Primary school place awarded - now what?

[Dixie2016]

I've accepted the offer we received, but what happens next?

I want to find out whether the school has a staggered start, how to book in for the breakfast club etc.

Do the schools contact us or should we email them?

[jimijack]

I need to know this too, thanks for posting.
I've emailed the school to ask the same question directly to them.

It will all slot into place I'm sure, but I want to know really.

[2014newme]

They will contact you and invite you to various info session which are likely to be June at the earliest. It won't be for a while.

[christinarossetti]

The school will contact you shortly, usually for a meeting to explain settling arrangements etc.

Emailing about breakfast club etc is a good idea though, as some are very oversubscribed. Be warned that some schools won't let reception children use the breakfast club until they're doing full days, and most children find the transitions from breakfast club to school much, much more tiring than a long day at nursery. Try to build in as much flexibility as possible re drop offs and pick ups for September.

[jimijack]

Thanks, I really need to know about the admission process, we will need to make arrangements for the first few weeks if they have half days for the first 2-3 weeks. (Nightmare)

Want to get a feel for the teaching staff and lay out of the school.
I'm ridiculously nervous about getting this right although in the bigger picture it doesn't matter so much I think.

[Fucktifyno]

Has the school gine back today? Ours is still on easter hols this week.
The school will be in touch, usually with and invite to a welcome meeting for parents/children.

[2014newme]

At the moment schools won't even have their list of new joiners yet.
Our school did weird hours for the first three weeks but at least it wasn't for 6 weeks like some schools! 9-11am etc.

[2014newme]

Just to add mine continued at nursery part Time during the settling in.

[PotteringAlong]

Probably nothing will happen unto after sats

[DonkeyOaty]

You don't need to do part time jiggery pokery. The child can start full time from the outset (some schools don't make this clear)

[Fucktifyno]

Is that right @DonkeyOaty I didn't know that! Ours go full time from day 1, tiny school

[Toomanycats99]

I would definitely get them on waiting list for breakfast and after school clubs if you need them. Waiting lists can be very long.

[Snap8TheCat]

Blimey give them a chance! The closing date for accepting won't be for a couple of weeks, then waiting place offers will be made and then schools will be given their list of who is coming.

There's also SATs and phonics screening tests approaching. You'll hear in due course. Take a breath.

We found out our school on 1st March and still not heard from the school but I know we will.

[jimijack]

Lol snap! We are a bit keen hey! More excitement at getting a day or two back to myself after four long years of no sleep and tantrums around Aldi

[Iamcheeseman]

I'd just phone and ask anything you want to know. Each school is different- they won't mind a phone call.

[sixlive]

Please don't call. You will be contacted. Office staff are now often very overstretched in schools due to budget cuts. Just wait.

[GreatWhites]

they won't mind a phone call

The problem is that you aren't the only parent out of the cohort who is going to phone. One phone call is no problem, 50 phone calls are!

More realistically, phoning tomorrow won't accomplish anything- most schools do not know who is teaching each class next year and won't have dates for key meetings. It will be ironed out when SATs are finished and the information will be sent out to you.

[Snap8TheCat]

jimi oh I get it! Really I do! It won't make September come any quicker though. I had 12 years of having at least one preschooler at home before my youngest finally started school 18 months ago (and she was 5, a long 5 years!)

However the schools are experienced at this. They will have information and lists ready to send to you as a cohort together. They know you don't know anything and will walk you through it all.

[RitzyMcFee]

We do nothing until after the May half term.

[2014newme]

I think some parents get a bit anxious bless em.

[ceeveebee]

My DC joined reception last year, and we had a welcome meeting towards the end of June. I did sort out breakfast and after school club before then though as massively oversubscribed- applied the day we got the place.

[Snap8TheCat]

Or childminders. Contact CMs now to find if if they have spaces now you know what school you need collection from. Don't start calling in the first week of September and expect a space to be available.

[SBGA]

You have to actually accept? I missed that part!

[isittheholidaysyet]

SBGA

It's different in different places.
Some places you have to accept the place.
In others it is presumed you want the place unless you say otherwise.

[Venusflytwat]

Oh dear Lord PLEASE don't start calling them yet.
They will send you stuff nearer the time. You will get to go in and look round. You really don't need to know the layout in Mid April!

It will all get there but they've got other priorities right now.

[mangomama91]

We have to take our proof of address and child's Proof of name to the school within two weeks and then just wait.

You could have a look on the school website on their calendar to see if there's any specific dates to prepare yourself?
I got so excited that I've done this nearly straight away 😂