To not go to school settling in sessions?

[TableTime99]

I'm a lone parent, and am struggling to work out how I will attend my son's settling in sessions for school. I have a bit of annual leave but would have to take a whole afternoon on the same day at the same time for 3 weeks in a row, which would mean cancelling lots of meetings. It's likely to get declined. For those who have been to these things, would you say they are useful/vital to attend?

You can take unpaid leave or ask for adjusted hours for three weeks. Who is going to be doing school runs for you when he starts school and can they take him? I’d say it’s important that he goes to two at least. It’s unfair on him to start with zero familiarity when there’s the opportunity to work out where the pegs are / bathrooms / what the teacher looks like etc .it’ll be a big adjustment and these sessions make it substantially easier. It’s a good adjustment for you as well to help you work out what you’ll do for cover when nativity plays / sports days / sickness etc happens! & the bonus is you will probably meet some other parents at the same time- suspect a bunch will go for coffee while the kids have their session

How are you fixed for September phased starts? Schools can have up to six weeks of half days - so difficult for single working parents.
www.mumsnet.com/talk/primary/4580836-primary-settling-in-sessions

They are handy but he won't miss much if you can't attend all of them. I'd recommend trying to get to one if possible just so he's been inside the classroom before September.

I would however make sure you're prepared for the possibility of staggered starts depending on how your school organises their F2s start to school. Have you asked them what the settling in process looks like?

I wouldn't worry too much if you can't get the time off work I had similar issues when my eldest started primary school - you may want to go to one so you both can meet the teacher ect but there could easily be other kids joining the class confirmed over summer holidays which won't join the sessions, and i'm sure most kids will settle in very quickly on their first day.