DS starting reception with kids that aren't keen on him

[Sunshining20]

I just found that one boy in particular who goes to my ds nursery is starting reception with him who I've noticed when at parties etc doesn't want my ds to play with him and actively leaves him out and runs away from him despite my ds advances to say hello and join in.
I was so excited for this next chapter for him but now I'm already worrying about him fitting in and this dynamic. The other boy is very popular and has a little 'crew' of boys at nursery which my ds has tried to be a part of but ultimately failed.
I just thought this could be a brilliant new chapter and fresh start for him but I feel like this boy may encourage other new kids at school to treat him the same and not let him play with them. I'm feeling quite sad actually.
Anyone been through anything similar? AIBU? Will school provide different friendship opportunities?

Well there will be more children there than this boy and his 'crew' so plenty of friendship opportunities for your DS. Please dont worry about it. My DS was desperate to be friends with one boy for all of Reception to year 2 then in year 3 they became friends for seemingly no reason whatsoever and now aged 17 they are still friends.

@Littletreefrog oh thank you for your reply! That's reassuring. He's a confident little lad but school is such a big step and I want him to be himself and accepted and go in feeling excited! I guess friendships at this age are ever changing. Maybe I'm pining too much of my own feelings and experience onto the whole scenario..

Is it a single form entry? If there's more than one class maybe you could request your DS is away from the boy who doesn't like him?

Saying that, I found @Littletreefrog 's story very heartening. It's great they are still friends now - and the excitement of school will hopefully shake things up a bit.

I had similar worries, there was 1 girl 'A' at nursery who was oldest in the year, mine was nearly the youngest, and she seemed to have it in for her for no clear reason.
They put them in the same class, and the teachers quickly picked that A was being unkind to my daughter and a couple other younger ones, and a few months in they moved her to the other class which had stronger personalities, so A couldn't be in charge anymore. And my daughter has thrived.
Teachers are very astute at figuring out which personalities do not work well together. Your son will be fine, but it could be worth pre warning them if you get the chance, but focus on your child and their feelings rather than criticising the other child if possible

If there's more than one class then you could ask for your DC to be in the other. If not then you can always have a quiet word at your settling in session and get the teacher to introduce your DC to others and other friendships will no doubt form.

I get why you're disappointed but friendships evolve and change so much in early years so look at the positives.

This was like my brother. He and another boy spent all of playgroup shoving each other off the slide and fighting over toys. My mum was worried about school. Once they started school it was like they were each brand new - which I suppose they were! They were friendly in primary but became closer in secondary.

They are still friends now - well into their forties but still acting like daft kids together!

They are so little, I wouldn't be overly concerned at this stage. Like others have said, things can change totally in the space of such a short time at that age. There will be other children mixed in, the dynamic will be different. Don't be disheartened.

I would also say friendship groups keep changing over primary. My oldest is in year 3, and I would say it's only this year that she has really solidified her friendships, before this they were constantly fluctuating. So try to focus on building that resilience in how to deal with these changes, how to respond to bully's, how to tell a trusted person
Your child will go through ups and downs and at the time they feel huge, but its a learning curve in how to deal with a wide variety of personalities.

Thank you all for your replies.

It is a one form entry. We have a teacher visit and a stay and play soon so may mention as suggested. It's reassuring to hear that dynamics and friendships can be very changeable at this age

I think perhaps because I had one girl plague me from primary to secondary I am a little attuned to these kind of things..

Assuming it's a class of 30, that's something like 24 other kids to play with. If the boy has made it clear he doesn't want to be friends, I'd encourage ds to keep away from him.

Absolutely mention it to the teacher, there is no harm in making them aware even if this child behaves differently in Reception.