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Original poster

When does your reception child start school?- settling in overkill?

86 replies

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 08/07/2021 16:36

My nearly 4 year old is starting school in September and we have just received her start dates (“s”- plural)… 1 meet the teacher session one day- 20mins- 2 stay and play sessions the following wk (diff days each an hr), 2 staggered start days, she won’t start officially until the 19th. Whilst I appreciate some children might be apprehensive, this seems a tad overkill (what do working parents do- I’m on leave at present)….is this normal? Surely it’s more unsettling surely to stop and start.

OP posts:
Changechangychange · 08/07/2021 19:43

Wow, some very different approaches to ours. We’ve been emailed a powerpoint slideshow about EYFS, and a link to the uniform shop. Absolutely nothing about the school itself. I don’t even know which class DS is in (it’s a big 3 form entry school). Just turn up at 9am on 1st Sept and hope for the best Shock. Maybe they will send more info closer to the time, but it didn’t sound like it from the email.

Original poster
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 08/07/2021 19:54

Oh wow v varied prep- I’m grateful our school has spoken with the nursery to get a debrief on DD, we have her new teachers name and picture on our welcome letter- just to say it’s not all negative.

OP posts:
newnortherner111 · 08/07/2021 20:14

OP I agree with you it is overkill, and if there are children with diagnosed or undiagnosed neurodiversity or SN it is especially unhelpful.

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HandlebarLadyTash · 08/07/2021 20:30

Took 3 weeks to get through the school settling stage.
Kid 1 we used loads of annual leave ( & then had to use kids clubs in the holidays because of limited annual leave)
Kid 2, I had been signed off work for a couple of weeks with a bad neck & about the only thing I coud do was walk, ahh the pain, couldn't sit, lie down but could walk.
Both kids had been at nursery full days 3/ 4 days a week & really didn't need the settling process. I think the school have changed it to a week in recent yrs - hail the parent pressure Grin

gymbummy · 08/07/2021 20:55

We've got all this bollocksy nonsense to look forward to as well.... Why? Who has decided this is a good idea?

Hotcuppatea · 08/07/2021 21:00

I feel everyone's pain. My kids were in nursery from.when they were tiny and I couldn't understand this extended settling in period either. The school.did half days to a week and a half and I remember asking if there was any way this could be accelerated.

It turns out school wiped them both out. They were absolutely knackered by lunch. My daughter reverted to afternoon naps. My son was found asleep in the book corner by the teacher. By Christmas they were shattered.

Figgygal · 08/07/2021 21:00

We’ve had 2 15 minute visits to meet his teachers
6th September he has 10 minute zoom call with teacher
Rest of that week he’s in 1-3!!
Second week he is in 8.45-12-15
Third week Mon-Wed 8.45-1
Thursday 23rd he’s finally in FT

Only achievable because of lots of leave and my mum moving in for a week and a half as she’s coming from other side of the country

Megan2018 · 08/07/2021 21:01

My friend had this nonsense with her DD, she just kept her in chlldcare until the first full time school day.
School didn’t like it, but tough.

Orangeinmybluelightcup · 08/07/2021 21:02

Ha, mine doesn't start school full time until 30th Sept!!! Practically in time for half term... He's been going to the on site pre school 4 days a week for a year... Its stupid and a total ball ache.

ImFree2doasiwant · 08/07/2021 21:05

Straight into full days here. The school have done 6 optional hour long settling in sessions (1 a week , sane day and time) and they have a half day coming up during the last week of term. Optional home visit.
So grateful for this!!

Bakingdiva · 08/07/2021 21:08

My dd started last year. She did 2 mornings of stay and play (Thursday & Friday) and then was full on from the Monday. In non-Covid times the stag and plays are in June and the kids are in full time from day 1. It seems to work here.

EastWestWhosBest · 08/07/2021 21:10

I have taught reception for many years.
One year we did the whole staggered start thing and I can confidently say it made fuck all difference.
Those that were nervous/upset/shy were just the same with the staggered start as the bite the bullet and all go in at one start.

One year we had proposed a staggered start and we had several parents saying that they knew they had the right to demand full time education from the off. We stopped it for all except those who wanted mornings only by choice that year. Of the ones who said they wanted mornings only they all went full days after the first week.

As for home visits, I have done them too.
And to the PP who said it’s checking you don’t live in a crack den, it has happened before that the teacher home visit has been what started the school keeping a close eye on a child who ended up in care after suffering shocking abuse.

Santastealer · 08/07/2021 21:12

September 1st full days full time.

He will have had 2 one hour sessions in July before and that’s all .

foxessocks · 08/07/2021 21:16

Mine doesn't start full time until 27th September. We are having to use up a lot of annual leave, all of it between two of us in fact to cover summer holidays and September!
On a positive note, my dd had the same when she started and she did settle in really well (but perhaps she would have done anyway!)

Unexpectedbaby · 08/07/2021 21:21

We had an intake morning this month for an hour and a half. Then September it's 2 half day and then straight to full time from day 3

Uniformicorn · 08/07/2021 21:21

My two started reception in different schools in different areas of the country (we moved, I don't have some crazy school run 😅) and we were fortunate that both schools were pragmatic. DS: 2 short mornings home before lunch, two longer mornings home after lunch and playtime. Then full time. DD: one morning home before lunch, one afternoon start after lunch and then one long morning home after lunch and play - then full time.

