Anyone else's smalls starting school this/next week?

[cjt110]

DS has a home visit on Wednesday from his teacher and her TA, in for the afternoon on Friday and then launched into the deep end on Monday as fulltime.

We only have him so it's all a bit new and weird for us.

Mine started last Wednesday, she did full time from day 1. She’s really enjoying it so far (she was more than ready to go). I think she’ll be exhausted by the end of this week though!

Mine starts reception tomorrow, though he's been in the nursery class since the term he turned 3, so he has been there nearly two years (5 in October)

They have two half days then straight into full days.

He is more than ready and I think he's going to absolutely thrive but I'm definitely having a bit of a wobble today!

My boy has been in private day nursery since 6 months old - so the routine won't bother him too much I don't think. Although not going to Grandma's and his nursery (He's at my parents 2 days and nursery 3 days) will throw him.

The one resonating thought for me is that he'll be in a strange room, with strangers. And what if he cries? He looked so lost on the parent/child session we had amongst the other kids and not his usual confident self at all.

I heard some schools do a "tea and tissues" for parents on the first drops offs. I need this - just to reassure me he's ok.

Does he know any of the other children from nursery? DD knows at least 8 of the children in her class from pre school, ballet classes and gymnastics so that helped.

SoyDora I know there are 4 children from his nursery going to his school but there are 4 reception classes and I'm not sure if any are in his class - although all 4 classes go out onto a courtyard with one another so he will see those children at some point.

Don't worry cjt110. I worked in Reception for many years. Your boy will be tired out for the first few weeks as he takes in all the new routines and learns all the new children's/teachers' names. He will also take a while to get used to his new room and moving around the rest of the school, which must seem enormous to them.

You'll be lucky to get any information out of him for the first few weeks - I think they are just too tired, but before you know it he'll be skipping into school to see his friends.

We used to try absolutely anything to help if they cry at first, as if they were our very own children.
Tell us how he gets on.

That's really reassuring to read StayAChild

It’s nerve wracking! My ‘just’ 4 yrs old starts next week. She seems like she can’t wait so I’m being super positive about what fun she’ll have and all the friends she’ll make....fingers crossed!! She’s been at private nursery since she was 1yrs so I’m hoping that will have helped.

Good luck everyone. It's crazy to think of our 4 year olds being old enough for school. I am sure they'll all be fine.

Try to play it down - I found with DCs that if you don't make it an angst-ridden issue, they will not be that bothered.
If you are going to cry when you drop him off, do it when you have left the building!

Mine's about to start school nursery. He's a confident boy but can be clingy at times. I'm more worried about him going to the toilet as he still needs help and insists on having his pants and shorts taken fully off! I'm not looking forward to the three journeys to school a day!