For many children, the end of the summer holidays is often a bit of a thrill. Maybe it's time to start pre-school, or to come back after a few months' break. For those of you who want to prepare for the start of pre-school or school, we have put together a checklist with everything you need to be ready!
What does a child starting pre-school really need? Of course, there's no one right answer here, and it's up to each parent to decide for themselves. Sometimes you can be overwhelmed with tips on what to buy, but often it's enough to have a few basic things with you. That's why we've created this checklist, feel free to add or remove what we've listed. Also, don't forget that it's always possible to replace or leave more things at the preschool, in case you forgot something!
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Things to think about before starting pre-school
Labelling your child's favourite shirts is a smart move, so that nothing gets lost. It's easy for your child to leave clothes in different places at nursery and then never find them again. To be prepared for this, many parents label all clothes with either non-iron or iron-on tags. Both options are easy to apply, but the iron-on version often stands up better to the high temperatures of the washing machine.
Checklist: Familiarisation
General gadgets
- Comforter blanket
- Nappar
- Cuddly toys
- Nappies
Indoor clothing
- Comfortable, stretchy and soft clothes that your child can move around in easily.
- Anti-slip socks
- Change of sweaters/t-shirts and trousers
- 1 warm jumper
- Gosig felt
Outerwear
- Rainwear that can withstand wet and wind. Invest in a rack that is easy to wash, children like to play outdoors and do not care if it is a mud or water puddle! Gallon is a popular alternative, there are both lined and unlined variants.
- Rubber boots
- Hat - one thinner and one thicker
- Coveralls that withstand freezing temperatures
- Fleece
- Waterproof shoes/boots
When do children usually start pre-school?
This is an individual decision, and there is no one right answer. Some people want to start after 1 year, while others are happy to wait until the child is 3. This is a decision that is up to the parents, and also depends on the child's development curve.
