Feeling daunted by my child starting reception - how much should I help after school ?

Schools job to teach her, your job to have fun with her. Read to her, play with her and take her to the park. Get the play doh and the paints out.

If you want to help her with reading learn the phonics sounds. Most schools use read, write inc and there are lots of videos on you tube. But don't stress it, you are not a teacher you are a parent.

I honestly wouldn't do anything for the first few weeks of Reception. Just let her relax. There's a lot to take in and she'll be learning so much new stuff every day that sometimes, they just want to flop at home.

Doing extra phonics practice at home with a preschool child seems bonkers to me. There are so many better uses of time. Why are you so worried about her?

How do you know she's going to need your help?

I would read a couple of stories to her every day, encourage her to talk about the plot, pictures, ask her about what you've read.
Do whatever the school asks in terms of reading and homework
Apart from that, make sure she gets enough sleep and don't pressurise her
I really wouldn't go overboard it's only reception. Enjoying stories and encouraging speaking and listening skills is enough. They do the rest in school and will advise if there's anything she needs extra help with

Read every day, ideally the books that are sent home from school but also reading favourite bedtime stories for pleasure.

Phonics, again be guided by what comes home from school, there may not be much to start with and that's fine.

More importantly, remember that school takes a lot out of little ones. Early nights, healthy and easy food/snacks when they get home, low key weekends with plenty of fresh air will all help to get them through to half term.

Don't worry about it too much. I expect you've already been reading with them every day so just keep doing that.

Yes, read, read and more reading.

DC1 never stops reading and has done spectacularly well academically

Help her with what? School work?

You don't need to do anything extra, just carry on reading with her, talking to her, doing fun stuff together.

At some point she might get some reading to do or phonics to practise. Take the school's advice on when/how much to do these.

Help her to settle in?

Be patient with her, she's likely to be tired and a bit overwhelmed. Keep evenings relaxed with lots of opportunities to interact. Don't be afraid to move dinner/bath/bed earlier. Don't quiz her when she comes out, give her a chance to decompress and open up when she's ready.

I totally agree, the best and biggest gift you can give to your child is to encourage a love of reading. I've raised 4 kids to suit his and the ones that read =did better in school/college/uni. The only one that refused to read got 0 GCSEs.

Talk to her about her day. Read her school book with her at least a couple of times a day and then read other books as much as you can.

dont put too much pressure on yourself or on her.

Does the school offer any sessions with parents which guide you?

At our school they run sessions for each year group explaining the curriculum and saying what parents can do to support this at home.

generally at primary it’s not a huge amount unless they’re struggling. We read together daily, DD in Y5 gets weekly spellings. We practice times tables. It’s pretty low key.

Just read a story to her and listen to her...it's week one...

Just read a story to her and listen to her...it's week one...