First Day Guide

Gear Recommendations

Visit our gear recommendations page here.

Rain Gear:
- Waterproof clothing, which can be extra water-resistant if sprayed with Tech Wash (recommended brand in gear list).
- Rain boots: Croc rain boots are lightweight and durable.
- If your child is potty training, opt for two-piece rain gear for easier toileting.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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).

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! 🌧️🌳

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 refridgerator, 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.

Shire Class:

Rivendell Class:

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.
Outfit Selection:
Pick out clothes the night before to make the morning routine smoother and less hurried.
Limit Variables:
Reduce morning decisions or changes to keep the atmosphere calm and predictable.
Separation Anxiety:
Try singing the “Grown-ups Come Back” song to reassure your child.
Visual Schedules:
Create a simple, picture-based schedule at home that mirrors the preschool day, helping your child understand and anticipate activities.
Practice Sessions:
Set up a “school” at home with activities like arts and crafts, puzzles, or group games to introduce structure and routines.
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.
Storybooks About School:
Read positive, engaging books about starting preschool to show your child how fun and exciting school can be.
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! 😊

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.