💡 A nursery teacher is an educadora, an assistant is an auxiliar; people address them by their first names.
💡 It helps staff to know about a bad night or feeling unwell: they'll keep a closer eye and let the child sleep in the day.
💡 Breakfast is pequeno-almoço, lunch is almoço, the afternoon snack is lanche: these are the names of mealtimes at nursery.
💡 Children are handed over only to people on the approved list; a new person must be added in advance, and told to show ID.
💡 Medicines at nursery are often given only with written permission from the parents and instructions - check the rules of your nursery.
💡 Staff usually advise saying goodbye briefly and calmly: a long goodbye makes the tears worse.
💡 It's better to mention an early pick-up in the morning: the child will be got ready and won't be in the middle of a nap or lunch.
💡 The most common phrases from nursery staff: portou-se bem - behaved well, brincou muito - played a lot.
💡 Many nurseries keep a daily record of food and sleep - they show it to parents or post it in an app.
💡 Nurseries usually keep a spare set of clothes; label things with the child's name - they get lost easily.
💡 Nurseries usually report falls and injuries straight away; for a serious bump they phone the parents during the day.
💡 If you're running late, be sure to phone: the nursery has a fixed closing time, and the staff will wait.
💡 Don't sign anything you don't understand: calmly ask O que é isto? - the staff will gladly explain.
💡 With a temperature you're asked to collect the child as soon as possible: a sick child usually can't stay at nursery.
💡 Let the nursery know about an absence in the morning: they plan meals and activities.
💡 Rules about notes after illness differ from nursery to nursery - check them as soon as you enrol.
💡 They often ask that a child has had no temperature for at least a day before coming back.
💡 With a rash the nursery may ask you to show the child to a doctor before they come back.
💡 For an allergy the nursery usually asks for a medical certificate so the kitchen can prepare a separate menu.
💡 Settling in is adaptação: está a adaptar-se bem - is settling in well.
💡 Staff often ask for a few key words in your language (water, toilet, mum) - it helps a lot in the first weeks.
💡 Quarrels at nursery are reported without drama: the main thing is to calmly find out what happened and sort it out together.
💡 Many nurseries send photos and the day's news in an app or parents' group - ask whether there is one.
💡 Parents at nursery often get to know each other through the children: De quem é a mãe? - "Whose mum are you?" - is a common way to start a conversation.
💡 In summer nurseries often ask for a cap and sun cream, and in the rainy season a raincoat.
💡 For nursery parties parents often bring something for the table; at Carnival the children are dressed up in costumes.
💡 In conversation, a birthday in Portuguese is os anos: festa de anos - a birthday party.
💡 At many nurseries the fee depends on family income (escalão); to calculate it they ask for income documents.
💡 There's often a shortage of places in state nurseries - ask about enrolment in advance and get on the waiting list.
💡 At the meeting you can ask for a presentation or a short summary by email - it makes it easier to understand at home.
💡 A child's birthday party (festa de anos) in Portugal is often held not at home but in a play room with slides and trampolines.
💡 A birthday present in Portugal is simple and often symbolic, and sometimes there isn't one at all - this surprises Ukrainians.
💡 At this kind of party the child is usually left on their own, so ask in advance what time to collect them.
💡 Qualquer coisa, ligue-me - "if anything, call me": that's what you say when you leave your child and will be nearby.
💡 After the games the children are given crisps (batatas fritas), cake and juice.
💡 Queria reservar a sala para uma festa de anos - "I'd like to book the room for a birthday party".
💡 Before booking, check what's included in the price: food, drinks, how long the room is yours, and whether you can bring your own cake.