детский сад (Ukrainian Pre-School)

Solomiya started going to Ukrainian pre-school the last week of July! It is actually called детский сад, which translates as kindergarten, but it is not the American version of kindergarten. детский сад is more like pre-school, as it prepares children to enter first form (or first grade). Children usually start around 2-2 1/2 years old and go until they are 6 years old. 
We started with just 1 hour on the first day and have worked our way up to 9-11:30am. It's definitely a huge transition for her, but a good and much needed one. We know that this experience will give her the courage to start speaking Ukrainian more and help her learn how to interact with other kids. I think we will stick to the 9-11 or 12pm for a while. The kids actually eat breakfast, lunch, have a nap and eat supper there- that is a super long day for a little kid.  
 

You can see the playground behind Solomiya.

Her classroom is at the top of the stairs.

The name of her group: Snowdrop

The just built a pool for the kids.

Each classroom consists of 3 rooms: a locker room, class/play area and room with beds for nap time. When the kids first arrive, they put their things in the locker and change their shoes.

Solomiya's locker. Each kid has their own animal to help identify it.

Leaving for the day...