Colby Village Preschool

🌞 Summer Skill Spotlight: Parents, This One’s for You! ❤️

Your child isn't the only one starting preschool.
You're starting something new, too.
We are here to support you every step of the way.

As you prepare your little one for their first day, remember to take a little time to prepare yourself as well. It is completely normal to feel excited, nervous, emotional… or all three at once!

Here are a few things that can help make those first mornings a little smoother:

Stay connected
Be sure to read all emails from Colby Village Preschool (check your junk/spam folder). Our emails contain important information to help you and your child get ready.

Have your paperwork ready
Make sure we have all required documentation and that your information is accurate and up to date. This helps prevent delays and allows drop-off to go as smoothly as possible.

Give yourself extra time
The first few mornings may take a little longer than usual. Having everything ready the night before and allowing extra time at drop can make a big difference.

Be confident during drop-off
Spend a few minutes helping your child settle into the classroom. Before you leave let them know that they are staying, you are going to leave for a little while, and you will be back before lunch.

A confident and predictable goodbye can help children feel secure. Please don't sneak away—even when it feels tempting!

Children pick up on our emotions, so try your best to keep those first few moments calm and reassuring. Then, once you step outside the front door… you can grab your tissues.

Ask questions!
If you're wondering something, please reach out. We want you to feel comfortable, informed, and confident as your child begins this new chapter.

Most importantly, trust the process.
Your child will be surrounded by caring, attentive educators who will support them through those first big feelings, new routines, new friendships, and new experiences.

Some children settle quickly. Others need a little more time.

We are truly honoured to be part of such a special milestone in your child's life, and we can't wait to welcome our new and returning families back to CVP!

You've got this, parents. And we've got you.

*Next week's Summer Skill Spotlight will be all about getting your little one ready—and excited—for their first day of preschool!*

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD

We have had a full-time preschool space open up for September — and opportunities like this don't come along often!

If you have a little one between 30 months and 5 years old and you've been looking for a part-time preschool program, this could be your chance!

Monday–Friday
8:30 AM–12:00 PM
Play-based learning
Daily outdoor play
Caring, experienced educators

This space is available for September 2026 and we expect it to go quickly!

👉 Interested in joining in the fun and learning? Send us a message or reach out via email to [email protected]

🌞 Summer Skill Spotlight: Messy Play is Meaningful Play!

One of the best things you can give your child is the freedom to get a little messy!

Whether they're digging in the dirt, painting a masterpiece, splashing in puddles, or making mud pies, messy play is about so much more than having fun.

It helps children develop:
- Fine motor skills
- Creativity and imagination
- Curiosity and problem-solving
- Confidence to try new things
- A connection with nature and the world around them

At Colby Village Preschool, we love to explore! You'll often find us painting, creating, digging, planting, mixing, building, and discovering. Sometimes that means hands get dirty... and that's okay!

Easy Messy Play Ideas
- Make mud pies in the backyard.
- Paint with water on the driveway or fence.
- Wash toy cars, dolls, or outdoor toys in a bucket of soapy water.
- Collect leaves, sticks, rocks, and flowers to create nature art.
- Jump in puddles after a summer rain.
- Help mix, stir, and bake in the kitchen.

Remember, messes can always be cleaned up—but the memories and learning last a lifetime.

🌞 Summer Skill Spotlight "I Can Clean Up!"

Cleaning up is so much more than putting toys away—it's a skill that helps children build responsibility, independence, and teamwork.

At Colby Village Preschool, up to 17 children share one classroom every day. They play hard, explore, create, and imagine together! Learning to tidy up as a group helps us keep our classroom safe, organized, and ready for the next adventure.

Practice at Home

Help your child learn to:
- Put toys away when they're finished playing.
- Push in their chair after meals or activities.
- Help clean up after crafts, puzzles, or games.

Remember—children don't need to clean up an entire room by themselves. Small jobs help build confidence!

How We Encourage Clean Up at Preschool

We make tidying up fun and achievable by using strategies like:

Singing clean-up songs.
- Turning it into a game! "Can everyone find five things to put away?"
- Celebrating teamwork instead of perfection.
- Using encouraging language that gives children a clear, manageable task.
- Breaking clean up into parts "first this area than this area"

Some Tips and Tricks to try at home
Instead of saying:
"Go clean up everything you were playing with."

We might say:
"Can you show me how to put the train set away?"

Or instead of:
"It's time to clean up."

We might say:
"Let's clean up together so we're ready for our next activity!"

Children are much more successful when they know exactly what they're being asked to do.

Every little helper makes a big difference. Working together helps children develop confidence, responsibility, and pride in caring for their environment.

Happy Friday and last day of July !!
Summer is flying by, and September will be here before we know it.

If you are a new or returning family for our 2026/2027 School Year, please check your email for everything you need to know before September 3rd!!

