January 2013
Jacob was standing in the hall, waiting for his parents to join him. Everything was different today. He had been woken early, had porridge for breakfast, and Daddy had not gone to work as he usually did. And Grandma had come to look after Celia. It was all very strange.
Jacob was standing stiffly in his new clothes and new shoes. Blue trousers, white shirt and blue tie, blue jacket and black shoes. He didn't really understand it. He normally wore a bright coloured shirt, shorts and sandals. These clothes didn't feel like his, they were too big and too long.
'You'll grow into them,' his mother had remarked when he tried them on last week. What did she mean? How was he supposed to do that?
Mummy came into the hallway, put on her coat, picked up the new lunchbox she had bought for Jacob, and the bag she had shown him. Daddy joined them, he had his coat on too.
'Come on then, time to go.'
Where were they going?
As they walked along the pavement Jacob grabbed his parent's hands. His parents were talking to each other, over his head, but none of it seemed to make any sense. It was all very strange.
Soon they crossed the road and were walking down the main road. Jacob knew this road, he and Mummy often went down it to the shops or to the park.
They came to the railings that enclosed a large building. He had often seen lots of larger children running and playing behind these railings, but had never seen anyone go in or out. As they got near to the large gates he noticed that they were open, and that other children and their parents were going in. His parents slowed and turned, they were going in there as well, into the concreted area full of noise and bustle. As they went through the gates they turned and went through another gate into a small fenced area, where it was quieter.
Suddenly there was a shrill whistle, the noise from the larger area stopped, the larger children stood still. Another whistle and the children lined up and slowly walked into the large brick building. Now only a small group like him were left in the smaller area, some concrete, some grass, with benches around the fence.
Ladies came out of the smaller building and began to gather the children up and direct them inside. 'Have a good day,' said his mother as she gave him the lunchbox and bag.
'Off you go, see you later.' His father gave him a little push. 'Enjoy yourself.'
Jacob suddenly realised he was meant to go with the ladies. Mummy and Daddy weren't coming. They were smiling at him and waving. He tried to smile back but found it hard. Just then he felt a hand take his, and lead him away. What was happening? He looked back at his parents, they were still smiling and waving. Then they turned and went out of the gate. Jacob wasn't sure what to do, he felt a little tearful and scared.
The lady holding his hand took him into a classroom, showed him his coat peg. It had his name and an elephant picture on it. 'Take off your jacket and hang it up, then we'll find your seat.' The lady had a gentle voice, and was smiling at him. Jacob felt better, and smiled back.
Soon he was sitting at a table with three little girls and two other boys and the lady. Around the room were other tables filled with children, at each one was a lady.
'My name is Miss Thomas, and I am here to help you. We're going to get on very well I'm sure.' All the children on Jacob's table smiled at her and at each other.
'Stick your name labels on your shirts, that will help us get to know each other,' said Miss Thomas 'and now we are going to do a jigsaw together, everyone can help.'
Jacob enjoyed doing jigsaws at home, so he quickly set to. Others on the table got involved and slowly the picture began to form. 'It's a car!' shouted Gemma, one of the girls. 'A red car, just like my daddy's.'
'We've got a red car too,' said Lance, one of the boys, 'A large one.'
Soon they had finished the jigsaw and Miss Thomas took a photo of it, with the children behind it.
'There we are, our first picture for the wall,' she said. 'Now we need to pack it away for another group to use.'
Everyone helped to pack the pieces back into the box, then they were called to gather with all the other children on a carpet area, and one of the other ladies read them a story. Jacob had begun to feel more relaxed, and smiled at Lance who was sitting next to him.
After the story they were told to put on their jackets and go outside to play. There were tricycles, scooters, balls and hoops to play with and a little hose and sandpit to play in. Very quickly all the children were enjoying themselves having fun.
After a while they were called back in, hung up their jackets and settled down again. They were given paper and crayons, and told to draw something special to them. Jacob drew his house, with Mummy, Daddy, himself and baby Celia outside it, in their garden. Miss Thomas wrote a title underneath it for him to copy. He felt very pleased with himself.
Then it was lunchtime, they went outside and sat on the benches to eat, as it was such a lovely day. Jacob opened his box and found that Mummy had packed his favourites. He quickly ate then played with some of the other boys, kicking a ball around.
Soon they were back in class, doing some counting. Jacob was able to get up to ten and back with no problems. After that they sang some songs, most of which they knew, and before long they were having another story before going home.
Jacob had been frightened at first about that step into the unknown world, but now he felt a surge of excitement inside him. After all he was five now, a big boy at school. He could be brave. He had enjoyed today, and he could enjoy tomorrow. It was going to be an adventure.