A Walk Through The First Day of Kindergarten

A Walk Through the First Day of Kindergarten: What Families Can Expect 

Whether your child has attended preschool, childcare, or participated in FWPS Kindergarten Jumpstart, the first official day of kindergarten is a meaningful milestone. It’s an exciting time filled with possibility — new friendships, new routines, and new discoveries. But for many families, it can also come with questions and nervous energy about what to expect. 

At Federal Way Public Schools, we recognize how big this transition can feel — and we’re here to help every step of the way. That’s why we’ve designed the first six days of kindergarten to focus on connection, routine, and support. Each day is intentionally structured so your child can gradually adjust to their new learning environment. 

During the first six school days: 

• Morning sessions are dedicated to classroom instruction and learning routines. 

• Afternoons are reserved for Kindergarten Connection Conferences. These one-on-one meetings give you the opportunity to talk directly with your child’s teacher about your child’s personality, strengths, needs, and anything else you want them to know. 

This thoughtful approach eases students into a full school day and gives families valuable time with educators — setting the stage for a strong school-home relationship. 

So, what exactly happens during the first day of kindergarten? Read on for a detailed walk-through, including tips and insights for a smooth start. 

Arrival: How Your Child Gets to School 

The morning drop-off is often the part of the day that families feel most nervous about — and that’s totally normal! Whether it’s your child’s first time riding the bus or the first time saying goodbye at the school gates, we’re here to make sure your kindergartener feels safe and supported from the moment they arrive on campus.

Every school has a clear and caring plan to welcome kindergarteners, no matter how they get to school. Staff are stationed throughout campus to greet students, answer questions, and help each child find their way to the right classroom waiting area.

Here’s what that looks like for each arrival scenario:

• By School Bus: Kindergarten scholars who ride the bus will be greeted by school staff and escorted to their class outdoor waiting area 

• By Car (Car Loop): If you drop your child off by car, staff and student helpers will assist kindergarteners out of the car and escort them to their designated outdoor waiting area. Some schools may provide brightly colored car tags for families to place on dashboards for easy identification during drop-off and pick-up. 

• By Walking: If you walk your child to school or park and walk them onto campus, you’ll accompany your child to their classroom’s outdoor waiting area. School staff will be on-site to welcome and direct families. 

• From Before-School Childcare: If your child attends before-care through on-site Right At School childcare program, staff will escort kindergarten students to the classroom line approximately 10 minutes before school begins. 

When the morning bell rings, your child’s teachers will escort the line to the classroom. 

💡 Tip: Traffic can be heavier on the first day of school, with more parents opting to drive their child to school than normal. If you plan to drop your child off, give yourself extra time by arriving early so you have time to wait with your child in the waiting area, take photos, and wish them the best on their first day of school! 

Classroom Transition: Starting the Day 

Getting Comfortable in the Classroom

After saying goodbye outside, students head into their new classroom — and for many, this may be their first time in a school setting. Teachers take extra care during this transition to help each child feel welcomed, calm, and ready for the day ahead.

The first few minutes in the classroom are all about helping students settle in and learn the basic routines that will help them feel confident and independent. This includes organizing their belongings, learning where to sit, and understanding how the day will flow. Teachers guide students every step of the way, turning new routines into familiar habits through patient instruction and encouragement.

When students arrive in their classroom, teachers will help your child: 

• Remove and hang their backpack on cubby hooks 

• Put on a nametag or lanyard 

• Find their assigned seat or direct them to the circle time area  

Each kindergarten classroom has a daily schedule designed specifically for young learners. While schedules may vary slightly from school to school, your child will likely experience the same activities.

Welcome and Circle Time for Connection

Bathroom Breaks 

Kindergarten teachers regularly remind students to listen to their bodies and use the bathroom, especially during transitions between activities or before recess and lunch. Still, we recommend packing an extra set of clothes in your child’s backpack. 

Note: Teachers are not permitted to assist students in the bathroom unless your child has an Individualized Health Plan (IHP) on file. Summer is a great time to practice zippers, buttons, and bathroom routines to help your child feel confident and independent. 

