THERE'S just a few weeks until four-year-old Sienna Bodiroza sets off for her first day of school and mum Beth Price has been preparing her daughter - as well as herself - for the big milestone.
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"For a parent, it's a big deal especially when it's your little one," Mrs Price said.
"Yes there will be tears, probably from me as I see my little girl growing up. [The school] does have a 'tea and tears' event for the parents but I think I will be alright."
Sienna, 4, will be one of the many new kindergarten students to start at Queanbeyan East Public School on February 3.
The Queanbeyan mother-of-two has been helping her daughter make the transition to school by involving her in buying school things like uniforms, lunchbox, bags and shoes. She also likes to talk to Sienna about going to school and points out the school building whenever they drive past.
"I tried to involve Sienna so she had a sense of ownership; she got to pick out her lunch box and bag," Mrs Price said.
"We went and picked out the uniforms together. We did a lot of it together so I made sure she was there every step of the way and understood a little bit of what was happening but I don't know how much has sunk in."
Mrs Price said she and husband, Danny Bodiroza were impressed with the community feel at Queanbeyan East Public School as well as the smaller classes allowing more one-on-one time with each student.
Many primary schools these days, including Queanbeyan East Public School, offer a 'transition to school' program so students can familiarise themselves with their school. Mrs Price said it was beneficial for Sienna and recommended other parents take advantage of 'transition to school' programs.
"It allowed her the opportunity to meet some of the people going to the same school, get used to the school grounds, get used to the things they do and program they run [at Queanbeyan East]," she said.
Dressed in her new school uniform and wearing her backpack, Sienna is clearly excited about starting school and Mrs Price is equally as excited.
"The last few years have really flown by, it seems just like yesterday I was pregnant and looking into day care for Sienna," Mrs Price said.
"This is really just another milestone, sending your child off to school. I really want Sienna to enjoy school ... I want kindergarten to be a positive experience for her. I want her to be able to achieve good things at school."
