" My first day at kindergarten "

Often the child is not yet born and parents already have to think about how to look after their offspring. As wonderful as the time in which you can look after your baby exclusively is, unfortunately it doesn't last forever. This is why many parents ask themselves early on which kindergarten is the best choice for their child.

Many parents are also concerned with the question of the right time. As a rule, experts say that a toddler should attend kindergarten from the age of three at the latest. Contact with peers is extremely important for healthy development. Through play, children learn the necessary foundations for their later school career.

Your child learns important foundations for life through play

How do I find the right daycare center?

A number of factors have a decisive influence on the decision. First of all, of course, you need to look at which kindergarten is easily accessible. The facility should be as close as possible. In more remote regions, however, the choice is usually limited.

Opening hours also play an important role for working parents. You should therefore also look at this:

• What time in the morning can I drop the kindergarten child off?
• When can they be picked up again at the latest?

Your child often spends the whole day at the daycare center or kindergarten. Meals should not be forgotten. You may give your child something to take with them in their lunch box. However, the facilities are responsible for the hot meals in the rain. It has to be varied and healthy!

It is important to take a look at the daycare center's educational offerings

As the little sunshine is not only supervised, but should also learn something, it makes sense to take a look at the educational offers of the daycare center or kindergarten. Some facilities differ significantly in this respect. In order to get a meaningful impression, it is worth visiting the daycare center in person - this is particularly important. This allows you to find out from the outset how closely the parents are really worked with. This has decisive advantages, as it makes it easier to coordinate the individual needs of the children.

Checklist for choosing the right facility:

• Proximity to place of residence
• Opening hours
• Size and group size of daycare center or kindergarten
• Educational offers for the child
• Catering
• Cooperation with the parents

A little tip here: If you find it difficult to decide, ask friends and acquaintances where they have placed their children. Especially in the digital age, personal opinions from trustworthy people are irreplaceable.

If children of acquaintances and friends are at the chosen kindergarten, your children will also be able to make friends quickly

What stays at the kindergarten permanently? - A packing list for the kindergarten

Once you have made your choice and the first day at the nursery is approaching, make sure you have all the necessary items ready. Many parents are initially surprised at what their little one actually needs to have at the facility. A kindergarten checklist is therefore highly recommended so that you don't end up forgetting anything.

Hygiene items checklist:

• Diapers
• Wet wipes
• comb
• Handkerchiefs
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste

Change of clothes checklist:

• a complete set of changing clothes (from undershirt to pants)
• in summer, make sure you have a set of swimwear ready
• In winter, don't forget a snowsuit and ski pants
• Rain gear for the whole year
• Sleeping clothes and bedding for all-day children
• Sportswear (one short and one long)

Label the items of clothing with your child's name or a unique abbreviation so that there is no confusion. Also check regularly whether or not the items still fit in the kindergarten.

Most facilities offer a separate compartment to store a change of clothes safely and cleanly. Sometimes you should still put the clothes in a separate bag. So that your little one can carry their kindergarten backpack or kindergarten bag bag, you can label it with a small patch or tag. Don't put the packing list too far away. Sometimes everything starts faster than planned.

What else do I need to take with me every day?

Apart from the many things that are permanently on site, there are of course also things that you give your child every day. You should therefore draw up a packing list for the permanent items and a kindergarten checklist for the daily necessities. This way you won't lose track of things during the early days.

Your little sunshine will of course need a kindergarten bag or a kindergarten backpack so that he can carry all the little essentials with him. This will then hold all the items, such as lunch box and water bottle or cuddly toy and comforter their place.

Find out in advance if a full breakfast is to be provided. Sometimes this is provided by the daycare center.

The cuddly toy is not only important for the sleeping children. Especially during the familiarization phase, it or the beloved cuddly blanket becomes an important attachment figure in a figurative sense. Your child then has something with them that is familiar and takes away some of their insecurity.

Checklist for every day

• Bag or rucksack
• Lunchbox
• Drink
• Cuddly toy

Tears in kindergarten - what can I do?

All beginnings are difficult. While a checklist for kindergarten is quickly completed, the transition from the well-protected nest to kindergarten sometimes proves to be a little more difficult.

Some children need a certain amount of time to settle in at kindergarten

Don't drive yourself crazy. It is often the parents who suffer more than the child. After all, it's not as if the child has to go to an institution all day from one day to the next. Most kindergartens offer a so-called acclimatization phase. During this time, your child only attends for a few hours and gradually gets to know the new environment better.

Even if crocodile tears flow from time to time when saying goodbye. Show your child how much you love them and tell them that you will pick them up again very soon.

Experience has shown that the child calms down much more quickly if the goodbye is short and sweet. As soon as the other children are spotted, curiosity will win out anyway.

Kindergarten equipment as a gift

All the great things for kindergarten are also a wonderful gift idea for children. gift idea for children. After all, a completely new and very exciting stage in your child's life begins when they go to nursery school or kindergarten. A set of a nursery bag or nursery backpack with all the necessary utensils will make children's eyes light up and provide the right amount of anticipation. Add a special touch to gifts such as the water bottle and lunch box by having them personalized with your child's name.