Feel worried about Dd starting school in September

[Mummypig2020]

We have just had an email regarding the Dc going back to school. Dd is starting this year and was super excited until lockdown and she’s not been able to go pre school. She’s gone from being confident and happy to literally clinging on to us if we dare leave the house without her. She’s shy, emotional and just so different.

We are only allowed one parent to take her (fair enough 😩😩) and we have to drop her off at the gate and walk away straight away. She’s not allowed to take her teddy/a drink/book bag etc (again fair enough).

I just feel so sad for her. It says to not wear school shoes either because she won’t be able to change for pe, so no need for a pe kit either.

She isn’t 4 yet and I just fear this will set her back even more. She was so excited and is very ready for school but I just feel so sad. Sad for myself too, as she is our last baby and my husbands first and it’s just abit emotional with everything else going on lol :(

I work in early years, so I hope I can help op!
Yes it's going to be very different and I don't doubt it will initially be tough for both children and parents but please be assured that those behind the scenes, will have worked so hard leading up to that first day, to make it as easy as possible for all children (and parents!)

One thing worth noting, in my experience (30 years and counting!) one of the most unsettling things at those early drop offs, is the vast amount of extra adults, siblings, buggies etc it can make the classroom look hugely overwhelming and very noisy. I predict that this year will actually be a lot easier in some ways and although the initial parting maybe difficult for a few days, I think the calmer classroom in the morning will really help the vast majority of children settle quickly into life at school.
Op, has the school sent any photos etc of the new teachers and classroom? We're doing that and also setting up zoom meetings so we can meet our new children and parents online. I'm hoping this will really help!

I am in the same position with DC1, she only turns 4 at the end of August and although I felt she would have been ready for school in September when we had to apply, that was on the basis of her completing 3 terms of pre-school. She only got to complete one term of 15 hours per week and had some time off due to illness. She had only just stopped crying at drop off when pre school closed. I’m really worried about her coping with the change and bitterly regret not pushing for deferred entry to reception.

You can still ask to start at csa. You need to ask admission authority. I have done this and dc is starting at csa in sept. So will be 5y6w. Unlucky its going to be a very disrupted year. But at least dc wont be going into yr1 in a few weeks. She had 9 half term at preschool.
I think it is still going to be hard as an abrupt end to preschool.

Anyway no child needs to be full time until after xmas. (Except csa ones).
Summer borns dont need to start until after easter. Though would have missed a lot. Easter is to keep the place you could still be part time.

Our school is panning a stay and play for sept which does seem a bit odd as mostly school probably arent having parents inside.
Despite being csa if mine strugges due to how strange reception is going to be im going to ask for part time. It's usually play in the afternoons anyway

As a bit of reassurance... DD2 went to Reception/Yr1 at a school which had no parents on school grounds at pick ups/drop offs, just special events. This includes first day (where the teacher collected them at the gate, from then on it was off to play in the playground until the bell). From Day 2 she caught the school bus. Her starting school transition was a lot easier than her sisters, who was terrified of the scrum around the classroom door of parents, siblings etc.

I’m worried too. My dd won’t have met her teacher at all prior to September, even by zoom. So she has to go into a strange place with strange people, alone. I’ve asked the school how they will be supported with the transition but no reply.

It's sad for you because you know what it would have been like not as sad for her because it will be all she know and not any different. My youngest is in reception now even back in September we had to leave them at the door and wasn't allowed to take them into the classroom and for the first half term they went into school in PE kit on PE day.
Hes now back in school and yes things are a bit different than before less toys and different activities but he loves school, runs in smiling and comes home happy. He did comment on the 1st day about the difference in toys but he wasnt upset by it just noticed it was different and accepted the change.
Put your trust in the teachers they will ensure your DD is happy and comfortable in her surroundings and make the best of the resources available.

Hopefully as the months go on more of the interactive play will be allowed but for now she won't know any different.

It might work out ok if it's a calm drop off rather than a playground or classroom full of parents and kids. My DS has been a different child since we decided to send him back in after the lockdown. He's in reception currently and just happily walks into the classroom now, it's very peaceful with no chaos. When it was normal, I had to pry him off me most mornings and this was the case for a lot of the children. They can be so overwhelmed with too many people, this might work in a lot of children's favour.

At 4 they probably dont really remember the settling in sessions that well anyway. Ours were in early jun and school starts sept.
Also dd1 did fine in settling in sessions and maybe ok first week. Then bam hated school got in loads of trouble and had to be dragged up the path.
The boy really upset at settling in was absolutely fine and made loads of friends. (He was 5 in sept).

I think a bigger issue is where some havent been at any preschool since mar so could be unsettled in sept. But also if you end up in a lockdown area or whole country lockdown that is going to be very distruptive early in reception. (Imo they would be better having as many part time as possible making it more likely to have the whole term

I do agree with that. The waiting (they never open the doors till late) and hanging about with my 2 with 120 parents/kids was horrible. Much better in yr 1 when the doors are open and they go in when you get there. Unfortunately our yr 3 was queuing up so again dc messing about.
I honestly hate the crowds so would be happier with staggared drop/picks permanently. Worst was the cake sale in front of school so havimg to fight through the normal crowds and that. Kids can move through crowds a lot quicker too.

I understand op, it makes me feel sad too, my ds isn't 4 yet and was due to start in September, due to lack of transition and uncertainty we have deferred his start until January. It's worth considering other options if you are not sure.