Once upon a time on 12th February, 2012, a little blonde haired, blue eyed boy set out on his first day (10am-2pm) to Ladybirds day care. He was excited and did not really understand what going there meant. His Mummy was secretly sad that he would be setting off into the big wide world by himself, but knew he needed the extra stimulation and social skills that attending this nursery would give her first born. He was 2 years and 7 months old and enjoyed that first session. His Mummy spent the journey driving him there that morning trying not to cry! After she dropped him off seeing him there happy and smiling, she had a little cry to herself in the carpark!
He would only attend for 4 hours a week to begin with, and after that first session on the 12th February, he spent the next 6 weeks not wanting to go and screaming for his mummy not to leave him there, while the staff had to take him form her so she could leave and go home. His Mummy had never felt such guilt over trying to do the best thing for him. It was awful.
He soon settled in of course after those initial 6 weeks, and thrived and made friends and enjoyed going each week. When he first started he was not easily understood by the staff and other children as he had only started talking in the September previously and would shy away from joining in with group discussions. Again, this changed as his confidence grew and his talking ability improved and he quickly made friends and took part in group discussions loudly and confidentally.
By September, 2012 he was attending twice a week for 12 hours in total and it became his pre school. He has loved going and his Mummy has enjoyed hearing his tales of what he has done each time he is there, and seeing all the drawings and paintings and pieces of paper with his name or her name written all over them. He talks about his friends and the grown ups and it is evident he has had fun and enjoyed learning new things.
Today, 22nd July 2013 was Burton's final day at Ladybirds. While his Mummy was a little upset that the day had come for him to finish, signalling the start of his school days edging ever closer, Burton took it on the chin and was not phased in the slightest!
He has come such a long way since his first day last February.
Here is to your happy ever after Burton.
Burton,
Mummy is so proud of you and is amazed by how much you have grown and changed since your first day at Ladybirds. The staff told me today that I should be proud of you because you are a lovely little boy who is lively and chatty, helpful and kind and a pleasure to have there. I was amazed and had to check they were talking about you!! (just my little joke!) I am very, very proud of you. Thank you for making me so.
I promise to make your last 7 weeks of freedom before the school term starts to be as much fun as I can possibly make it, because I don't want to waste a single moment. Afterall, I won't get this time with you back again.
My pre schooler no more.
My school boy to be
My big boy.
My Burton
I love you so much
xxx