I'm a SAHM and still thought that was plenty - much more than that is overkill.

converseandjeans · 08/07/2021 21:34

When DD started we had 5 weeks of this so it was October before they were FT. Also they weren't allowed to start after school club until they were full time in school. This was almost 10 years ago and I can still remember the stress. We're both teachers so couldn't take any days off.

Original poster
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 08/07/2021 22:22

@converseandjeans

When DD started we had 5 weeks of this so it was October before they were FT. Also they weren't allowed to start after school club until they were full time in school. This was almost 10 years ago and I can still remember the stress. We're both teachers so couldn't take any days off.
Seriously? Do we just think this is to save teachers work, because quite honestly a child will adjust regardless of stay and play sessions
OP posts:
SockQueen · 08/07/2021 22:40

@OnlyFoolsnMothers let's not start bashing the "lazy" teachers before they've even got started!

I completely agree that the individual children will adjust pretty quickly, but can see the benefit of a week or two of shorter sessions with reduced class sizes both for the kids in getting used to the environment and structure of school without the sensory overwhelm of 30 kids, and for the teachers having a bit more time with each child to get to know them and settling them in.

My DS has been doing 3 x 10 hour days a week in nursery since 9 months old, so is very used to long hours away from home. But I'm very aware that school will still be a big transition - new setting, new people (nobody from his nursery is going to the same school) and different expectations. He has possible SEN and struggles with changes to his routine, so while he's excited about the concept of going to school I'm not sure how the reality will work out. So I'm glad to have a week of shorter sessions just to get to grips with things a bit. I've taken AL for that week, so I am glad it doesn't go on for longer, but I can definitely see the benefit of not throwing everyone in full time on day 1!

His school have impressed me with how involved they've already been - their SENCO went to visit him at nursery and observe him with his keyworker, and they've arranged for him to come in for a couple of extra visits after school hours so he can at least have a look round his classroom before he starts properly. Just keeping everything crossed for a smooth transition!

80Days · 08/07/2021 22:40

DC3 is starting Reception in September, and it’s straight into full days from day 1. They’ve had a transition morning in Reception already.

The school has an attached nursery, I think a good proportion of the Reception intake are coming up from the school nursery so presumably reasonably familiar with the staff and school already.

SemiFeralDalek · 08/07/2021 22:50

Reception start full-time from day 1, but they have their nursery teacher in with them to give an easier transition the first week of term, which is why nursery starts the week later.

The nursery staggered start was a week of a couple of half days, a couple of days till after dinner and then a full day. 10 kids in first week then adding the rest of the kids in. My ds was in the first week. It worked well for him and I was glad of it. I'm a SAHM which makes a difference.

Original poster
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 08/07/2021 22:56

[quote SockQueen]@OnlyFoolsnMothers let's not start bashing the "lazy" teachers before they've even got started!

I completely agree that the individual children will adjust pretty quickly, but can see the benefit of a week or two of shorter sessions with reduced class sizes both for the kids in getting used to the environment and structure of school without the sensory overwhelm of 30 kids, and for the teachers having a bit more time with each child to get to know them and settling them in.

My DS has been doing 3 x 10 hour days a week in nursery since 9 months old, so is very used to long hours away from home. But I'm very aware that school will still be a big transition - new setting, new people (nobody from his nursery is going to the same school) and different expectations. He has possible SEN and struggles with changes to his routine, so while he's excited about the concept of going to school I'm not sure how the reality will work out. So I'm glad to have a week of shorter sessions just to get to grips with things a bit. I've taken AL for that week, so I am glad it doesn't go on for longer, but I can definitely see the benefit of not throwing everyone in full time on day 1!

His school have impressed me with how involved they've already been - their SENCO went to visit him at nursery and observe him with his keyworker, and they've arranged for him to come in for a couple of extra visits after school hours so he can at least have a look round his classroom before he starts properly. Just keeping everything crossed for a smooth transition![/quote]
No you’re right the teachers do seem lovely- but I do think the rationale is backwards…for children that will struggle with adjusting I don’t think an hr one day and near on a wks break is much help. Cest la vie!

OP posts:
Vanityfairest · 08/07/2021 22:56

Mine is going into year 1 but last year when she started she only did Thursdays and Fridays for the first 4 weeks.

EmmaJR1 · 08/07/2021 23:05

It's crazy!

Currently in week 3 of 4, once per week of 1 hr stay and play sessions

Then in September week1, 9-12 plus a home visit.
Week 2 9 - 130
Week 3 starts full time.

Ds already does 3 full nursery days! He's going to pissed when he has to come home!

Smurf123 · 08/07/2021 23:14

My ds is starting nursery school (he's 3.5 we don't have reception in NI)
He doesn't start at all until the 13th September
Then it's 1 week of staying for an hour
Week 2 - 2 hours each day
Week 3 - 2.5 hours which is the full session as our area is so over subscribed they have all gone to dual day to take more kids over the course of the day. Which also means ds only got the afternoon so his day is 1130-2 each day 🙈

Luckily I'll be on maternity leave as I'm also a teacher, otherwise my mum would have been doing it.
I teach P1 in an sen school. We have an induction day for parents and kids in August for an hour followed by half the kids starting on the Monday - full day and then a few more kids join each day with full class in full days by the Friday of first week in September

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