A Gentle Yet Firm Start: Nursery's Settling Week

Before the new academic year officially began, all the staff at Hiba Academy Hangzhou had already entered a state of full preparation.

The management team had mapped out the overall plan for the year in advance and led the teachers through pre-term training. At the same time, every detail was carefully arranged—from curriculum design to logistical support—to ensure a smooth return for the children.

Each year group also held multiple meetings to share their goals and vision for the year, building a shared understanding of the educational approach. Teachers arrived early, thoroughly reviewing each child's development profile to lay the foundation for personalised support. 

Beyond enhancing their professional skills, the teachers also devoted time to arranging classrooms and the wider school environment, so that children would feel warmth and a sense of belonging the moment they stepped through the door.

What's more, every step of our preparation was anything but ‘standardised’—each was infused with thoughtful care and attentive detail. From the cosy corners of each classroom to a teacher's gentle observation, every element conveyed one clear message: “every child is truly welcome here.”

We understand that a smooth transition relies on the trust and support of families. That is why we hosted two special orientation sessions before the term began:

✨Parent Orientation Day – Teachers met with parents in person to share our educational ethos, curriculum design and home-school cooperation approach. Parents gained a deeper understanding of Hiba's educational methods and began forming trusting relationships with the teaching team.

✨Pupil Orientation Day – Children explored the campus alongside their parents, met their teachers and future friends and familiarised themselves with the new environment. Nervousness soon gave way to a sense of security, and the classrooms began to brim with curiosity and smiles.

With the official start of the term came our Settling Week. Tailored to each age group, we implemented a range of strategies to support each child's adaptation:

✨Step-by-step transition: Children, especially those in EY1 and EY2, were gently guided to transition from parental accompaniment to independent exploration, helping ease their separation anxiety.

✨Morning greetings: Each day, teachers welcomed the children at the gate with warm smiles and hugs, helping them feel secure from the moment they arrived.

✨Routines and culture building: Through peer play and simple daily routines, the children learned to cooperate with peers, share, express themselves and gradually build a shared classroom culture and sense of belonging.

Throughout the week, the children made countless brave attempts: waving their first goodbyes to mum and dad, reaching out to hold a new friend's hand, or raising their hand to answer a question. Each of these seemingly small moments shone as a milestone in their early growth.

At the same time, the nursery places great importance on maintaining open and positive communication between home and school. In addition to day-to-day face-to-face conversations, teachers also make timely use of online platforms to share children's growth moments and milestones. This not only keeps parents informed of their child's progress but also enables them to extend related discussions at home, helping to build a natural connection between nursery and family life.

At Hiba Academy Hangzhou, a blend of professional educational ethos, a scientifically-informed curriculum, and genuine care guides each child through their first steps of separation and into the exciting adventures that lie ahead. As the new academic year unfolds, we look forward to working together with parents to support every child in learning to explore, cooperate and express themselves, growing steadily in confidence and independence within a nurturing and supportive environment.

This marks a fresh beginning, and the opening chapter of a beautiful story. We believe the 2025–2026 academic year will be a sparkling journey, one that uniquely belongs to each child.