First Day Guide

Gear Recommendations

Visit our gear recommendations page here.

What to Pack for the First Day

  1. Rain Gear:

    • Waterproof clothing, which can be extra water-resistant if sprayed with Tech Wash (recommended brand in gear list).

    • The only style we wouldn’t recommend is the overall-style with shoulder straps—it’s the trickiest for nature pees since you have to take the jacket off to get the straps down. A full shell suit or separate pants are much easier to manage out in the woods.

    • Rain boots: Croc rain boots are lightweight and durable.

    • If your child is potty training, opt for two-piece rain gear for easier toileting.

  2. Cold Weather Essentials:

    • Water-resistant gloves.

    • A warm hat (if your child’s rain gear doesn’t have a hood or they don’t like using the hood).

    • Extra insulated puff jacket in case it’s cold or if their rain suit isn’t insulated.

  3. Extra Clothes:

    • Pack in a dry bag to keep them clean and dry. The same bag can be used to store wet clothes if accidents happen.

  4. Snacks and Water:

    • Two snacks (avoid wrappers when possible to reduce littering).

    • A water bottle with a straw to prevent spills. Avoid bottles with rubber bottoms as they can be hard to store in backpacks.

  5. Backpack Requirements:

    • Ensure all items fit into the child’s backpack without requiring help.

    • Recommend a backpack that has chest strap to help with weight distribution.

    • Keep the backpack light enough for your child to carry independently. For a child weighing 40 lbs, the maximum backpack weight should be around 4–6 lbs (10-15% of their body weight).

  6. Comfort Item (Optional):

    • We discourage bringing stuffed toys or large items as they can get lost, add weight, or distract from class. However, a small transition item is okay (e.g., a keychain or item small enough to fit in one hand).

Tips for Success:

  • Avoid rubberized items (e.g., Stasher snack bags, lunchbox edges) as they make it harder for kids to pack their bags independently.

  • Keep the bag as light as possible since your child will carry it over long distances outdoors.

We’re excited to welcome your child to their first day of outdoor adventure! 🌧️🌳

Lunch

  • The best lunch boxes sometimes aren’t even lunch boxes. We have seen kiddos be successful with multiple small containers for creating a bento style of eating but lightening the load of a heavy lunch box for hiking.

  • Children's lunches should include a grain, protein, and a fruit or vegetable. Please avoid wrapper snacks to reduce waste.

  • Children will not have access to microwave or refrigerator, so items packed will need to be heated before put into a thermos or not temperature sensitive.

  • Your child should not need an ice pack for their lunches.

  • Lunch container does not go inside a thermal sleeve.

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Information

Shire Class:

  • Drop-Off: In the classroom between 8:30-8:45 AM

  • Pick-Up: From the classroom at 3:30 PM

Rivendell Class:

  • Drop-Off: At Discovery Park playground between 8:30-8:45 AM

  • Pick-Up: From the classroom at 3:30 PM

Tips for First Day Success

Quick Tips to Best Prepare for the First Day

  1. Role-Playing:
    Practice the first-day routine at home. Role-play getting ready in the morning, saying goodbye at drop-off, participating in school activities, and reuniting at pick-up time. This helps familiarize your child with the new routine and reduce anxiety.

  2. Outfit Selection:
    Pick out clothes the night before to make the morning routine smoother and less hurried.

  3. Limit Variables:
    Reduce morning decisions or changes to keep the atmosphere calm and predictable.

  4. Separation Anxiety:
    Try singing the “Grown-ups Come Back” song to reassure your child.

  5. Visual Schedules:
    Create a simple, picture-based schedule at home that mirrors the preschool day, helping your child understand and anticipate activities.

  6. Practice Sessions:
    Set up a “school” at home with activities like arts and crafts, puzzles, or group games to introduce structure and routines.

  7. Visit the School:
    During your visit, show your child the drop-off area, coat hooks, lunch spot, and bathrooms to build familiarity with the space.

  8. Storybooks About School:
    Read positive, engaging books about starting preschool to show your child how fun and exciting school can be.

  9. Encourage Independence:
    In the weeks before school, encourage tasks like putting on shoes, washing hands, and packing a backpack to build confidence and autonomy.

These tips can help your child feel prepared, confident, and excited for their first day! 😊

Daily Communication

How We Communicate About Your Child’s Day:

  • Instagram: We share learning moments and fun activities (without showing children’s faces). Be sure to follow us @windrosemontessori

  • Brightwheel: See specifics about your child’s learning, naps, and bathrooming. You can enable daily learning summaries in the app settings.

  • Bi-Weekly Summaries: Detailed summaries of what your child has been learning will be sent out every two weeks.

  • Slack: Used for community updates and long-form communication. For quick updates like “we’re running late,” please message us through Brightwheel.

Places We Visit

Family Photo

Bring in a family photo for us to add to the family wall!