August 3, 2026
There is a special kind of anticipation that fills a home in the weeks before a child starts preschool. Perhaps you have already imagined the tiny backpack by the door, the wave goodbye, and the flood of feelings that come with it — excitement, pride, and maybe a knot of worry too. If you have felt all of these at once, you are in good company. Starting preschool is a milestone not just for your child, but for your whole family.
At Runningbrook International Preschool, we have welcomed over 1,200 families from more than 35 countries since 1993, and we have learned that a thoughtful transition makes all the difference. Our child-centered approach means we begin building trust long before the first official day — through tours, walk-throughs, and playdates designed to help your child feel at home. This article will walk you through what to expect and, most importantly, what you can do to prepare your child with confidence and warmth.
Young children thrive on predictability and secure relationships. Research in early childhood development consistently points to the importance of secure attachment: when children feel emotionally safe, they are freer to explore, learn, and connect. The pioneering work of researchers like John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth on attachment theory shows that a child who trusts that their needs will be met approaches new environments with more curiosity and resilience.
A tour, walk-through, and playdate are not just administrative steps — they are bridges of trust. They let your child gradually map out a new world: where the bathroom is, what the play spaces look like, who the friendly faces will be. Familiarity turns the unknown into the known, and the known feels safe.
As you begin the transition, it helps to remember that children develop at their own pace and respond to new experiences in their own way. There is no single "right" reaction. Depending on your child's age and temperament, you might notice:
Across our age groups — from Growing Steps (6 months to 2 years) to Playgroup, Kid's Club, and Pre-Kinder — these responses look a little different. A one-year-old may express feelings through their body and routines, while a five-year-old might ask direct questions or role-play "going to school" with their toys. All of it is valuable communication.
The good news is that you, as the person who knows your child best, already hold the most powerful tools for a smooth transition. Here are strategies you can start using right away.
When you visit, treat it as an adventure rather than an inspection. Let your child touch, explore, and move at their own rhythm. Point out the things that will matter to them: "Look, this is where you'll hang your backpack," or "Here's the garden where you can run." The more concrete and sensory the experience, the more it will stick.
A playdate at the preschool lets your child experience the space as a place of joy, not obligation. Play is how young children make sense of the world — it is the heart of our play-based learning philosophy. When your child laughs in a new play space or builds a tower alongside a future classmate, they are quietly deciding: "This is a good place to be."
Children process change through narrative. In the weeks before starting, talk about preschool in simple, positive terms. You might:
That last point — the promise of return — is one of the most reassuring things you can offer.
If your child is not used to being apart from you, gentle practice helps. Short separations with a trusted grandparent, family friend, or caregiver teach an important lesson: goodbyes are followed by joyful reunions. Keep your farewells warm, brief, and confident. Long, anxious goodbyes tend to increase worry rather than soothe it.
Children are remarkably attuned to our emotions. If you are calm and positive about the transition, your child is more likely to feel that way too. It is perfectly okay to feel emotional — just try to save the biggest feelings for after the goodbye. Trust that a warm team of dedicated educators is ready to care for your child in a small-group, multicultural environment built around their needs.
Everything we do — from small group sizes to our extensive indoor and outdoor play spaces — is designed around the child. Our bilingual, multicultural environment means your child will be surrounded by rich language and diverse perspectives from their very first day. But we know that none of this matters unless a child feels safe and seen first.
That is why the tour, walk-through, and playdate are woven into our transition process. They reflect our belief that early childhood development flourishes when trust comes before tasks, and connection comes before curriculum. When children feel emotionally secure, the self-esteem, social confidence, creativity, independence, and curiosity we hope to nurture can truly take root.
As you prepare for this milestone, please remember: you are the expert on your own child. No book, article, or educator knows your little one the way you do. Trust your instincts, follow your child's cues, and give both of you permission to move through this transition at a pace that feels right.
Some children settle in within days; others take a few weeks. Both paths are completely normal and neither predicts how much your child will love school in the long run. What matters most is the steady, loving presence you provide and the partnership we build together.
We cannot wait to welcome your family. When you walk through our doors for that first tour or playdate, know that you are not just visiting a preschool — you are the beginning of a community that has been growing, learning, and playing together for over three decades.