What Should I Tell My Child’s Preschool Teacher Before the First Day?

Start with the details that help a teacher welcome your child

The first day can feel like a lot for both parent and child. You do not need to give a teacher a complete biography, but a few concrete details can make the welcome more personal and the handover less rushed.

Share the name your child responds to, how to pronounce it, and who will usually collect them. If your child uses a familiar word for a comfort item, toilet, drink, or family member, mention that too. Small language details can help a new adult understand a child more quickly.

Describe routines, not labels

It is more useful to describe what happens than to give a broad label. Instead of saying “She is a picky eater,” you might say, “She usually eats plain food first and may need time before trying something new.” Instead of “He is shy,” you could say, “He often watches for a few minutes before joining a new group.”

Keep the information brief and current. Mention parts of the morning that tend to go smoothly, what a tired or overwhelmed child may look like, and the simple things that usually help them reset, such as a quiet minute, a familiar song, or looking at a book.

• Your child’s usual name and any words they use differently from adults.
• Who is authorised to collect them and the best way to reach you during the day.
• Relevant arrival, snack, rest, toileting, or separation routines to discuss with the school.
• A short note about what comforts or interests your child, such as vehicles, animals, songs, drawing, or stories.
• Any information the school specifically requests about allergies, medication, or health needs.

Be clear about changes at home

A change in routine can affect how a young child arrives at school. If there has been a move, a new sibling, travel, a disrupted night, or another change that may make the morning harder, let the teacher know in a simple, private way.

You do not have to share more than you are comfortable with. A useful message is often just one sentence: “He is adjusting to a new sleep routine this week, so he may be more tired than usual.” That gives the teacher context without turning a handover into a long conversation.

Ask how the school wants information shared

Each preschool has its own communication process. Before the first day, ask which details should go on the admission form, which should be discussed with the teacher, and how to update the school if something changes. Confirm the school’s current rules for medicines, food, comfort items, collection arrangements, and urgent contact details rather than assuming they are the same as another setting.

Toddlers Nursery & Playschool offers Playgroup, Nursery, Junior KG, and Senior KG. Families can ask the school which first-day details are most useful for their child’s current program and how day-to-day updates are shared.

Keep the first conversation collaborative

Teachers learn most about a child by spending time with them, so treat your notes as a starting point rather than a fixed description. A child who is quiet on day one may become very talkative by the end of the week, and a child who separates easily at home may need extra reassurance in a new room.

After a few days, ask what the teacher has noticed and compare it with what you see at home. A calm two-way conversation gives everyone a clearer picture and makes it easier to agree on one simple next step if your child needs support settling in.