Send a message to learn more

🌞 Summer Skill Spotlight
🫧 Hand Washing

One of the most important life skills children practice at preschool is proper hand washing. It helps keep everyone healthy while encouraging independence and self-care.

At Colby Village Preschool, hand washing is part of our daily routine. Children wash their hands:
🧻 After using the washroom (including diaper changes)
🥨 Before snack
🍎 After snack
🎨 After messy activities
👐 And anytime hands need a good clean!

While we encourage children to become more independent, our educators are always there to guide, encourage, and support each child through the hand-washing routine. Learning takes time, and we're here to help every step of the way.

Practicing at Home
Helping children become familiar with a simple routine makes hand washing easier and more enjoyable and part of their daily routine.

Remember—it's not about being perfect. Every time children practice, they're building skills, healthy habits and confidence.

🌞 Summer Skill Spotlight: Shoes That Support Success! 👟

One of the easiest ways to help your child prepare for preschool is by choosing shoes that allow them to be safe, comfortable, and as independent as possible.

At Colby Village Preschool, we spend lots of time outdoors exploring our playground and community. Our playground is covered with pea gravel, which provides great opportunities for play but can be uncomfortable when children wear open-toed shoes.

We encourage children to wear:
✅ Closed-toe sneakers
✅ Shoes with Velcro straps or easy-to-use fasteners
✅ Flexible soles that allow children to run, climb, jump, and play comfortably

We do not recommend:

❌ Crocs, Flip flops, Sandals
These types of shoes often allow pea gravel to get inside, which can hurt little feet and interrupt play while children stop to empty their shoes. They can also be more difficult to run and climb safely in.

Practice at Home This Summer

Helping children learn to put on their own shoes builds confidence and independence!

Here are a few fun ways to practice:

Create a Shoe Station
Keep shoes in the same place every day so children learn where to find and return them.

Teach "Left" and "Right"
Place half of a sticker inside each shoe. When the shoes are placed together correctly, the sticker makes a complete picture!

Practice Sitting Down
Encourage your child to sit while putting shoes on instead of balancing on one foot.

Open Wide
Show children how to pull the tongue and Velcro straps open as wide as possible before sliding their foot in.

Make it Part of the Routine
Practice every day—leave yourself lots of time before going out to allow them to put their own shoes on! The more opportunities they have, the more confident they'll become.

❤️ Remember: Independence doesn't happen overnight. It grows one small success at a time!

Our July Newsletter is Here!

If your child is registered for September 2026, please check your email (including your junk/spam folder) to make sure you've received a copy of our July Newsletter.

Email is our main form of communication, so please keep an eye on your inbox this summer to stay up to date with important information, reminders, and upcoming events.

September 2026 is now full. If you would like to be added to our waitlist, please email us at [email protected].

We look forward to another wonderful year together!

Send a message to learn more

🌟 **Summer Skill Spotlight: Practicing Zippers!** 🌟

Over the summer, we'll be sharing simple tips to help your little learner build confidence and independence!

This week's skill: Learning to zip up coats, rain suits, and snow suits.

Zippers can be surprisingly challenging for little hands! They require coordination, finger strength, patience, and lots of practice. The good news is that with a little encouragement and a few simple tricks, children can make great progress.

Here are a few ways you can help:

**Practice when you're not in a rush.** Taking the pressure off allows children to focus on learning rather than feeling frustrated.

**Start with the zipper already connected.** Let your child practice pulling the zipper up before learning how to line up and connect the two sides.

**Add a zipper pull.** A ribbon, key ring, or silicone zipper pull gives little fingers a larger grip and makes pulling much easier.

**Teach the "pinch and pull."** Encourage your child to hold the bottom of the zipper with one hand while slowly pulling up with the other.

**Keep zippers moving smoothly.** If a zipper is sticking or catching (especially on one-piece rain suits), gently rub a dry bar of soap, a little candle wax, or a zipper lubricant along the zipper teeth. This can help it glide more easily. Be sure to wipe away any excess before your child wears it.

Remember, every child learns at their own pace. Celebrate the small successes—they all add up! ❤️

What independence skill would you like us to feature next? Let us know in the comments! 👇

As another incredible preschool year comes to a close, our hearts are full.

This year was filled with laughter, curiosity, milestones, messy masterpieces, big imaginations, and so many moments that reminded us just how magical early childhood can be. But more than anything, this year was about new friendships.

Watching children meet as strangers and leave as friends has been one of our greatest joys. The connections they have built, the kindness they have shown one another, and the memories they have created together are gifts that will stay with them for years to come.

To our amazing families—thank you for trusting us with your most precious little children. Your support, encouragement, and partnership mean more than you know.

To our incredible team—thank you for bringing your passion, patience, creativity, and love to Colby Village Preschool every single day. You are the heart of everything we do.

As we close the doors for the summer, we are filled with gratitude for an unforgettable year and so much excitement for what lies ahead.

Have a safe, fun-filled summer making new memories, exploring, laughing, and enjoying every moment together.

See you in September! ❤️