Transitioning to Preschool: A Smooth Start at BCNS

At BCNS Preschool, we want children and families to feel confident and comfortable before the first official day of school. To support a smooth transition, we provide several opportunities for connection, orientation, and practice. From meeting teachers in your home to practicing drop-off routines, these experiences help children begin the year with a sense of familiarity and belonging, and give parents the information they need to feel ready too. We know that saying goodbye can be hard. Our gradual transition process is designed to minimize separation anxiety and build trust before the first day.

Summer Playdates

Summer provides the perfect time to keep the connections children have made throughout the year strong and thriving, as well as, to foster connections for children and families that are new to BCNS. One wonderful way to do this is through informal summer playdates! During the summer we will host several playdates at BCNS, which are open to all classrooms. The playdates are outside, but the school will be open for families to check out the space and get familiar with classrooms, etc.

In addition, we encourage families to organize their own playdates at local playgrounds. Playdates can be at any time, day and location that works for your family.

Three children and an adult sitting on a patterned rug outdoors, playing with colorful LEGO bricks. There are cars and a chain-link fence in the background.
A woman and a young girl sitting together, reading a book. The woman is wearing a red shirt, and the girl with curly hair is wearing colorful striped leggings and a black shirt. They are sitting on a person's lap, with a cozy living room background.

Home Visits

At BCNS, one of our most meaningful traditions is visiting each child at home before the school year begins. These relaxed visits are about trust, connection, and comfort—not formal preparation. Meeting teachers in a familiar space helps children feel secure and excited for their first days in a new community.

Each 20–30 minute visit gives teachers a window into your child’s world—whether they’re showing a favorite toy, introducing a pet, or chatting at the kitchen table. Parents can share routines, interests, or questions, beginning the family–school partnership that defines BCNS. Typically held in August, these visits offer a gentle, joyful start to the year for every child and family.

Dry-Run Visits

Starting something new can feel big for both children and families, which is why BCNS hosts dry runs before the school year begins. These short practice sessions let families experience the drop-off routine, explore the classroom, and meet teachers in a relaxed setting. Children walk through the process—from signing in with the ProCare app to stepping into their new learning space - so that when the first official day arrives, it already feels familiar and exciting.

Each child also brings a decorated wooden frame from their home visit, which teachers fill with a family photo and keep in the classroom for comfort and connection. Parents benefit too; it’s a chance to learn daily routines, ask questions, and see where their child will spend their days. Together, these visits build a sense of ease and shared rhythm between home and school, setting the tone for a confident, joyful start to the year.

A young girl wearing a chef's hat, a pink shirt with heart patterns, and a blue apron, standing and writing on a clipboard with a pencil in a cozy indoor setting.
Clay craft project on a wooden table, including clay butterfly with buttons and sequins, a clay heart, and clay bead with a metal component inside. A paintbrush and a bag of clay or plaster are also on the table.

Parent Orientation

Before the school year begins, BCNS hosts a Parent Orientation evening to help families feel prepared and connected. The event introduces our philosophy, outlines what to expect throughout the year, and offers a first look at the collaborative spirit that defines our community. Families learn about school values, parent involvement, and class routines through teacher-led sessions, while also getting an introduction to the Reggio Emilia approach that shapes our classrooms.

A follow-up Reggio Emilia training is offered before parent helping begins, giving families a deeper understanding of how the philosophy comes to life. Beyond logistics, orientation is about connection—meeting teachers, other parents, and beginning the relationships that make BCNS such a supportive community.

“We moved in the summer before the school year started. By the time school rolled around, our son felt so comfortable with the school - he had made many friends through camp and play dates, been in his classroom several times, met many staff members, had a home visit with his teacher, and kayaked with a group from school. This is an exceptional experience to feel so welcomed and integrated into a school community before the year even starts!”

Laura & Craig, BCNS Parents

A family of four stands on a rocky shoreline with the ocean and a sailboat in the background. The woman is holding a young girl and the man is holding a young boy; all are smiling and dressed casually.

FAQs: Getting Ready for BCNS

  • Separation anxiety is normal. Our ‘Dry-Run’ visits and Home Visits help build familiarity before school starts. On the first day, our experienced teachers will partner with you to create a quick, confident goodbye ritual.

  • Home visits typically take place in late August or early September, just before the school year begins. Your child’s teacher will reach out to schedule a time that works for your family.

  • We keep it simple! Children typically need a backpack, a change of clothes, and appropriate outdoor gear (boots/raincoat) for our daily nature play. A specific supply list is provided during Parent Orientation.

  • Attend our Summer Playdates to meet future classmates! We also recommend reading books about starting school, practicing your new morning routine, and driving by the school to make the building familiar.

  • No. We support children wherever they are in their development. If your child is still in diapers or learning to use the toilet, our teachers will partner with you to support that process at school.