Darling Sophie,
Today saw you take a little step into the world of independence – your first day at preschool. A new adventure, new opportunities to learn and to make friends. A few hours of your life each week that I will no longer have a share in. A time that I will only get to find out about from the little snippets of information that you or the preschool staff will share with me. Your time – your time to grow, and to learn, and to have fun.
This is a first for you, but not for me. I’ve been here before. It feels different this time. I’m more confident second time around. Preschool is a familiar place. I know the staff here and so do you. There are no worries about whether you will be well cared for because I know you will be. I know how much you enjoyed playing here when we went to stay and play sessions with Jessica. You will settle in, and you will enjoy it. There are no additional medical needs to make sure the staff are aware of, no extra concerns. Just a little girl heading off for a new adventure.
I am not sure who was more excited about you starting preschool this morning – you or Jessica. For the first time, I had two little girls to drop off on the school run. You went in quite happily – a quick kiss goodbye for Mummy and Daddy and barely a backward glance as you headed inside. It felt strange for me to be back at preschool – in some ways Jessica’s preschool days felt like a long time ago but at the same time, it felt like hardly any time had passed since I’d done this for the first time with her.
It did feel strangely quiet back at home. As lovely as having a little time to myself was, I did miss my little shadow until it was time to pick you up again. You came out proudly clutching the picture you’d drawn for me, a big happy smile on your face. The preschool staff said you’d had a good morning.
I asked you what you’d done on your first day and you gave me a big smile and said “ummm… nothing!” Other than telling me you’d had some orange, apple and milk at snack time, I’ve not managed to get much information about your first morning. Thankfully I’ve learned from Jessica’s preschool days not to expect to be told too much. Little things will come out in chatter over the coming days, but I’ve learned that much of what happens at preschool, stays at preschool!
I’m just happy that you seemed to have enjoyed yourself. I still can’t quite believe that you’re big enough to be going to preschool. My baby has become a confident little girl; a little girl with a whole new world to discover. I’m looking forward to seeing how you will grow and thrive over your time at preschool. Just don’t grow too quickly – okay?
Love you millions and billions
Mummy xxxxx
Ah this reminded me of when my little one started nursery. And then the day she started school. Lovely recollection to treasure. They do grow far too fast.
Thank you Emma – definitely agree that they grow far too quickly!
Ah bless her, it’s funny how they refuse to talk about anything except for what they’ve eaten isn’t it?? I’m glad it went so well for her, it must have been a real relief for you that she loved it.
Nat.x
It is funny – she’s so chatty normally but trying to get information about preschool is just met with resistance. Jessica was exactly the same! So glad that she enjoyed it though 🙂
Aww so pleased she had a good day. I wonder how they know the rule about what happens at preschool, stays at preschool? Freya is just the same. She won’t even tell me if she’s eaten anything. I hope she continues to enjoy it.
Thank you Tara. Isn’t it funny how they tend to be reluctant to say anything about what they’ve done? Hope Freya is enjoying preschool too 🙂
Aww they grow so quickly don’t they? My daughter started going in September and I understand that feeling more comfortable part and then the other part was thinking she’s still so little! I hope she loves it!
Thank you Laura – hope your daughter is enjoying it too 🙂
I learned with Dan not to take the direct approach on questioning. I even resorted to ” Did the dinosaur come in today?” followed by “Well, what DID happen, then, if the dinosaur didn’t come?” when told not to be so silly. Side byt side talking is good, too, when the pressure to make eye contact and communicate ‘properly’ is off – a very good tip for mums of boys in particular! Still works at age 19 😉
I like that technique. It worked quite well when I tried it with Jessica today so will have to give it a go! Thanks Cathy x
Awww this is so lovely. Time really does go too quickly does it. I am glad to hear that Sophie had a great day at Preschool. I am pleased to hear that I am not the only one who doesn’t get much information back about what happens at nursery/preschool!
Thank you Jenni – definitely a case of what happens at preschool, stays at preschool! x
Hi Louise, what a lovely letter. Sophie does look cheeky in that photo. I remember the days that my two came out of school claiming to have done nothing, but finding out in play and chat that they had actually done quite a bit.
I hope she doesn’t grow up too fast either, there should be a law against it!
xx
Thank you Debbie – it’s funny how most kids seem to be the same when it comes to talking about what they did at school! x