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Original poster

3 weeks of half days for reception children.

614 replies

Tohaveandtohold · 11/06/2023 23:04

So my child is starting reception in sept and we got an email on Friday of their plans for
their transition and the new term. My main issue is they expect them to do 3 weeks of half day so half of the class will do 9-12 the first 2 weeks and then at week 3 they’ll be there for lunch so 9-12:45. The other half of the class will do half day in the afternoon.
I just feel this is out of touch. My child currently goes to nursery 4 days a week doing 8-6 though she’s picked up around 5 anyway and has never been clingy, so I can’t see how 3 weeks of half day will benefit her. Also we both work, luckily I’ll only go to the office 2 days a week so dh will pick up those days and we’re not using up all our annual leave unnecessarily. Can I request she only does half day for a week and that they have to provide her with full time education.
Like I don’t want to be ‘that’ parent at the beginning of her school journey but I feel 3 weeks is just ridiculous and out of touch

OP posts:
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8
FreddieMercurysCat · 13/06/2023 11:37

This is standard practice at all the schools in my area.

NowItsLikeSnowAtTheBeach · 13/06/2023 12:08

A lot of schools now do the home visits during the last week of the summer term on the 'stepping up days' for their other students. Current Reception goes to Year 1, and so forth, year 6 goes to secondary, and reception teachers do home visits (if they still do those)

Parker231 · 13/06/2023 12:26

Hopefully if nothing else, posters now understand that if they want, for whatever reason, their DC’s to start school, full time from day one, they can - regardless of whether the school has a staggered start process in place. Just let the school know your decision as soon as possible. It’s your choice.

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notafruit · 13/06/2023 13:06

My kids primary school started off by doing 2 weeks of settling in, half the class did mornings, half afternoons, then swapped the second week.
By the time my last DC was there the kids went straight into full time.

The teachers said that all the messing about just makes it harder for kids to settle in, especially those that struggle to adapt to a new routine. Going straight into full time made it easier for staff and pupils.

Theprincessisblanketed · 13/06/2023 14:10

Our school does this.

My child's close friends from nursery were in the other half of the alphabet so she cried every day of her first week as she had to watch them all come out of school together and go play in the playground across the road from the school as she was going in.

Not looking forward to it with my next child as timings mean they will have to walk with me to drop older sibling off and back before they go and after for one of the weeks, which means they will do three times the amount of school run walking as normal and will inevitably get tired legs and be grumpy.

Parker231 · 13/06/2023 14:40

Theprincessisblanketed · 13/06/2023 14:10

Our school does this.

My child's close friends from nursery were in the other half of the alphabet so she cried every day of her first week as she had to watch them all come out of school together and go play in the playground across the road from the school as she was going in.

Not looking forward to it with my next child as timings mean they will have to walk with me to drop older sibling off and back before they go and after for one of the weeks, which means they will do three times the amount of school run walking as normal and will inevitably get tired legs and be grumpy.

Why don’t you send them full time from day one? Your choice.

SunnyEgg · 13/06/2023 14:45

Parker231 · 13/06/2023 14:40

Why don’t you send them full time from day one? Your choice.

Show quote history

I admit I was not aware it was a choice. Although I’m not sure who they would be with as teachers and TAs were off site doing home visits

Not sure it would hand changed anything for us but that it is a choice wasn’t part of information

Parker231 · 13/06/2023 16:04

SunnyEgg · 13/06/2023 14:45

I admit I was not aware it was a choice. Although I’m not sure who they would be with as teachers and TAs were off site doing home visits

Not sure it would hand changed anything for us but that it is a choice wasn’t part of information

Show quote history

It’s showing up how bad some schools are at communicating properly. Not a good start for new parents.

Phoenixfire1988 · 13/06/2023 16:23

Ours do this aswell and it's very annoying especially when you have older children at school so you end up doing 3 round trips a day , by the time you get back home there's little time for anything else before you are heading back again totally pointless

SouthLondonMum22 · 13/06/2023 16:36

Parker231 · 13/06/2023 16:04

It’s showing up how bad some schools are at communicating properly. Not a good start for new parents.

Show quote history

This is what bothers me. It should be communicated to parents clearly that it is a choice.

It's like some schools just cross their fingers and hope the parents don't ask questions.

letloz · 13/06/2023 17:09

I questioned the half days thing at my school (though that only went on for 3 days, not 3 weeks!) and I was told they legally did have to have them thr full time right from the start if parents requested that (I didn't need to in the end, but useful to know!)

