Our opening morning began before the first bell. Teachers tied ribbons to every chair, filled the hall with soft music and set out a welcome table of name tags shaped like little paper birds. By nine o’clock the room was buzzing with the happiest kind of noise.
Children arrived holding a parent’s hand, some running straight to the balloon corner, others watching quietly from the doorway. Both are perfectly okay. Our teachers greeted each child at eye level, learned their name and invited them to choose a colour for the class rainbow.
A gentle start to big feelings
The first day is as much for grown-ups as it is for children. We kept the schedule soft and predictable: a welcome circle, a movement song, free exploration, snack time, then a story before goodbye. Repetition builds safety, and safety is what makes curiosity possible.
What the children explored
- A balloon parade through the garden path, led by our Kindergarten friends.
- The class rainbow — every child added a handprint in their chosen colour.
- Sensory trays of rice, ribbon and wooden beads for the youngest explorers.
- A shared picnic snack on the lawn with families invited to stay.
By the time the last story was read, the paper birds had found their nests, the rainbow was full and nearly every child waved goodbye at the gate. We cannot wait for tomorrow.