Asking for reception children to be in a class with their friend

[Rosebud05]

My dd starts reception this Sept; she hasn't attended the nursery attached to the school and will only know one other person starting, who is her best friend from down the road, who goes to a different nursery and also won't know anyone.

Will the school ask who the new kids know and/or can we ask for them to go into the same class does anyone know (2 form entry)? I'll call the school tomorrow, but just wanted to gauge peoples' experiences this evening.

TIA.

[Marne]

I would just call the school and ask (no harm in asking).

[PurveyorOfBaloney]

I was just flicking through our application documents earlier and there was a bit which stated you could do just that by giving them a ring.

[Rosebud05]

Yes, I know that's the way to get the proper answer rather than just MN speculation, but the school's not open until the morning and you lot are here now .

[sunnyday123]

my dd was the same last year and they rang me to ask if she knew anyone as she'd never been to the nursery either - they never bothered to ring the kids who went to preschool. Try ringing soon before they allocate classes.

[Rosebud05]

Will do - yes, I can see that they can't start moving children after they've allocated classes so I'll give them a call tomorrow.

[Lindax]

We had to go to the school to register ds before he started P1 (Scotland) and the deputy head asked if he knew anyone starting school.

He didnt and he also didn't attend the nursery attached to the school (as it wasnt full time).

She made a point of making sure all the kids from ds's nursery were in the same class so there were at least some familar faces for them.

SIL also requested dn was moved to same class as her friend and this was readily done as dn was very anxious about starting school and deputy head was very understanding.

Hopefully they will try to accommodate your request.

[Cordova]

Not always brilliant though, to be in class with best friend - my DS and his best friend from birth were put in the same class for reception and proceeded to cause absolute HAVOC! Both of them were absolutely fine on their own (neither is a naughty child) and so ended up being separated later on. But if you have a DD you're probably fine...

[Rosebud05]

Why would I be find with a dd? I'd just like either of my children - dd or ds - to have one familiar face in a class of 30.

[Rosebud05]

fine, obviously

[mumoverseas]

Reading with interest as hadn't realised it might be a possibility to ask if DD could be with a friend. There are 3 reception classes at the school she is starting in September and she only knows one girl going as hasn't been to the nursery attached. Might be worth asking.

[Rosebud05]

I asked today and they said it will be fine. They said that they usually ask parents of kids who haven't been to the nursery as they may not know anyone.

I can understand that they don't want parents dictating what classes their kids are in, and tbh if she had been in the nursery and knew a fair few people i wouldn't think she 'should' be with her best friend, but given as they are 4 years old and both know only one other person out of 60 starting, I would actually have been very perplexed and annoyed if they had said no.

[Jubato]

Our school has said that we can request and they will consider it, though final decision obviously lies with them.

I'm hesitating. DS knows 1 child from nursery and another from his tennis but isn't particularly close with either of them. I'm not sure I should request either of them. However, DS is a summer baby and will start a couple of weeks later than the older ones (rolling starts apparently) and I thought it might be nice to see a familiar face. Then I worried he might be a bit disappointed if his "familiar face" already has bigger buddies and he is not part of it.

I worry too much, don't I? I've definitely got neurotic first time mum syndrome and need to just get a .