First steps at kindergarten

Start with a visit

We invite you to discover our kindergarten, meet the team and explore the environment where children learn, play and develop harmoniously. We will introduce our educational programme and gladly answer all your questions.

If your visit to our kindergarten has given you confidence that you have found the right place for your child and you have decided to join the Albă ca Zăpada family, we will be happy to guide you through the enrolment process.

This includes completing the necessary documents, providing the medical document required for joining the kindergarten community and signing the educational agreement.

Information about fees and available programmes can be found in theHours and feessection of the website or obtained from the kindergarten office.

Helping your child settle in

The first days at kindergarten are full of emotions for both children and parents. We know how important it is for every child to feel safe, understood and cared for when discovering a new environment.

That is why settling in takes place with patience, gentleness and respect for each child's pace. Teachers carefully observe children's reactions and needs and work closely with families to make this period as natural and calm as possible.

For children in the Baby group, settling in is gradual. During the first days, children may spend less time at kindergarten, with their stay increasing gradually as they adjust.

During this period, leaving at around 12:00 may be an intermediate step, rather than a compulsory rule for all children. Over time, each child gradually settles into the programme they are enrolled in.

We encourage parents to communicate openly with their child's teacher and trust the settling-in process. Every step forward, however small, matters.

We want every child to enjoy coming to kindergarten and discover, day by day, a place where they feel accepted, protected and encouraged.

What should we prepare for the first day?

The first day at kindergarten is a special moment. Preparing a few things in advance will help your child feel comfortable and confident in their new environment.

What we recommend bringing:

• A change of clothes suitable for the season, in case clothing needs to be changed.
• Comfortable indoor shoes that are easy to put on and suitable for daily activities.
• Disposable nappies, only for children who still use them.
• Other personal items, if needed, as recommended by the teacher.

What does the kindergarten provide?

For children enrolled in the extended-day programme, the kindergarten provides individual beds and bed linen, including laundering and sanitising the linen.

The kindergarten also provides the usual materials and supplies needed for children's hygiene and care. Parents do not need to bring bed linen or everyday hygiene products.

An important point about your child's health

Please tell us about any allergies, food intolerances or other individual needs when enrolling your child. If these are identified later, please inform the kindergarten so that we can adapt their care and meals to their needs.

For information about the documents required for enrolment, please see the Enrolment steps section.

We want every child to begin this new stage with joy, supported by a team attentive to their needs.

Arrival and collection

To help each day begin in a calm and organised atmosphere, please follow the children's arrival and collection times.

Arrival at kindergarten

Children may arrive between 07:45 and 09:00. The recommended arrival time is 08:00–08:30, so they can join daily activities from the start.

On arrival, children are welcomed by kindergarten staff. Children in the Baby group are accompanied to their classroom by their parents or legal guardians throughout the school year.

If your child will arrive after 09:00 for a valid reason, please let kindergarten staff know in advance.

Collection from the standard-day programme

For an organised collection, we recommend the following time slots:

• Junior group: 12:15–12:30
• Middle group: 12:30–12:45
• Senior group: 12:45–13:00

At the end of the standard-day (short) programme, children in the Baby group are collected directly from their classroom. During settling in, collection times are agreed individually with the teacher.

At parents' request, children enrolled in the standard-day programme may stay for lunch and must be collected by 13:45. There is no additional tuition fee for this arrangement; parents pay only for the meals.

Collection from the extended-day programme

Children may be collected at a time that suits the family's schedule, but no later than 17:00.

At the end of the extended-day (long) programme, kindergarten staff bring children in the Baby group to the entrance, where they are handed over to their parents, legal guardians or people authorised in advance. Parents do not go upstairs to the first-floor sleeping room to collect their children.

Children's safety

For their safety, children are released only to their parents, legal guardians or people authorised in advance.

Thank you for your cooperation and for following the schedule, which helps us provide children with a balanced and well-organised day.

Meals and opening hours

At Albă ca Zăpada Kindergarten, each day balances learning, play, movement, meals and rest in a safe and friendly environment.

Children's meals

Meals are prepared and supplied by the catering company that works with the kindergarten. Their cost is paid separately from tuition fees.

Parents who do not choose the breakfast provided by the caterer may send breakfast from home, following the kindergarten's hygiene and food safety rules. This option applies to breakfast only.

For children with declared allergies or food intolerances, we work with the caterer to adapt meals to their individual needs, based on the information and documents provided by parents.

The website presents four weekly menus used in rotation. Their order may change because of holidays, events or other organisational needs. Parents are informed through Kinderpedia which menu applies in the current week.

Standard-day programme

The standard-day programme ends at 13:00.

At parents' request, children may stay for lunch and must be collected by 13:45. There is no additional tuition fee; parents pay only for the meals.

This arrangement does not include nap time.

Extended-day programme and rest

The extended-day programme runs until no later than 17:00.

Lunch, preparation for rest, sleep and activities after rest take place between 13:00 and 15:45.

Each child has an individual bed and bed linen provided and sanitised by the kindergarten.

Children who cannot fall asleep are not required to sleep. They may rest quietly in bed without disturbing the other children.

Children are supervised by kindergarten staff throughout the rest period.

Weekly menu

Please visit the Weekly menu section to explore the menu options offered to children.