Helping Your Child Settle into Preschool

The first weeks of preschool can feel like a big change for everyone — child and parent alike. Here's what we've seen work, after welcoming hundreds of new children at Kingsbee.

Visit before day one. A casual walk around the campus, a chat with their future teacher, and seeing their cubby and chair before the first day reduces "unknown" anxiety by half.

Keep goodbyes short and warm. Long, drawn-out goodbyes amplify worry for both of you. A consistent ritual — a hug, a hand squeeze, a phrase like "I'll see you after lunch" — works wonders.

Don't overpromise. Avoid "It'll be so fun, you'll love it!" before they've experienced it. Try "Some parts will feel new and that's okay" instead.

Trust the process — and the teachers. Most children who cry at drop-off are happily playing within ten minutes. Our teachers will message you if anything is genuinely wrong; if you don't hear from us, your child is doing well.

Be patient with yourself, too. Watching your child step into a new world is a milestone for you as well. It's allowed to feel big.