What equipment to provide kids for kindergarten - Germany

Hi,

My little one starts kindergarten in a week or so. I have asked for a list of equipment etc and not received much back in reply. Obviously I need to get things sorted out. Can anyone advise what sort of routine they have and what equipment they might need, find useful.

Also I know they have a no sweets or biscuits rule which is fine but any ideas for what would be appropriate for lunch boxes snacks etc would be very helpful. We try to eat healthily anyway it's just I'm not familiar with how much to pack etc and guess I am lacking inspiration!

Is there anything your kids love that's particularly quick and easy?

Please help!

Wys...

Hi Wisywig, your child most likely needs a small bag or backpack, rubber boots, slippers for indoor use (Hausschuhe), waterproof pants (Matschhosen) and a raincoat. Most kindergartens provide lunch but your child usually has to bring his own breakfast. My children like to take peanut butter and vegemite sandwiches, grapes and apples, small cherry tomatoes, cucumber sticks and bell peppers in different colours. Hope I could help you a little bit.

I would cut an apple or carrots or grapes, cucumbers, whatever she likes and put them in a small tupperware container (make sure the kid can open it alone). And yes, rubber boots, slippers (Hausschuhe) and some sort of small backpack.

At our kindergarten, in addition to what's already been listed above, we needed to bring a paint shirt or a kittel for them to paint in, a cloth serviette and a little hand towel ( both to be taken home every Friday and a replaced every Monday morning).

Thanks for all your help. I'm off shopping now!

Just found out that they have breakfast provided (cornflakes with milk) but lunch only two days. Rest is packed lunch and they have a rota for cleaning, milk and laundry. Is this normal?

anymore lunch box ideas?

Neat little trick:

When you cut up an apple like this, simply use a rubber band to hold it together and it won't turn brown.

There is an interesting article with lunch box ideas in the Feb 2009 issue of Littlies (NZ parenting magazine).

My children have always enjoyed the small Babybel cheese portions in their lunchboxes. I think its best to pack things they can manage to open and eat easily. My son struggled to peel a banana by himself until I made a shallow cut with a knife, deep enough to start peeling but not into the banana itself. You will soon know if you are packing the right amount when you see how much has been eaten.

The other thing kids need in Kindergarten is a change of clothes in case they get wet washing their hands or don't reach the toilet in time. Choose clothes your child can easily put on himself. If you write the child's name in the waterproofs show the child where you are writing it so he can be sure he has his the right one.

A lot of Kindergartens have a policy of teeth cleaning after breakfast so you may have to get a toothbrush and toothpaste for Kindergarten and remember to replace these as often as you do at home.

Sometimes you get all the information about what is needed at the first parents evening.

As far as packing lunches goes, if you're ever in a creative mood, try preparing a Japanese-style Bento Box. They're cute, normally full of easy-to-grab foods that are perfect for little fingers and kids normally love them.

That is an awesome idea, BonnBonn; I'm going to use it in my daughter's lunches. I got one of these slicer/corers at IKEA here in the Twin Cities, in case anyone is looking.