Reese started Kindy (preschool)!! Kindergarten (kindy) is the equivalent to preschool here. Kindy is for ages 3-5. Once you turn 5, you go directly to year 0 at the Primary (elementary) school, no matter what time of year you have your birthday. Then, when the next school year begins in January, you go to Year 1 (equivalent to kindergarten in the States). It's kinda confusing and we're getting the hang of the school lingo and the way things work here.
We weren't planning on putting her in preschool here because we thought it would be expensive and we didn't know how the adjustment phase would go for all of us. But, 20 hours of kindergarten is funded in New Zealand by the council and Reese has done really well so we felt like it was best to put her in. Plus, she'll be starting full day school next January so we have to get her adjusted to going to school before we throw her to the dogs! We put her on a waiting list and she officially started this week! She has been counting down the days and has been so excited to be a big kid! She picked out her outfit, helped pack her lunch & backpack, and was ready to go. She goes 3 days a week, 2 full days and 1 half day. Her school is a bit different and very relaxed. They have a rolling morning tea (snack time) where the kids decide when they're hungry and eat their snack whenever they want. They also have free play most of the time. The teachers believe in kid guided learning and let the students do what they want, in a structured and organized setting. It's interesting to see how things are different here...
It's hard seeing your baby grow up, but I'm sure it will be good for the both of us. Her school is on the same campus as her brothers so it's very convenient. We sure love our little Reesie!
We weren't planning on putting her in preschool here because we thought it would be expensive and we didn't know how the adjustment phase would go for all of us. But, 20 hours of kindergarten is funded in New Zealand by the council and Reese has done really well so we felt like it was best to put her in. Plus, she'll be starting full day school next January so we have to get her adjusted to going to school before we throw her to the dogs! We put her on a waiting list and she officially started this week! She has been counting down the days and has been so excited to be a big kid! She picked out her outfit, helped pack her lunch & backpack, and was ready to go. She goes 3 days a week, 2 full days and 1 half day. Her school is a bit different and very relaxed. They have a rolling morning tea (snack time) where the kids decide when they're hungry and eat their snack whenever they want. They also have free play most of the time. The teachers believe in kid guided learning and let the students do what they want, in a structured and organized setting. It's interesting to see how things are different here...
It's hard seeing your baby grow up, but I'm sure it will be good for the both of us. Her school is on the same campus as her brothers so it's very convenient. We sure love our little Reesie!
She looks so teeny behind her big brothers!! What a cutie.
ReplyDeleteOoohhhh, what will you do with all your free ALONE time?!?!
ReplyDeletePlaying is the best way to learn as a kid! Glad she's enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a big girl! And I'm sure a few days alone to get stuff done isn't so bad. :)
ReplyDelete