Any Educational Psychologists or similar?

[StartingSchool19]

My DS aged 3, turning 4 next month, is due to start a local school this September. He has been at the same nursery for the past 3 years and is in the “preschool” room at this nursery with 12 other children. In total, there are 9 children from this room going to the local school, and the school has two classes per year.

In the past, the school has usually split nursery classes roughly equally between the two school classes, but the teacher who usually sorts this out has left, and a new teacher has done it this year. My DS and one other child have been placed into one class, and all seven of their friends have been placed in the other class. I am extremely disappointed that my son has spent 3 years developing friendships with these children, only to be split up from nearly all of them at such an important transition period in his life, and the parent of the other child he is with feels the same.

We are meeting with the school to discuss whether anything can be done to address this problem, and I would like to be able to present evidence regarding the importance of children having familiar children in their class when transitioning to school, if such evidence exists. I can find a lot of anecdotal evidence in articles so it does seem to be accepted that not breaking existing friendship bonds is preferable, but I would like to be able to present articles to back up our case if possible. Can anyone help?

Thanks

[somanyresusablebags]

I have a doctorate in a branch of educational psychology.

I am doubtful there is any such credible evidence, and in the long run it will not make even a tiny bit of difference. I know it feels like a very important transition and you want to make it as easy as possible but children are resilient. Unless you child has significant SEN I wouldn't worry too much at all.

[StartingSchool19]

Okay, thanks. I am still going to speak to the school though because I don’t understand why they wouldn’t try to make things as easy as possible.