I hate school!

[arizona]

That's me not the child. Well, not exactly, I just wish there was an alternative that didn't have as much emphasis on academic stuff. My ideal for ds aged 4 would be a morning of 'work' followed by an afternoon of hands-on, outdoorsy stuff. Digging up potatoes, feeding the chickens - I know, dream on! My dh thinks I'm mad. At the moment I just feel a bit negative about schools. Ds still doesn't seperate well in the mornings, he often says it's too long until mummy time and he doesn't like playtime. If i was a child I don't think I would enjoy playtimes either, theres too little supervision and guidance especially in the lunchtime break. Anyway, I think I'm just being a bit overprotective, but I do wish i could whisk him away from it all sometimes, but then that's not real life, is it?

I know just what you mean. My two boys have just started reception, and whilst one is just fine, the other says exactly the same as yours. I wish the playtimes were better thought out and ( dream on ) that there weren't 30 in each class- it just seems like too many being thrown in to sink or swim.

it is - it's called a steiner school..... Usually you get some sort of agriculture

btw- I'm a big fan of steiner schools- especially for early years.
Alternativety ask for part time if he's reception, My ds1 only goes 2 mornings a week., But different because he;'s autisic but I know they will be flexible for the mainstream kuds as well (although depends on the school)

Arizona, could you wait until he's 5? Or take him out until he's 5? I agree with you that 4 is often too young for school and that the emphasis should be on play etc at this age.

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Re playtime - our school has had outside organisation (can't remember which, sorry) come in to give training to volunteer year 5 and 6 children, to join the APE club - active play encouragers. They then come into the infant playground, and encourage the younger children to play nicely with one another, and teach them playground games. The school council (the children) also presented a case to another local trust and won funding for some playground games equipment.

Obviously none of this is a replacement for proper playground supervision - but it does help. We have 180 children in the infants, the oldest of whom is 7, and I think they need a lot of help and good role models at this time. Atmosphere in our playgrounds is lovely - absolute zero tolerance of rough or aggressive behaviour.

Thank heavens I am not the only one going through this! My 4yr old started reception in September and after a good first week it has been downhill all they way. Tears on a morning saying he doesn't want to go to school, doesn't like playtime or lunchtime. He went to pre-school nursery(and was v happy) for a year but just mornings and he is struggling with being at school "all day". The teaching staff have reassured me he is fine and making friends it doesn't stop me worrying all day until 3.15pm when I pick him up. I am turning into a nervous wreck and now it's half term he won't want to go back!! When will it get better?!!

Home education is a valid option

My dd dint like school in reception even though it was all play. Now shes in Year 1, nearly 6, she appreciates all the playtime they get as the rest of the time its work work work. I compensate after school and the weekends, I feel its my duty too! I resent having to send her, even though she is learning things at an amazing rate.