LolaSmiles · 13/06/2023 17:24

This is what bothers me. It should be communicated to parents clearly that it is a choice.
It's like some schools just cross their fingers and hope the parents don't ask questions
Agree with this.
They should be clear that children are entitled to full time hours but that they offer part time hours for the first X weeks for those families who think their child would benefit from it.

GUARDIAN1 · 13/06/2023 18:41

I can understand having a settling in period but three weeks seems excessive to me. I can't see how it benefits the children and it must be a nightmare for working parents.

Miisty · 13/06/2023 18:56

My son had this 32 years ago was a right pain as I worked as a midwife over 20 miles away so out of date luckily I had a lovely childminder who picked him up otherwise he would ave had to wait until he started full time schooling .Some schools so out of touch with working parents

Owl55 · 13/06/2023 19:00

I worked in a reception class and we had part-time sessions for 3 weeks until so many parent wrote on a feedback survey that they found it difficult to manage with work . We changed it the following year. I must admit it was great for most children and enabled the staff to complete the profile / assessments required on entry . It is now a week due to parent pressure . I seem to remember only 1 child requested to come full time from the start and it was allowed .

Parker231 · 13/06/2023 19:05

Owl55 · 13/06/2023 19:00

I worked in a reception class and we had part-time sessions for 3 weeks until so many parent wrote on a feedback survey that they found it difficult to manage with work . We changed it the following year. I must admit it was great for most children and enabled the staff to complete the profile / assessments required on entry . It is now a week due to parent pressure . I seem to remember only 1 child requested to come full time from the start and it was allowed .

What do you mean it was allowed? It’s the parents choice not the schools decision.

ILoveEYFS · 13/06/2023 19:10

I would definitely ask. The answer maybe that they are doing it for her own good so as not to upset her etc etc. Stand your ground and do not be afraid to say it is a step back for her so could be detrimental to her wellbeing. Our school do it in 3 days over 3 weeks.

Monday 10 children start for ½ day (group 1)
Tuesday group 1 stay for lunch
Wednesday group 1 stay all day and group 2 starts
Thursday group 2 (5 children) stay for lunch group 1 stays all day
Friday group 1 and 2 stay all day
Monday group 3 starts
And the process starts again.
Occasionally children don't settle and need a bit longer but it isn't the norm and is judged on a child by child basis.

Completelydonechick · 13/06/2023 19:31

I think mine did a transition week and then I bunged him in full time! Same as you, he was used to doing full time nursery days so it seemed daft to prolong it….I think over a half term!! The school was fine with it! Great for kids who have never been at nursery , but not necessary for those who have. Ask the school, I’m sure they will accommodate it, especially if in the best interest of the child.

Stardustmoon · 13/06/2023 19:32

EYFS lead and agree this is mad. Ours are in full time from day one and cope well. Sets expectations from day one. You can request to go full-time from day one. Technically they have to provide provision.

Toomuchtrouble4me · 13/06/2023 19:44

It’s quite common. Lunchtimes are the trickiest to navigate for 30 new kids so it’s best to get half trained first and then the others. If there are tears - it’s usually in the big strange noisy ouch hall.

MarnieCres · 13/06/2023 19:44

ChocChipHandbag · 13/06/2023 07:27

Not helped either by all these private nurseries that apparently accept school age kids to cover the hours they are legally entitled to be in school - nice little earner for them, isn't it?

Some do them ( and transition sessions) when year 6 do their transition days to secondary. Easy as everyone ‘shuffles’ up a year!

Toomuchtrouble4me · 13/06/2023 19:47

No they don’t, not for reception - parents don’t have to send them either. Compulsory provision is yr 1. I’m surprised as EYFS lead you don’t know this.

Parker231 · 13/06/2023 19:49

Toomuchtrouble4me · 13/06/2023 19:47

No they don’t, not for reception - parents don’t have to send them either. Compulsory provision is yr 1. I’m surprised as EYFS lead you don’t know this.

If you read earlier up the thread the legislation is included showing that children starting reception are entitled to receive full time education from day one. It’s parental choice.

RightWhereYouLeftMe · 13/06/2023 19:56

Toomuchtrouble4me · 13/06/2023 19:47

No they don’t, not for reception - parents don’t have to send them either. Compulsory provision is yr 1. I’m surprised as EYFS lead you don’t know this.

The age children are required to be in full time education is not the same as the age they are entitled to it.

wellstopdoingitthen · 13/06/2023 20:37

Our school just does one half day & then full days, they admit youngest first so they have time without too many children. Works well.

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