How did you prepare your child for reception?

[DuelingFanjo]

All the posts here and on my Facebook timeline of proud but worried parents sending their children off to school for the first time has given me the jitters. DS will start reception next year having spent the last few years at a very naice private nursery. Many of his friends have left the nursery already to go to their school attached nursery but we decided against this for logistic reasons.

Yesterday my son told me that when he is bigger he will go to the same school as his best friend from the nursery (Who is leaving to start school nursery this week) so I thought the best thing was to explain to him now that he will be going to a different schools as children tend to go to the school near their house and best friend lives in a different part of the city. He seemed to accept this without any upset but it got me thinking about how other people start to prepare their kids for the change from a small nice nursery to a larger school with new people, many of whom will probably know each other already.

Is it lots of books, chats about schools etc?

I have arranged a visit to some of the schools nearby.

[ladybirdandsnails]

Nursery will do lots with them after Easter next year. I would avoid taking him round lots of schools as it may be confusing. You will get induction sessions once you have been allocated a school etc next April.

[ladybirdandsnails]

Apart from that independence - dressing, eating, toilets etc

[ThatBloodyWoman]

I didn't do anything....

Seriously.I think its better for them to go in with no expectations, and they'll find their way.

[FreeSpirit89]

Our children's centre have us a list they just need to be able to take care of there basic needs. So toilet, getting dressed and undressed. A little knowledge of phonics is good but otherwise just happy children.

Your more worried than he will be. Remember that x

[DuelingFanjo]

It's always recommended to me that I visit the schools before applying but perhaps I will leave him at home.

[odyssey2001]

Indeed. You should go but he should not.

[DuelingFanjo]

I am not trying to argue, but why not?

[ladybirdandsnails]

I would only take a child round if it was a school where you can defo get a place. In many areas you may put 3-6 preferences but it's not a guarantee you will get one. Why confuse a poor 4 year old by going round schools they won't attend ?

[DuelingFanjo]

Do you think he would be confused if I take him in the next month and explain what we are doing and why? He won't sart until next Sept and surely once we find out which school he is in I can either take him again or Weill get an induction?

[catkind]

We took DS around schools if he was around but didn't make any particular effort to have him around. He didn't seem at all confused by seeing schools he didn't end up going to. It was just somewhere to go and have a play for an hour or so as far as he was concerned. We took it as a good sign when he didn't want to leave the reception classroom!
Schools are usually great at having induction sessions and gradual settling in, no need to go extra.

[ladybirdandsnails]

My DD would have been full of 'is this where I am coming' ' I dont like this, I liked this play ground etc It's also easier to chat to head or teachers and watch carefully what goes on etc without a 4 year old in tow. Just not forget that you state a preference for a school but do not choose

[MrsChocolateBrownie]

We took ds1 to one school but purely because it was my day off and I had no childcare - it was our first choice and yes we got in.
I've learnt not to tell ds about things too early. When we got our place we told him the name of the school, (private) nursery did a school week (sports, packed lunch day, school dinner day etc) and they talked about it gradually and sensibly. They had the starting school biff chip and kipper book for example. As he asked more about it we give him more info in dribs and drabs. The school did a teacher visit at nursery, induction morning in July and a home visit.
All we were told at the school visit is try to get them as independent as possible - able to dress themselves, go to the loo and clean themselves up and recognise their full name