Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Transitioning to primary school...this is not enough?

76 replies

OnToTheNextOneOntoTheNextOne · 16/06/2023 14:14

If you have a child starting primary school in September this year, what are the transitional arrangements to ensure your child settles in to the new school?

My child is starting at a school where the majority of children will be coming from the school nursery and there is not much in the way of transition...

We have a 2 hour transition event coming up, when DC visit the school and meet their teacher and peers (without parents). The plan after that is that DC start full time in September.

I thought it was normal for a phased start in September and for teachers to visit children in their preschools?

OP posts:

Chachachachachachacha · 16/06/2023 14:32

A while ago now but I think we had a staggered start with dc. It’s often not popular with working parents though as it can create childcare issues and I doubt the majority of children need it. There was a thread about it on here the other day.
When I was at school we went on the first day and met our teacher and classmates/saw our classroom etc and everyone was fine!

Original poster

OnToTheNextOneOntoTheNextOne · 16/06/2023 14:42

Yeah, I saw the thread on here the other day about 3 weeks of half days - and thought that would work so well for my child!

For years I listened to my work colleagues complaining about phased starts, so just assumed they were standard, to be inclusive of the children who don't cope well with transitions.

OP posts:

DorotheaHomeAlone · 16/06/2023 14:45

No phased starts at our school. The kids who’ve been to the preschool start (full time) the first day of term and then joined (full time) by the new kids the second day.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery General education

LolaSmiles · 16/06/2023 14:46

A lot of schools are moving away from extended transitions and part time hours because children are entitled to full time hours from September of Reception.

There's a lot of issues with the sorts of transitions outlined on that other thread: mainly the expectation that every child has a parent at home who is able to go up and down to school at random times for several weeks, possibly multiple times if they have siblings.

If you think your child would benefit from a softer start, speak to your child's school to see what is possible.

7Worfs · 16/06/2023 14:46

Mine starts this September, activities are:

End June - a Teddy bear picnic (45min)
Mid-July - taster session (1hr)

Then the first two days are 2hrs each day, then full time.

YouAndMeAndThem · 16/06/2023 14:47

Our school have done 4 step up afternoons with the kids being brought up from Nursery to do activities with their new friends and teacher. But straight into full days at school after the holidays. Most of the kids are doing full days at nursery anyway as they're all funded due to being in Scotland. Would be weird for them to have slow staggered starts. Plus it creates a childcare nightmare!!!!

FriedEggChocolate · 16/06/2023 14:47

I think they stopped teacher visits with Covid. DD is in reception now and had one visit and then 2 week of part time hours but that was it.

Matilda1981 · 16/06/2023 14:48

No phased starts at my primary - three transition mornings, one a week for the next three weeks and then straight in in September. Quite happy with this! It’s my third dd going and it’s been the same process for all of them, one started back in 2016

BreakfastGold · 16/06/2023 14:54

We have:
1st week of Sept: home visit from teacher
2nd week Sept: single half day visit
3rd week Sept: full week of half days
4th week Sept: week of full days but start 30 mins late
1st week Oct: start full time

I'm a lone parent (widowed) working ft and it's a complete nightmare for me. If I could choose she would start full time first week Sept. I honestly think she'd be fine, it seems ridiculous.

SpringOn · 16/06/2023 15:00

our three had one afternoon up at the new school in July. Then full time from September.

Namechange13101 · 16/06/2023 15:07

Mine starts in September-
wc 19 June home visit (teacher also to visit private nursery as DD is one of 5 children going to this school)
1st July 2hr drop in open classroom session
13th July drop off till 12.30pm transition session
September 4th start full time
have to say as a full time working parent I’m grateful that they aren’t doing so 3 week phased start in September as I don’t have the ability to manage that with leave from work etc.

UsingChangeofName · 16/06/2023 15:10

Faffing about with long periods of part time is an absolute nightmare for working parents, and, in truth, doesn't benefit the children on the whole.

Some schools are releasing some staff to go and visit pre-schools during this term, but that gets more and more difficult with school budgets being so tight and less room in the budget to release them.
SEND excepted, most children are fine with a transition visit in July and then starting in September.

