What will happen when children start reception?

[delilabell]

First I need to put a disclaimer that I suffer from depression and anxiety!
This is currently playing on my mind so much I'm going to have to ask the dr if I can up my ads. I feel sickening worry.
My dd (3,4next month) starts school in September.
She is very clingy to me although she loved being at pre school before all of this and misses it dreadfully.
I'm so worried that she'll cry when shes away from me and nobody will be allowed to hug or kiss her. She'll be taught sat on her own on a desk. She wont be able to play close to other children even in the playground so wont name friends.
I want to cry even writing this.
How will tiny ones be able to cope with this??

I know its late but anyone?

In Reception they don't sit at desks! It is learning through play at that age. Some of them will struggle even to sit on a mat for storytime, but that's expected for their age/stage. Don't worry, formal school comes later.

It absolutely will not be like that. It is impossible to have social distancing in a school. The children in reception do not learn at desks in that formal way, it’s all through play, exploration and group activities. She will have every opportunity to make new friends. My son starts reception this year and I am also anxious about it as I don’t know what the first couple of weeks will look like (and I work in the school he will be attending) but i know of no school that would have their new reception children in the circumstances you describe. It might be a little different in September to other years, but it will be just as nurturing, welcoming and enjoyable for her. The children don’t know what September normally looks like anyway so they will just go with the flow

Do you mean because of social distancing OP?

First of all, it’s normal to worry how our kids will cope with new situations, but rest assured she won’t be the only one! It will be a major adjustment for everyone, and likely to be a slow start ( in our school it’s 2 weeks of half days before going full time)
My daughters first year teacher was very much like her preschool, with the care and attention that such young kids need.

I can’t advise on ADs but maybe start researching books to read to her about school so you can focus on something positive?
We like Starting School by Janet and Allen Allberg. A little old fashioned in places but my y1 daughter still reads it regularly.

It's impossible to have social distancing with kids that young. If/ when schools go back, they won't be having a class of reception kids sitting at desks all day or staying at specific distances from one another.

I agree with the pp that whatever it looks like in September, your child won't know any different.

Yes sorry I forgot to say I mean because of coronavirus.
I just worry so much no one will cuddle her if shes scared or worried or upset.
Books about starting school is a good idea.

Well you wouldn't be able to have a full class of reception children socially distancing for a start. There simply isn't enough room in a classroom. I really feel that they wont go back until it is deemed safe enough for school to resume as normal. The older ones may well go back earlier as they will be able to understand it and cope better with it. Please try not to worry OP. It is a long way off yet and things are changing daily. Maybe try some grounding exercises/mindfulness to stay in the present. Sorry you are feeling like this - it is such a strange time!

I'm a Nursery teacher and have taught in Reception as well for several years. I think the reality is that when we go back to school it will have to be on the basis that little children need contact to feel cared for. It is impossible to make a little child feel comforted when standing up at a distance away from them.

I know in our school we will adapt the transition to take into account that children have not been able to socialise or have the experience of being away from parents and I imagine a lot of schools will do the same.

I think the best thing you can do is talk to their teacher at the time and share your worries and concerns and hopefully they will be able to put your mind at ease.

If your daughter has loved preschool in the past I'm sure they will love Reception as well! This time next year you will look back and be amazed at how well she has settled!

Your daughter is Summer born and you could probably delay her starting reception until the term after she turns five (September 2021). She would then be starting at compulsory school age. If you feel she isn’t ready / she’s s unprepared then have a look at the Facebook group ‘flexible school admissions for Summer born children’ - you’ll find good advice there.

If schools are expected to socially distance then the return will be phased and I think reception children just won't go back at the same time as older kids. 4 and 5 year olds just can't socially distance - heck, my 13 year old was chatting over the fence to a 7 year old neighbour today, DH said he took his eye off them for 4 seconds and they were suddenly standing together. I think very little children will either go back to school in very small groups with testing, or they'll be off for longer than older children. Please don't worry OP. Teachers know kids and won't accept a situation where wee ones are sitting in a 2m box with no cuddles.

I am in school with key worker children at the moment and we have some reception children in. Social distancing with that age is impossible. They play as normal. I still give them a hug if they are upset, although I try to make it a brief one. As a teacher, I could never not comfort an upset child.

Thank you so much everyone. In so worried about it all.
@TheHarryFormerlyKnownAsPrince wed debated giving her an extra year but she seems very ready for school and has her friends that will be going at the same time as her. Shes just not very good with being away from me. When shes used to things she loves them.
You have all reassured me a lot
I dont think its helped having her at home and so close to me .it was easier when she was in the rhythm of pre school (and me )

Remember all children are in the same position. None are currently in nursery with their peers, so none are behind. It may be a bit different for the staff working with this cohort.

Phased entries are common anyway and schools may make more use of this under current circumstances.

She’ll get used to it again and all will be well. It’s typically a fairly gentle start might even be more so this year. It will be ok.

Starting school by Alan Ahlberg (I think) is a good book if you want one.

Hi op, I'm working in a school with key worker children, most of them in the younger years. They are so happy and absolutely loving this time of no real lessons and lots of play. If they are upset or have an accident we comfort them, it's impossible not to, and although they eat 2 seats apart at lunch time (which doesn't bother them in the least) they play together in the playground same as any other time. It is virtually impossible to keep small children 2 metres apart and I don't think this will be enforceable once schools are back in tbh, which makes me feel grateful that on the whole, covid doesn't seem to make children very poorly. Try not to worry about things that are highly unlikely to be as you are imagining. Anxiety is awful and can make you over think, I understand, but I hope this reassures you somewhere.

In Reception they don't sit at desks

They have tables for art etc but aren't there often.

You're all really helping me thank you. I think it's just the unknown that stresses me out so much