Pre-school graduation | The end of an era

It seems so long ago since POD started at her local nursery. Aged 11 months, she joined with very little hair – just a moustache-like strip at the back of her head. Although a tough choice at the time, she has thrived there over the past few years. Now an independent and sociable four-year-old, she’s very much looking forward to school. She’s more than ready too, even if we’re not quite there yet.

The staff recently held a graduation for the all the children starting school in September. We attended the ceremony which saw all the children dressed in homemade gowns and motar boards. The team had done a fantastic job with banners, balloons and of course a ‘class of 2015’ cake. It was great to see the entire nursery there too, from the staff that looked after POD as a baby right through to her current pre-school class.

Each of the children were called out in alphabetical order where they stood on a makeshift stage to receive a graduation teddy, a scroll and a jar of sweets. Being towards the end, POD took it upon herself to act the giddy goat while she was waiting! On this occasion pretending to be a pirate.

But when her name was called, miraculously her behaviour was impeccable. She even stood on the stage long enough for me to get a few photos. It was a special moment which certainly saw me blink away a tear so I could see through my lens. She looked so very grown up.

Back in her seat, she entertained herself by using using her scroll as a trumpet.

It took minutes for her to realise if she blew down it, the noise she made sounded just like a ‘boom boom’. Quite possibly the funniest thing ever!

Then we had the obligatory motar board throwing!

Before a moment of calm.

Although POD is still at pre-school, this ceremony made it all seem so final. Definitely the end of an era. We’ve been so focused on getting her into the local school, going through an appeals process and preparing for school, we’d forgotten one thing. We have to say goodbye to pre-school and the nursery that’s looked after her since 2011. I suspect it will be just as hard as seeing her walk through those school gates in September.

We captured some wonderful moments at the graduation ceremony including a video of the children singing the graduation song and a photograph of POD with her chums. Plus this photograph. The first time she threw her motar board in the air – clearly much higher than I anticipated!