Every September there are floods of tears outside the gates of kindergartens. Sad tears and happy tears. Parents and children all have tears in their eyes and they must but don’t want to say “goodbye” with each other. But if you come to Wycombe Abby Kindergarten now, you will see the warm welcome from teachers and active children in the campus and relaxed parents outside the school. In the short period of one week, the K1 tears of appreciation have evaporated and our wonderful happy children can say “goodbye” to their parents graciously under the autumn morning sun. Then they can hold the teacher's hand and walk through the forest path to the classroom confidently!

What’s the magic that can help the students to settle in so quickly? Here, our teachers share their “Top 3 Secret Tactics” with you, so you can.

Step1: Environment Creation

The KG1 classes in Wycombe Abbey are named Pufferfish, Lionfish, and Sea Dragon.

The teachers decorated the classrooms beautifully and warmly by matching the class names. The hall of KG1 has a Forest Library and it matches the new KG Forest Garden. The children can see the Forest from outside to inside. The teachers followed children’s perspective “1 metre height”. The environment creations were all set at a height that can be easily seen and touched by the children. We also set the family and natural environment such as the short reading table outside the classroom and the toys inside the classroom. These offer the sense of freshness and security And these help the children to build familiarity and confidence.

Step2: Home-school Interaction

At the beginning of the opening of KG1, we invited all the parents to bring their children into the campus, so that parents could meet the teachers, see the classroom, and find more about our philosophy of learning.

The biggest concern for new KG1 students is separation anxiety, but this does not only exist in the children, but many young parents also feel uncomfortable because their children are going to leave them for Kindergarten. We invite parents and children into the school together, and through the interaction between parents, teachers, and children, we build trust.

When the children return to KG, the parents, teachers and children already have a preliminary understanding between each other, and the children do not feel as anxious as many unknown have been uncovered. We encourage parents and children to say "goodbye" to each other before the teachers take children inside the school. We do this in a way that children know the parents will return for them soon, and to make sure that the children know the parents' love is always there. Every day, we communicate with parents about their children's school learning, games and diet through the form "My Day" to ensure that parents know their children's daily situation in the Kindergarten, and also let parents feel the teachers' care for their children.

Step 3: Regular Schedule

In K1 classes of Wycombe Abbey, we offer a rich diverse curriculums. Phonics, Music, Art, Dance and Swimming are all in our schedule. Every day, the lessons begin with the sound of teachers and children’s greeting each other at Circle Time.

Then we interact as friends through singing, playing games and observing. Some children will cry in the morning because they miss their families. We encourage them to express their emotions bravely. At the same time, we follow the class schedule to bring the children into focused learning and divert their attention with class activities.

Step 3: Regular Schedule

In K1 classes of Wycombe Abbey, we offer a rich diverse curriculums. Phonics, Music, Art, Dance and Swimming are all in our schedule. Every day, the lessons begin with the sound of teachers and children’s greeting each other at Circle Time.

Then we interact as friends through singing, playing games and observing. Some children will cry in the morning because they miss their families. We encourage them to express their emotions bravely. At the same time, we follow the class schedule to bring the children into focused learning and divert their attention with class activities.

Every young child is a capable learner, and they are far more powerful than we give them credit for. We believe that in Wycombe Abbey, in our respectful and open environment, our KG1 children will have a full sense of security, and can quickly love be together. As educators, we respond to our children at all times and make every first meeting a lasting joy.