Part time school for Reception in September

[domestichiefofstaff]

school when DD3 starts reception in September? I'll have to take 6 days off work if I can't find childcare - tell me your reception starter horror stories so mine doesn't seem so bad - starting 2 days later than sisters and then 2 weeks of half days!!!

It's about developing school/home relationship too.

Lol yeah relationships are a 2 way thing. It is also harder the second time round when you have had to take time off during the school holidays. So I already have a home/school relationship and am generally reasonable and laid back. But that home visit has boiled my piss.

If it is going to cost you two weeks of lost income then YES be that parent. The school isn't going to hold a grudge forever and your child won't remember the odd start after a bit. By the time you get to year 6 you won't even know why you cared.

Why would you be "that parent"?

Maybe because some parents need to work and already have to use up all their annual leave to cover school holidays so simply don't have the option of taking two or more weeks off in order to accommodate the schools wishes regarding settling in.

DC2 had 9-11:30 then 12:30-3 we live 30 minutes from school so we spent an hour for two weeks on the school field having a picnic was joyful with a 5 week old baby! DC2 enjoyed school and would of been upset if DC hadn't gone back in the afternoon!

DC3 will be going for the morning luckily DC3 is very easy going would rather go socialising with me at my groups and volunteering. Head won't be happy but she won't be legal age and I'll be taking her out one afternoon a week till the term after her 5th to spend quality time with her. There in school for so long I want to make the most our time together before she "grows" up

We have 3 half days this term, the first Monday back a 2 he session for parents to also attend. A day off. Then 2.5 weeks of 2.5 hours

Our school drive me nuts with this. My eldest started reception full time from day 1. The next September when dc2 started they were staggered with the 5 youngest children starting on the first day and going home before lunch, the next day they stayed for lunch and the third day they stayed all day. Day 4 another five started and went home before lunch, then staying for lunch etc. Dc2 was one of the oldest in the class and didn't start until the end of September and ended up only having three weeks of being there all day before they broke up for half term.

I'm dreading my youngest starting next year as helis birthday is the beginning of October so he'll likely be the eldest and last of his class to start.

This stupid system really impacted on dc2 as he was more than ready for school and he ended up missing four weeks of term and found it difficult to get used to being at school after 10 weeks off over summer.

I agree that some children do need easing into full time school slowly but those who don't should be able to go full time from the off. Dc1 was absolutely ready for school and was fine being 'dropped in at the deep end' and going full time from the beginning, apart from the usual tiredness from the long day at school.

I think when ds starred it was something like...

Week 1.
Thurs and Fri.
9-12.

Week 2

Mon-wed 9-12
Thurs and Fri, 9-1 so they stayed for lunch.

Week 3.
Mon 9-1 (including lunch)
Tues 1-3
Wed 9-1 (lunch again)
Thurs 12-3
Fri 9-1

Week 4. Might have actually done a full day!