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Original poster

Should I refuse reception settling in days if I can?

234 replies

Jiski · 23/05/2024 20:06

Hi,

Has anyone ever gotten their child to stay full time when it’s supposed to be a settling in day. Can you do it? How did you do it?

I’ve read on an old post that it was possible, but the link to government guidance doesn’t work and I don’t know if I just can’t find it or if it’s outdated advice now.

My son already goes to nursery full time and does lots of other activities like Squirrels and swimming so he’s used to long days. Also, I don’t think he needs to settle in as he’s been to playgroup at the school a number of times and should be in a class with 3 of his nursery friends.

FYI I don’t have any annual leave left as my annual leave year resets in November.

Thanks

OP posts:
ChanWork · 23/05/2024 20:16

What's your plan for after school care? Will they take him earlier in the day?
I had a childminder and she did the early pick up as she was going to be having Dc after school anyway.

Parker231 · 23/05/2024 20:16

You are legally entitled to send them full time from day one - we did. Settling in days would have been more disruptive to the routine they were already use to.
I sent an email to the school and it wasn’t a problem. They were with their teacher in class from that first day.

If you and your DH both work full time, don’t waste your holiday entitlement unnecessarily - you’ll need the time off for school holidays.

Original poster
Jiski · 23/05/2024 20:14

I’ve got holidays booked and I get sick leave

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 23/05/2024 20:14

Most schools where I am tend to do a sensible level of settling in (they stagger start dates but everyone starts FT, unless otherwise requested) but it's not the schools problem you don't have any annual leave left.

Its a long time from now until November, how are you planning to cover illness for example?

Original poster
Jiski · 23/05/2024 20:13

unfortunately that would be completely unaffordable

OP posts:
Reugny · 23/05/2024 20:12

BecuaseIWantItThatWay · 23/05/2024 20:12

It's really important to phase these transitions, even if your son is used to full time childcare, it's a different environment with different care givers and that's a lot to ask of a young child to immediately be OK with.

Could you take a week of unpaid parental leave for this purpose? UK parents are entitled to 18 weeks per child.

https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave/entitlement

BS.

BecuaseIWantItThatWay · 23/05/2024 20:12

It's really important to phase these transitions, even if your son is used to full time childcare, it's a different environment with different care givers and that's a lot to ask of a young child to immediately be OK with.

Could you take a week of unpaid parental leave for this purpose? UK parents are entitled to 18 weeks per child.

https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave/entitlement

Unpaid parental leave

Employer and employee guide to unpaid parental leave - eligibility, how much leave can be taken and notice periods

https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave/entitlement

sheoaouhra · 23/05/2024 20:11

But if you mess up the timetable, then you mess it up for all the other children in the class too, someone else cant have their turn in a short session with a very small class - the school should not be taking your child full time if that is not what is planned and in place.

WittyFatball · 23/05/2024 20:08

Yes, you just need to tell the school you can't accommodate part time. They be able to sort something out, for example him going into the Year 1 or Nursery class for some of the day.