Recess: Releasing the Wiggles 

Before play begins, recess staff will take roll and review safe play guidelines. Then, scholars are released for fun. Each school has a big toy and a little toy appropriate for each age, and recess patrol staff provide supervision to support safe and responsible play.  

💡 Tip: Label coats, hats, and other items. The playground is a common place for things to be left behind — but don’t worry, each school has a Lost and Found where missing items can be recovered. 

Snack 

There is a lot of new information to absorb in kindergarten! Beyond lunch, an added mid-morning or afternoon snack is helpful to power through the rest of the school day. Teachers may request snack donations throughout the school year to ensure all students have access. 

Classroom Exploration and Activities 

On the first day, kindergarten students will get their first dose of learning through direct instruction and experiential, and play-based learning. 

• Whole Group Instruction: Combined Learning 
  On the first day of school, there won’t be intense instruction, but teachers will likely work to get a baseline of where students are academically regarding colors, shapes, letters, and more. Students will participate in coloring and tracing lines, threading beads, and other activities that showcase fine motor skills. 

• Small Group Exploration: Individual Choice 
  Just as in preschool, kindergarten students require stimulation from playing. Most classrooms have play stations, where children can role-play careers, build blocks, explore science, and more. Kindergarten students will choose areas to explore, and while playing, practice important skills like sharing, communication, and problem-solving. 

📝 Note: During a typical week, students will also enjoy music, physical education, and trips to the school library!

Lunch Time: Fueling Up for Learning  

Kindergarten students will line up in their classroom to be escorted to the cafeteria by their teachers. Students who bring lunch from home eat alongside classmates, while those getting school lunch go through the cafeteria line. 

• Allergens: Schools separate home lunch and school lunch students to help protect students with allergies.
• Meal PINs: Staff are available to help students enter their meal PINs — and yes, most students pick up on this quickly! 

Staff also assist with opening packages and containers and ensuring a smooth cleanup.  

During the first six days of kindergarten, students will be dismissed from school after lunch. However, on a normal school day, teachers pick up students from the cafeteria and escort them back to class to resume school activities.

Departure: The End of the Day 

Just like arrival, dismissal is carefully planned to ensure your child ends their day feeling safe and supported. Whether your kindergartener is heading home by bus, car, on foot, or to after-school care, our staff are there to help guide them every step of the way.

Teachers and support staff use clear procedures and extra safety measures — such as ID bracelets and family car tags — to make sure every student gets where they need to go. The end of the day is also a time when students start building independence by learning routines that they’ll follow all year long.

Here’s how dismissal works for each scenario:

• School Bus: Kindergarten scholars who ride the bus will be escorted to their assigned bus line. ID bracelets, worn the first week of school, help staff and bus drivers ensure each student boards the correct bus.
  Remember, an adult must be present at the bus stop to meet your child. 

• Car (Car Loop): Teachers will escort students to the outdoor classroom waiting area, from where staff will help identify and load students into vehicles.
  Note: Some schools provide brightly colored cards for kindergarten families to place on their dashboards for easy identification. 

• Walking Pickup: Families walking to pick up their child will meet them at the same outdoor waiting area as in the morning. 

• After-Care: If your child attends after care at the school, a school staff member will escort your child to Right At School. 

Remember, during the first six days of kindergarten, you will experience much less traffic at dismissal than normal.

Afternoon: Kindergarten Conferences 

Don’t forget — the first six school days include afternoon Kindergarten Connection Conferences. You’ll schedule a time to meet your child’s teacher, ask questions, and share more about your child’s personality, interests, needs, or anything else that will help the teacher support their success. 

These conferences are a great opportunity to build relationships, ease into the school year, and ensure your child feels seen and supported from day one.

Launch for Success 

We know the first day of kindergarten is a big step for your child and for you. Our teachers and staff are dedicated to creating welcoming classrooms where every child feels safe, supported, and excited to learn. From the bus stop to the classroom and everything in between, your kindergartener will be cared for by a team who understands how to make their first school experience a great one.  

We look forward to partnering with you for a successful school year! 

📚 Visit www.fwps.org/backtoschool to explore more resources, review the school year calendar, and prepare for your child’s first big day.