughtful comments. I did not realize that we would be invited back to the school before it opens that Monday! I figured we would just get a letter in the mail telling us what teacher she gets.

Now, I think I will put her on the bus and follow it to school. Sounds like the best plan. I hope I can hold back my tears!

I put my child on the bus but followed it to school. I was very glad I did. It was chaos. I helped multiple K-ers find their way. Our school does let parents take their kids the first day obviously. DC was totally independent on the bus after day #1.

We did the bus from day 1. Our school did not let parents inside the building, although some I knew stood out front and sent me some photos

At my kids' school, our principal does not allow the children to be walked into the school by their parents. The first week especially there are staff members at every door telling children where to go. Make sure your child knows who their teacher is by name, it will help if they get turned around in the hallways.

I agree with the other PP's that stick with the routine you want to keep for the rest of the year. As for following the bus, some parents have really make the kindergarten entrance to our elementary school a complete chaos zone those first few days of school, both walkers and those who follow the bus and bring boatloads of camera equipment. I am on my third kid and just in the past five years, there are now parents with tripod cameras and all sorts of nuttiness. Honestly, it makes the kids more stressed out and upset – just let them get there and focus and do what they need to do without all the other added stress of posing for pictures and whatnot.

When you have consensus on DCUM, you know you are onto something.
Agree with all other PPs. Put your kid on the bus.
It's normal for your child to be a bit nervous, but you need to portray a calm and positive front for her. (You can cry once she's on the bus!)

Definitely see what your school allows. Ours does not let parents inside on the first day. (Or other days unless you have something going on at school.)

They also encourage using the bus from day one. That's when everyone is new to the routine and there is a lot of support. I bet the older kids at her bus stop will think she's cute and help her! I know that my 2nd grader would think it really cool to help a kindergartner find a seat on the bus those first few days.

Bus on day 1. Your child should have a name tag with their teacher and there is plenty of help at school to get there.

I will say that I had a hard time b/c it's different then dropping your child off at preschool. But my child was fine and loved it.