By Javier Saavedra

The first weeks in a new school can feel overwhelming… Children walk into new classrooms, meet new teachers and classmates, and try to learn routines that are still unfamiliar. At Four Forest, we place a huge emphasis on supporting children as they settle in. A good start helps children feel safe and ready to learn, and it definitely shapes how quickly they begin to make friends.

Some children join our school speaking both German or English, or one of these languages, whilst others are learning a new language or languages for the first time. To make the first days easier, teachers prepare in advance by learning about each child’s background and interests. Every new student is also paired with a buddy/class friend who can guide them through the school day.

“Our team is experienced in helping children settle into the Four Forest school day,” says Kim Friedrich, Head of Admissions at Four Forest. “Each child is allocated a buddy in their class, who speaks their language. Our day team, teachers and assistants all keep an eye on the new students, offering support as needed during the school day, from the classroom to break time and at lunch time.”

Settling Into a Bilingual Routine

The bilingual model at Four Forest means switching between English and German each week. For students who are new to both languages, this can feel very challenging at first. To help them through the process, our teachers and the language support team provide small group lessons and individual sessions. Buddies and older students in the Young Interpreters Programme also give guidance – making sure no child is left behind!

The Young Interpreters Programme trains older students to welcome new classmates and act as informal language guides. They help explain routines, translate when needed, and make sure new students feel supported both in class and during social times.

Friedrich explains, “Small group learning and individual language learning sessions are arranged for students during the school day.”

Younger children usually adapt faster to our bilingual way of learning.  For many in Preschool or Kindergarten, the bilingual routine is their first school experience, so it feels normal from the start. Older students might take more time to get used to the school structure and weekly German and English teaching, but with steady support, they also settle in well.

Parents can help at home by building small routines. Watching programmes and reading books in the language they are learning is very helpful.  Parents can also assist their children by putting key words on post-its and putting them up around the house, as an example.

After Three Months, Visible Progress 

By the end of three months, most children are more confident in the new language(s) they are learning. They begin to use their new language naturally in class, on the playground, and even outside of school.

Children settle in well after three months, and the confidence they build with what they have accomplished is remarkable. Friedrich explains that “when a child feels they can learn something new, and when they are motivated to learn, the sky is the limit in terms of what they can achieve. Being able to start to communicate with others outside of school also instils a sense of pride in each child and what they are achieving every day.”

Teachers and the language support team keep parents informed during the settling-in period. If a child struggles, the school responds quickly. When a child finds the transition to the bilingual way of learning more difficult than expected, our language support team will have a discussion with teachers involved and the child’s parents, and devise a daily strategy to assist the child. This can include making sure the student has a teaching assistant in the class with them for an allocated period, and can also involve regular discussions with our learning support team, providing coping mechanisms and helping a child settle in.

A Community That Welcomes Families 

Parents are also welcome during these first months. Four Forest is blessed to have a very active Parent Community. Coffee mornings are arranged regularly for parents to meet up and to get to know each other, and each class has a parent representative who contacts new families and welcomes them.

Clubs and after-school activities add another layer of support – led in German, English or, in some cases, in both languages. They give children an opportunity to use their new language skills whilst playing sports, doing art, or joining music sessions. These moments help children connect with others and build friendships across language barriers and age groups.

The first 90 days build the foundation for a child’s whole journey at Four Forest. With teachers, language specialists, buddies, and parents working together, students move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling confident. By the end of the first months, children show confidence in their learning, ease in their friendships, and a sense of belonging that carries them forward.