Getting used to primary school.

What are wendagen?

Wendagen are days before the first official school day when your child can visit the school. On these days, your child can get used to the school rhythm, the school building, teachers, and classmates. As a parent, you are usually not present.

How often and when are the wendagen?

Your child can start getting used to school from two months before the fourth birthday. There are at most five wendagen. The agreements about these days differ per school. Usually, the school makes some arrangements with you as a parent. For example, first two hours, then a whole school day. Ask the school if and when your child can come to wendagen and how these days look.

Cooperation with childcare

Some schools work together with childcare organizations. Your child can visit school on days when they go to childcare. This is often the case if childcare is in the same building as the school. Often there is also a warm transfer: the information about your child from childcare goes to the school. This only happens with your permission.

Tips for the move to primary school

How do you help your child with moving to group 1? Here are some tips:

• Talk to your child about school. Read a book about going to school and explain what school will be like. Ask specific questions after the school day, like: what did you play with today? What did you like best today? And give compliments to your child.
• Work on independence. Practice dressing, going to the toilet, and let your child finish something before starting something new. Buy needed items and let your child practice with them. For example, opening and closing the school bag and lunch box.
• Dress your child in easy clothes. This helps your child go to the toilet alone and is handy for gym class. Your child gains confidence by doing things on their own.
• Say goodbye every day in the same way. See what fits your child. At first, go together to a play corner in the classroom and play a little. Or keep the goodbye short: give a hug, kiss, and wave at the window.
• Does your child find it hard to be away from you? Then it can help to bring a favorite toy or soft toy to school. Check with the school if this is allowed.
• Curious how your child is doing? Ask the teacher what went well and what was harder. Maybe you can help your child at home to make it easier.
• Make sure there is a calm home environment. Especially at first, children need to get used to the busy daily schedule. If they can rest at home, they can face the next day again.
• Do not put too much pressure on your child.

Is the move to primary school too much? Your child only has compulsory education from age 5. So you can sometimes keep your child at home in the afternoon to rest, in agreement with the school.