Talk

Flip

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

The staffroom

Sending your own little dc off to school for the first time.

10 replies

SheerWill · 26/04/2014 15:59

Hi everyone, I work full time in a secondary school and ds (4) is starting school in September. I'm feeling a but :-( that I probably wont be there to take him to school on his first day. Also how did you manage the induction period when they do random morning/afternoon sessions? I work 20 miles away from hi school. Have phoned various childminders but so many don't have any spaces at all. Beginning to panic now and I just want things to go smoothly.

OP posts:

Report

petalpower · 27/04/2014 08:03

Could DH or family cover the first week or so?
With it being September and PD days you might find that the two schools have different PD days and therefore different days that the children start back. These should already have been published and on the school's website or available through the office. Fingers crossed this could mean that you have some flexibility on the first day.
Have you spoken to your line manager about the possibility of a slightly later start on your son's first day? My HT (primary) agreed to me leaving early on the last day of the summer term so that I could go to my daughter's Year 6 leaving assembly.

Report

chosenone · 27/04/2014 08:32

I asked for time off (unpaid) as did many others at my school. I had the equivalent of 2 days but used them to drop off and pick up, so I had p1 and 5's covered. Once dc settled I then used friends and after school club. Youare entitled to ask for this flexibility with regards to little ones. I e mailed my exact wants and needs to the Assistant Head who deals with Personnel in plently of time and it was fine with both DC.

Report

howiwonder · 27/04/2014 08:42

I'm worrying about this too, DSstarts in sept and, although I only work 3 days, I'm sure those days will clash with him starting. I have no family available nearby.
I'm just not sure my head would be keen on unpaid leave, it's such a big day in school aswell, as I'm primary- early years, so will be expected to support all our little ones starting on their first days.
Such a tricky one

Report

petalpower · 27/04/2014 09:51

I think it's much harder in primary howiwonder, especially in EYFS.
Would your DH be able to do the first drop off and pick up?

Report

howiwonder · 27/04/2014 10:21

He's a primary teacher too! We will hatch some sort of a plan I suppose. I know we have a lot to be grateful for with our jobs, but it's times like this I curse the lack of flexibility.
It may be a case of my parents coming over from Ireland for a few days to support those first few settling in sessions.

Report

petalpower · 27/04/2014 10:41

What childcare are you currently using? Could they drop off/pick up? I know it's not ideal. One of the worst things about teaching is missing your own children's assemblies, sports days etc. PD days can be tricky too. When my children were younger I asked grandparents to time their visits around school events if possible (live 2.5 hours drive away). They were happy too but I had to be very, very organised.

Report

tethersend · 27/04/2014 15:40

Children are entitled to 25 hours a week (190 days per year, IIRC) of education from the September after they turn four. If you wanted to force the issue, the school would have to accommodate him full time from day one.

It may be worth contacting the LEA if you want to do this.

Report

howiwonder · 27/04/2014 15:59

I wouldn't want that personally tethersend, I'm a great believer in a gentle settling in process, but yes I'm sure some might not be aware of that fact.
As for our childcare - well, just to complicate things, he actually is in the nursery class at my school for this year! Not an ideal scenario but it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Am dreading the missing of assemblies etc but maybe being part time it won't be as difficult an issue for me.
Hoping your school is flexible and you find a way SheerWill -maybe try and arrange something for pickups on those early sessions with other local mums? That's one thing I will be trying to do as well (although we are quite new in area and I don't know anyone brilliantly yet, looks like I will be on a friend making mission this summer!)

Report

tethersend · 27/04/2014 16:30

It's certainly not what's best for every child- but definitely best for some. Parents can request that their child attends part time until compulsory school age, but the school must offer a full time place from the September after the child turns four.

In my case, it would have been far more traumatic for my DD to spend half days with an unfamiliar childminder than it would for her to spend a full day at school, particularly as she had been at the school nursery from 9-3.30 for the previous year.

Report

SheerWill · 27/04/2014 22:36

I have the same problem as Howiwonder, as my dp also works at a secondary school but it is closer to the village. I teach sen y7 who will be struggling with transition so not sure how flexible school will be as my students are emotionally very vulnerable and need extra hand holding for the first few weeks. Always imagined I'd be there to wave him off as he merrily skips into school and I hide my tears of pride behind my sunglasses. It's so hard when you dedicate so much time and effort to everyone else's kids and you feel like your own (and you) miss out.