Waiting Lists/Contact Us

If you would like more
information regarding our
schools, would like to
schedule a tour of a facility,
or would like to put your
child on our waiting list,
please contact:

Teddy Bear Treehouse
Poway
(858) 748-5600
Email

Teddy Bear Treehouse
Rancho Penasquitos
(858) 538-4800
Email

Westminster Presbetarian Preschool
Point Loma
(619) 224-7403
Email

Please be sure to include
your name, your phone
number, your child's age
and when you would be
interested in attending one
of our schools

They Don't Come with a Manual: Positive Transitions
by Melinda Carvalho, Director

Beginning preschool can be tough on you and your child, whether it is for the first time, or transitioning into a new classroom. It can be difficult to see your child sad or upset because they cannot be with you all day. Here are a few ideas to help you and your child make it through the transition into preschool:

PREPARING AT HOME
Get your child excited about being at school. Read stories about going to school like “Froggy Goes to School,” “Time for School,” “Stinky Face,” etc. He or she will be more inclined to want to go to school if you tell them about all of the fun and exciting things they will be doing.

At preschool your child is encouraged to be independent. Prepare at home by practicing self-help activities. Assist your child in eating on their own and practice eating lunch out of a lunchbox at home. Introduce the idea of cleaning up by singing a song while picking up their toys at home. Help your child begin to make decisions by giving your child choices between two or three things.

Remind your child that when they go to school, it is just like when mom or dad go to work. At the end of the day your child comes home, just like when you come home from work. Even though you have to say goodbye in the morning, you get to say hello again in the afternoon.

Talk with your child about what is going on at school. Get involved and stay informed with what is happening in the classroom. If there is an activity, theme or friend that your child really enjoys, talk about it with your child.

TRANSITIONS AT SCHOOL
Saying goodbye in the morning is usually the hardest part of the day. You can make the morning go smoother by creating a routine that you stick to every day. Whether it is a high-five and a “see-ya-later” or put a “kiss” in your child’s pocket that they can reach in and feel throughout the day. Make your goodbye sweet, short and final. The longer you drag out your goodbye, the harder it is to leave.

Make sure that your child knows you are leaving. Don’t sneak away, as this makes things even harder for both of you. “The Kissing Hand” is a good book to read with your child about saying goodbye at school.

Once you have said goodbye and left your child, don’t come back until it is time for you to take them home. Your child may get upset if they see you peeking through a window, but you don’t take them home.

Your positive attitude toward preschool will help your child feel better about being here and having fun. Say goodbye with a happy face and tell them you love them and will see them soon.

Be specific with your child about who will pick them up and what time they will come. For example, “I will be here after lunch,” or “Aunt Chrissy will pick you up after naptime and I will see you at home.” Knowing how their day will end makes it easier to last throughout the day.

Bring a family picture to keep at school. This way your child will have a photo to look at if they need to see you during the day.

There may be tears in the beginning and your child may be upset when you say goodbye, but they will have a great day at school. Say goodbye with love in your heart and a smile on your face. Mornings will end quickly and their love for school will grow.