School is in Session

Katerina has started a new nursery school. Last year she was in For Kids Only daycare center for 2 mornings a week. It was a good experience for her as she learned to socialize with other kids, but this year, when she was old enough, we are sending her to Briarcliff Nursery School which is located on two and one-half acres and has such a fabulous yard for the kids. The school was established in 1947 as a parent cooperative and it remains so today. BNS has been accredited since 1994 by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). What I love about the school is the teaching approach and the opportunities for parent involvement.

Katerina goes to school 3 mornings a week. The first week was a get-acquainted week with parents there. They broke up the kids into 2 groups, each for 1 1/2 so Katerina was with 5 other classmates. The 2nd day the parents were herded into the kitchen mid-way. The 3rd day we brought the kids in and they had us gather on the porch from the beginning. Unfortunately, the 2nd week which was the first week with all 12 students and the first week without parents, Katerina missed for the cruise. The following week she had a very tough time and clung to us as we dropped her off. Apparently, she was very standoffish inside and out in the play area. It wasn't until the first week of October that she started to engage with other kids and today, we received a note from the teachers that she was smiling all day, participating and having a great time.

We've noticed that Katerina approaches new environments by observing for a while before joining in and this was exactly the behavior she exhibited at school.

Katerina and Hannah sitting in their cubbies. Some kids get all the hair!!