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

Tips on Positive Transitions into Preschool
by Judy Stephens, Owner

Beginning school is an important developmental task for a child and each one responds in his or her own way. It also presents some challenges for parents. It can be difficult especially if this is the child’s first experience. However even returning students after a vacation can experience separation anxiety. The child can feel distressed at leaving the parent in the morning and upset when they leave the teacher at the end of the day. This is because of the child’s difficulty in handling changes, not with leaving one to go to the other. Each child is different in how long it takes to make these adjustments but on the average it takes several weeks. Below are some strategies that help ease the transition into preschool.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Prepare the child for starting preschool by talking about the preschool in a positive way. If the child notices anxiety on part of the parent, they will be unsure and mirror the anxiety the parent is displaying. Remember they can read your body language and tone of voice. Be excited and positive about the upcoming preschool experience. Be an academy award actress if needed.

Play school just like you did when you were a child. Try using stuffed animals or dolls as additional classmates. Sometimes Mom is the teacher and other times the child is allowed to play that role.

Visit the school several times prior to the start date, coming at varying times to experience different parts of the day. Keep your visits short, about one half hour to an hour depending on the age of the child. Leave when the child is having fun not when they’re tired and ready to go. Model preschool behavior and assist your child in beginning to interact with other children in the class.

Go to the library and select books about preschool to read together.

COMFORT ITEMS

Allow your child to bring his favorite blanket or toy to ease the transition. These comfort items will probably no longer be needed once the child has made the adjustment to school. Send along a family photo to post on each classroom’s Family Board.

CALM MORNING

Try to allow enough time in getting ready to attend preschool so the child doesn’t feel rushed. Children react to pressure when the parent is late and tries to hurry the child. Try to be on time as tardiness can make a child feel uncomfortable. Remember how you feel when you walk into a meeting late. Your child is no different.

GOODBYE RITUALS

It is reassuring to have a goodbye routine that happens every school day. Some ideas could be putting the bucket in the classroom and then blowing three kisses or a high five and then a bear hug. Preschoolers need to know what to expect and find comfort in routines.

ONE GOODBYE ONLY

Never be tempted to sneak out as it frightens a child to suddenly look up and realize the parent is gone. A child may feel the stress of separation whenever a parent leaves so leave only once. A child that has to make the transition twice is put under additional stress.

FOURTH DAYITIS

Be prepared if a child loves school and then suddenly doesn’t want to go. He or she has realized that preschool is not a temporary arrangement and the situation has lost the intrigue of newness. This is a normal, predictable reaction on the part of the child. An understanding and reassuring attitude will help the ease the situation.