Amy started kindergarten a while back and I completely forgot to write anything about her first day, first week or in fact, her first one and a half months, but as it was her very first parents evening this week, I thought I’d write a little about her experience so far because as always, my little girl completely surprised me.
As most of you will know, Amy has never attended nursery or regular play and toddler groups. It just didn’t happen or wasn’t my cup of tea, but since moving to Germany, I thought it would be a good idea to send her to kindergarten for a number of reasons: It would give me some time to really focus on my work, but most of all, it would help her make some new friends, socialise and learn the language a little better.
Soon after arriving in Germany, I signed her up for kindergarten (which caters for kids between 3 and 6), but unfortunately, there was quite a long waiting list, which meant that she only started in the second week of March. She did however start with a bang and completely surprised me: To say I was petrified of her settling in sessions is an understatement. I was so scared that she’d hate it and cry that I was an absolute wreck when I arrived for her first session, but Amy took everything in her own stride and after three days of 2 hour sessions, she stayed from 8.30 to 14.00 for the very first time and had an absolute blast.
She enjoys the interaction with all the children and although her German is not quite fluent, she has settled in brilliantly. Her teacher told me that she blends in beautifully and enjoys taking part in daily activities, in particular the PE and craft sessions. Since Amy joined nursery mid-term, the only available place for her was in a group of children who are already 5 and older, but this hasn’t stopped her from making friends at all. She’s very confident, apparently well ahead her age when it comes to physical development, e.g. gross and fine motor skills and surprise, surprise – she’s very energetic.
Amy loves outdoor play and I’m so glad that her kindergarten has a “there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing” rule, which means that the children get to play outside every day. Once a week, they also have a forest day that allows the kids to explore nature and discover and play outside their playground.
Amy is always super excited after these days and keeps talking about all the things she’s seen and done. Trying new activities and testing their boundaries is something that her kindergarten are really encouraging and I really love that they give the kids the chance to try new things and learn to be independent. They get changed and dressed every day, they make their own beds for their afternoon nap/relaxation time and they plate up their own meals at lunch time and it’s something that I find really important as it’s something we do at home too. Amy has always been very independent wanting to do things by herself and learning and I would have hated for that side of hers to get buried under when starting nursery.
In general, I am just super happy with Amy’s kindergarten journey so far. Her teacher in particular is an incredibly lovely lady. She’s got such a wonderful way with the kids and every single day I see that she loves what she’s doing and that the kids love her and I couldn’t be happier that Amy gets to spend part of her day with someone so passionate about children.
Can you remember your kid’s first week at nursery or kindergarten? How did it go?
HELEN says
April 28, 2015 at 7:31 amthats great that she’s settled in, especially in another country. It must be a big weight off your shoulders – go Amy!
x
Carolin says
April 28, 2015 at 11:27 amIt really is. You know how much I was dreading the settling in phase…
otilia says
April 28, 2015 at 10:23 amOh it sounds like a very good nursery for Amy. And the teacher 🙂 So glad you are both settling in well. I know how is like to move back home x
Carolin says
April 28, 2015 at 11:31 amYes, she always greets the girls with a hug and always has a smile on her face and it really put me at ease when Amy first started going…
Emma says
April 28, 2015 at 11:25 amIt’s such a huge relief when they settle in like that isn’t it? Sounds like a lovely kindergarten too! 🙂 x
Carolin says
April 28, 2015 at 11:33 amIt’s wonderful. The building is over 30 years old, but come summer they’ll be moving into brand new building on the edge of the forest. I couldn’t be happier with it 🙂
Dawn F says
April 28, 2015 at 11:47 amShe’s so cute! And I love the Easter egg candle. 🙂
Carolin says
April 29, 2015 at 5:46 pmAww thank you 🙂
Cass@frugalfamily says
April 29, 2015 at 7:06 amAw – it sounds like she’s settled in amazingly well. I dreaded both mine starting for the same reasons as you but my two both loved it too x x
Carolin says
April 29, 2015 at 5:48 pmI was surprised how much I had misjudged the situation. I was super shocked when it all went so smoothly. I was literally waiting for them to call and tell me that I would have to come in because she was inconsolable…
Sonya Cisco says
April 29, 2015 at 9:09 amIt sounds lovely! Syd goes 3 mornings a week now, and I think it is really helping him tackling things independently as if I am there he will get me to do it!
Carolin says
April 29, 2015 at 6:04 pmAmy has always been super independent and she gets quite grumpy whenever I want to do something for her. I guess that’s girls for you 😀
Mammasaurus says
April 29, 2015 at 9:56 amLovely to hear she’s settling in nicely and that you are happy with it! It make a huge difference when you are really really happy with childcare. I remember loving Kit and Ozzy kindergarten, how it reminded me of my pre-school years, it was quite and old skool setting with lots of wooden toys and Montessori stuff. I kind of miss their kindergarten still – which sounds odd I know!
Carolin says
April 29, 2015 at 6:00 pmI doesn’t 🙂 I miss it too sometimes. It was such a happy time for me and I’ve got lots of great memories from it. In fact, I’m still friends with my best friend from kindergarten 🙂
Penny Carr says
April 29, 2015 at 1:26 pmSo wonderful to hear how well she’s settled. I hated my kids’ first days at nursery, but actually once LMC got to school she was fine after just an initial bout of nerves. Master C has to wait a while yet (damn September birthday) as he’s already so keen to go to school. Just this morning in the pushchair on the way there he was saying over and over again “I big enough for school now”
Carolin says
April 29, 2015 at 6:01 pmAww bless him. I’m kind of glad that Amy has to wait until 2017 until she starts school.
Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
May 2, 2015 at 9:37 amI’m so pleased to hear that she is getting on well at KIndergarden, I can completely understand your nerves and I know I shed a tear or two when Tigger started at pre-school.
jenny paulin says
May 11, 2015 at 6:55 amawwww well done Amy and well done you Carolin – sounds like you have bothed coped really well with this change in your lives. Sounds like Amy is doing so well and it made me smile reading this at how far my future DIL has come xx