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Starting school is something we all do. It is a special time for both a child and their family. During this time of growth and change, families may have questions and, in some cases, possibly feel a little anxious. Hopefully this blog article can help answer any questions and ease any worries you may have.
How do I know my child is ready for school?
Children can join Rugby School Thailand (RST) from the age of 2. Our curriculum is designed to excite and engage your child in the classroom. Learning is fun! Through play, our students explore to make sense of the world around them as they learn and grow.
Your child is likely ready to join Pre-Nursery or Nursery if he or she;
- Is curious and beginning to show an interest in others,
- Happily spends short periods of time playing without the need of a main carer,
- Is beginning to show independence and self-care skills, such as wanting to feed themselves or take off their own shoes and socks.
What if my child cries when I first drop them off at school?
This is a concern for many parents when bringing their child to school for the first time. At RST we have a special ‘Settling-In Programme’ that allows parents to gradually and confidently acclimatise their child to school as part of their life and routines.
On the first day of school a parent or primary carer from home is invited to spend the morning in school with your child. This allows your child to explore their new environment with the security of having a special person close by who can help reinforce the idea that school is a happy and safe place. The next day, your child will independently attend a ‘One Hour School Day’. Each day after this is then assessed with the aim of building your child up to feel comfortable about attending school full-time.
We also suggest some home strategies you can use to help prepare your child for the start of school;
- Ensuring that your child has regular sleep and wake-up times. If your child is well rested, they will have ample energy to make the most of their school day.
- Be organised! Getting a toddler to school can be stressful. If you are feeling anxious or hurried then your child will too. Ensure uniform is ready and school bags are packed the night before school. Involve your child in the packing process, such as choosing what snacks they pack for breaktimes.
- In the days leading up to starting school, talk to your child about how exciting it will be. Mention new friends, the names of teachers and the fun things they will be able to do.
- Be positive! If you are happy, confident and positive about starting school, your child will absorb and feel these feelings too.
Creating a partnership between home and school built on trust is also very important. Communicate with your child’s teacher regularly. Discuss successes and problems. Our teachers are very experienced and supportive, working together is guaranteed way to ensure success for your child.
My child is not toilet trained. Help!
There is no need to worry. RST Early Years staff are ready to work closely with you to help your child complete all their developmental milestones as and when they are ready. This includes toilet training. Once your child shows signs that they are ready for each stage, your class teacher will work with you to create a toilet training schedule that works best for your family. Your child may be ready when he or she;
- Can let you know that they have a had a pee or a poo in their nappy (diaper).
- Can tell you when they are peeing in their nappy.
- Can stay dry for at least an hour.
- Sometimes ‘hides’ when they go for a pee or a poo in their nappy.
- Shows an interest in the toilet or people using the toilet.
- Wakes from their day-time nap with a dry nappy.
And of course, in the first few weeks of toilet training we expect a few accidents along the way, all we ask is that your child has extra clothes in their school bag to get changed into.
For further reading, take a look at the UK National Health Service Guidance.
What will my child do in school each day?
Just as if they were in the UK, your child will follow the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework’.
A typical day for 2 to 4-year-old will start at 8:30am. The class will come together and say ‘Good Morning’ to all their friends and class teachers as the register is taken. Pupils will count how many friends are in school and think about which day of the week it is, which is how we can start introducing mathematical concepts of numbers and time to our youngest learners.
During the school day, students spend time in class engaging with teacher prepared activities that are based on planned bi-termly topics. These class sessions may look like play, and they are, but each one is structured to support EYFS goals and to ensure your child learns as they have fun with their friends and teachers.
Additionally, all children in Pre-Nursery and Nursery are brought together each day for outdoor play sessions. These help to further develop social skills by encouraging children to grow wider friendship circles.
Each week, your child will have dedicated swimming, Physical Education and music lessons taught by a qualified specialist teacher. They will also visit the school Library with their class teacher and get an opportunity to enjoy the soft play room.
Should I choose the half day or full day programme for my child?
If your child is in Pre-Nursery of Nursery, this decision will be down to what you feel your child is ready for. We advise that if you think your child will take time to settle into school, you choose the half day programme which ends at 12noon.
If your child is confident with school, we recommend the full day programme, which takes place from 8am to 3:15pm, and is compulsory from Reception onwards. Once you join the full day programme, your child also has the optional to join the ‘After School Club’ programme that runs each day, except on Fridays, from 3:15pm to 4:15pm. These clubs include arts and crafts, games and other developmental activities that your child can choose to take part in.
Will my child miss out if they attend the half day programme?
Not at all. We ensure that all specialist lessons, visits to the different areas of the school and school trips are all completed in the morning so our half-day students can keep up with the class. The afternoons are dedicated to eating lunch, nap time and social activities with classmates. Teachers supervise and often join in but this is time for fun with friends and exercise after lunch and a rest.
My child does not take a mid-day nap, will this be a problem?
At RST we completely understand that each child is individual with different needs and routines. If your child no longer takes a daytime nap, we simply make alternative arrangements for them.
Will my child miss out if they attend the half day programme?
RST only offers nap times to our youngest students in Pre-Nursery and Nursey. In Pre-Nursery the children sleep for a maximum of 1 hour and in Nursery 45 minutes. These times are flexible and can be extended for students that require longer nap times.