MrsSiriusBlack1 · 16/06/2023 15:10

My dc starts in august (Scotland) straight into full days straight away, mainly because the nursery does school hours Mon-Thurs anyway. They do offer to work with parents who’s child isn’t used to this tho.

Embarra55ed · 16/06/2023 15:14

My DC had a meeting with us and the teacher in the classroom the day before starting school, then a reduced timetable for the first week (building up from half days, then half days plus lunch), then full days from a week in. It was perfect IMO.

CatsOnTheChair · 16/06/2023 15:17

Long time ago, but:
Day 1: kids that have been flagged as struggling with transitions, or have never been in childcare.
Day 2: the above, plus kids who hadn't been in the school nursery
Day 3: everyone.

The weeks of messy days would cause havoc with everyone knowing what they are doing - kids just get used to one thing, and it changes.

If half days would suit your child, feel free to ask, but it might not be to their advantage.

Reugny · 16/06/2023 15:17

Just checked with my DD primary school today - no phrase start. They start full time as most kids have been in full-time childcare since 3.

If a child needs a phased start or needs to go part-time for a bit then they will suggest it to that child's parents/guardians.

Comefromaway · 16/06/2023 15:18

Mine did continue into reception class from nursery but lots of children didn't.

There was one half day visit in the summer term then full time from September. There was the option of half days for the first week only but I think only one child took that option and only for the first couple of days.

lifehappens12 · 16/06/2023 15:18

Is your child in any day care or nursery now?

My son has speech delay and additional needs but did full time nursery: 3 weeks of half days would have been so confusing for him so it was better for him to start full time from day 1.

My school though did say that they were open to working with parents about what would work best for the child.

Maybe call then with your concerns. We had an open evening about this time to talk to the head and teachers

Reugny · 16/06/2023 15:19

BreakfastGold · 16/06/2023 14:54

I'm a lone parent (widowed) working ft and it's a complete nightmare for me. If I could choose she would start full time first week Sept. I honestly think she'd be fine, it seems ridiculous.

There was a thread a few days ago that makes it clear that you can tell the school that you want your child in full-time for day 1 or whatever. It is up to you as the parent to argue/suggest that your child goes in part-time not the school.

SpringBunnies · 16/06/2023 15:20

DC school doesn't do staggered start. It's a relief to working parents.

dimples76 · 16/06/2023 15:20

My DD's teacher has been to meet DD and the 4 other children who are going from her nursery to the school. Then there are 2 two hour visits in July. My DS has special needs and he had about 4 additional visits to help him to transition. Like DS, DD will start FT from September. It is exhausting for them starting school though even when they're used to nursery. I remember my DN falling asleep in his tea on his first week.

TheCheeseTray · 16/06/2023 15:31

Youngest had one taster day back in the July with a finish at 3 pm and parents invited in from 9-10 and 2-3 if they wanted. Full time start 9-3.10 in class

daughter had a day as youngest. Start part time or full time for first week. Choice of mornings only and collect at lunch or morning in reception and afternoon of games, reading, painting or cooking. For first week and then full time.

the school I believe have to accommodate a full Time start

WeWereInParis · 16/06/2023 15:31

Can you request it?

My DD starts in September and thankfully only has a couple of days of phased start (which I think is ideal for her) but they've made it clear they'll work with parents who would like a longer transition.

user1471523870 · 16/06/2023 15:31

We will have:

two one-hour sessions in June at school with no parents, for children to get used to the classroom etc
home visit from teacher in early September
nursery visit from teacher in early September
three days of school ending at 1pm
from day 4 full time for everyone

BreakfastGold · 16/06/2023 15:45

@Reugny@ReugnyI'm tempted but worried about how it would actually play out, I imagine with no other kids in they'd have to... I don't know, stick her in with the Yr 1s for a couple of weeks? More likely I'll book our annual holiday in early Sept and simply miss some of the phased intro because I can't afford to waste the amount of annual leave I'll have to take (which I wouldn't do if she was starting full time, I'd be sure to accommodate that).

Flip

1 2 3 4