08/18/2026
The start of school is an exciting time! But it can also come with some separation anxiety for both children and adults as we anticipate the big changes to come.
At Paddington, we are here to help make the transition into school go as smoothly as possible. The time to prepare is now!
đź’™Read stories about starting school, separation or saying goodbye. Check out our complete list on the last slide and some of our staff favorites!
đź’™ Practice saying goodbye. Create a goodbye ritual so your child knows what to expect. This helps your child feel secure and creates some predictability in a new situation. Keep the ritual brief: hug, kiss, I love you and I will be back this afternoon.
đź’™ Keep it positive. Your children will be looking to you for guidance and reassurance. It is very important that your words and body language send the message that you trust the school and teachers and that you believe your child will do well here.
💙 Communicate openly with your child’s teacher. We value your insight because parents know their children best! We want to work together to create a successful year. Please reach out to the teachers if there is anything that might help your child if they are feeling sad.
💙Give yourself ample time during the first few days. Make sure you don’t have an important commitment right after dropping off. If you are feeling rushed or stressed, your child will feel this, and it will only make the transition more challenging.
We are so excited for the amazing year we’re about to start!
