Day One: Silverstream Kindergarten

Today was the first day back for most of the kids who go to Kindy, for some it will be the normal for them and for others it was the excitement of moving to morning sessions from afternoons (meaning they are getting older).

But for Bethany today was the first day of not only starting morning sessions, but also starting a new Kindergarten.

I have been secretly dreading this happening for a few weeks now. Since the holidays started in December I really don't feel like I have spent much time with Bethany, we have been so busy with the house move that our special time together that we normally have everyday has been interrupted. Also, now that she has started morning Kindy means she is well on her way to starting school soon - a scary thought!

At 6.55am this morning Bethany bounded into our bedroom fully dressed and ready to go, she was actually quite excited and wasn't at all interested in having breakfast. She just wanted to play with her new Spongebob Squarepants lunch back pack and wait by the door with her shoes on, it was a long 3 hours wait for her!

Arriving at Kindy was fine, we found the head teacher who I remembered from our previous visits. Sadly however she didn't remember us and didn't know Bethany's name. Also no peg for her had been created and the head teacher was in a bit of a flap with all that was going on. Fair enough though, first day back but it's not like we havent been before and we did show up an hour after session had already started!

Anyway, the morning was fine, we played, Bethany made some new friends and she even ventured off by herself a few times only looking back when she realised I hadn't followed! The Kindy is gorgeous, really nice new modern Kindy with the most amazing outdoor area. A huge sandpit and an even bigger play area - it was amazing, wish I was a kid again, I wouldn't know what to do first!

Things work differently now at the morning sessions and the children are allowed to sit and have 'morning tea' (which is a new thing for us) anytime after 9.45am, super but as the children cant really tell the time yet there were heaps of them wandering around not knowing what to do.

Bethany grabbed her food and sat with a lovely little girl. They talked and laughed, it was lovely to see. I always think its amazing how children have no inhibitions, wish we could do that as adults. I do also think that at some point in the morning a formal introduction to the class may have worked nicely, but sadly that didn't happen.

The only other part of the morning which I thought was really odd was Show and Tell. I know its something they do in America and I hadn't heard of it here till now, but basically it is as it says. Children are asked to bring something in and show it to the group and talk about it. Sounds great, but at the age these kids are not only did they not have the interest but it was clear it was too advanced for them right now. Fidgeting, bored children doesnt help anyone!

All in all though a super morning. Bethany REALLY loved it and I have no fears about her going there. She loved it so much that she has been telling anyone and everyone who will listen that she started new Kindy today. She even told a man who walked past us in the street as we were waiting to cross the road by shouting "excoose me, I started noo Kindy today"!!

Day two tomorrow, and we are looking forward to it. It's always difficult coming from an amazing Kindergarten like Brooklyn was and adapting to new ways, but I think she, erm we, will be all fine.