Kindergaten Set Up for the First Day of School

Kindergarten set up for the first day of school can go all-out or simple.  It's up to you.

My friend Keri has set up a wonderland with an Elmer-the-Elephant-colored carpet, Winnie dolls galore, Raggedy Anne dolls on a rocker, alternative stool seating at the meeting area, Legos for each child to play with at tables as she signs them in, and so much more!  Keep looking!

 Here's another view that includes numbered circles on removable stickies, that will show each child where to stand on line.

Want to go simple?  Cheer it up with ceiling hangings!

My room-in-progress has an arrow at the doorway, leading my newbies to our lucky leprechaun, with an inflatable globe in the distance--all hanging from near-invisible threads.  

Other hangings include anchor charts and picture dictionary pages printed in pastels.  I make my cutouts puffy and 3D by gluing folded tissues inside.

I finish it off with a high-interest book for the kids to read when they first walk in.  This will give me time to greet the parents and take attendance.

Be sure to have name tags ready to go.  This year, mine are a fiesta-vibe oak tag.

Simple and effective. 

Since my parents are bringing their children right into my classroom on the first day, I have posters letting them know when and where to pick up their kids on the first days.

My posters also show parents how they can help their kids organize the school supplies.  Personal supplies like notebooks, folders and pencils stay on their desks.

Communal supplies go in bins in the back of the classroom.  I put a sample of each type in every bin--paper towels, tissues, glue, markers, soap, computer paper, etc.  That way, parents can help sort these--saving me hours of work later!  An industrious child or two sometimes helps to collect and sort.  

It takes about twenty minutes to meet and greet each child.  By then, the classroom is organized and ready to go.  The parents leave--reluctantly--and we begin the day.

If you'd like a complete guide to setting up your kindergarten it's here.

First Days of Kindergarten Teacher's Bundle features step-by-step instructions for setting up a kindergarten classroom, as well as moment-by-moment teacher scripts for the first day of school.  We go through the first week of school--with all the printables, posters, parent letters, and forms you'll need, including an EDITABLE homework kit.  Then I point you in the right direction for the next few weeks of kindergarten.

I'll be thinking of you, and wishing you all the best on your first days of school!