Blog
The school preparation year serves as a bridge between kindergarten and school. It eases the transition for children who are no longer toddlers but not yet big kids, catering to their needs while also presenting them with challenges.
writer: Hajnalka Fruttus - mentortanár / óvodapedagógus
Transitioning to school is an exciting yet often challenging period for children and their parents. Questions like "Are we ready for school? Wouldn't it be better to stay in kindergarten another year?" frequently arise before enrollment. At BPS, we place children at the center of our focus, aiming to provide the best education tailored to each child's maturity and knowledge. Several years ago, we started exploring ways to facilitate a smoother transition from kindergarten to school. This led to the development of a preparatory system for school readiness, known as the "zero year."
It eases the transition for children who are no longer toddlers but not yet big kids, catering to their needs while also presenting them with challenges. This preparatory year is particularly beneficial for older preschoolers who have outgrown the confines of kindergarten but still require time to adjust to the school environment, its stricter routines, and learning to navigate situations independently. In the zero year, we begin to instill school-related skills within a playful and open kindergarten atmosphere.
The school preparation year program focuses on areas such as fine motor skills, physical activity, and emotional intelligence.
We emphasize the importance of children being able to solve tasks on their own. Alongside structured activities, preparatory students also enjoy playful English lessons and participate in the mentor program characteristic of BPS, which is based on individual goals.
We emphasize the importance of children being able to solve tasks on their own. Alongside structured activities, preparatory students also enjoy playful English lessons and participate in the mentor program characteristic of BPS, which is based on individual goals. They are mature enough to start setting their own goals, a process that should be encouraged from an early age as it yields benefits later on.
This approach creates a model similar to what children will encounter in school. Moreover, through meetings between the kindergarten and school, children can see how similar school is to their current community. We believe that offering such opportunities, connections, and activities can help ensure a smooth and peaceful transition from kindergarten to school, supporting children's organic growth and maturation.
School preparation groups are already in place at Kassák Kindergarten and in Zugló. Starting in September 2024, the program will also be introduced at Gellért Kindergarten by the teachers.