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Original poster

Pre-Prep Assesment

13 replies

aussiemum2015 · 10/01/2018 15:46

Hello

Am after some advice please.

We are looking at primary school options for our ds and looking in the private, state sectors as just want a good rounded education. Not ruling anything out.

DS had his pre prep assessment today for entry into Reception (he is 2.5 nearly).

He wasn't having any of it, he wasn't happy unless i was in the room.

There were other children and teachers in the room. (there is 1 teacher per child). They advised to come back at 1:30 today and my mother in law took him, again, not having it.

They are giving me some more dates.

My question is. Is there a way I can make things a bit easier for him when he gets to the school next time?

It must be hard for him.

It isn't a case of he has to attend and we are not looking at other options, but would be a shame he wasn't considered because he felt nervous and they couldn't watch him like the others.

He currently goes to a Montesorri nursery so used to mixed age group and quite a few children.

Any thoughts?

Many thanks,

OP posts:
CruCru · 10/01/2018 17:09

I would say that under 3 is young to be assessed for entry to a school - does the school start a year before Reception?

What was the reason for him refusing to do the assessment? If he wasn’t in the mood that day then okay but if it was more that he didn’t like the feel of the place, that is a bit more tricky.

Tell him that after the assessment, you will take for an ice cream. However, if he still refuses, then you will have to write it off.

Eyesshut · 10/01/2018 17:53

Hmm, I guess this might not work given you've had two attempts before, but we told DS he'd get to play with some exciting toys at a big boy school.

If the school are keen to help maybe tell them what his favourite toy / activity is so they can offer that to him straight away on arrival.

Good luck

Original poster
aussiemum2015 · 10/01/2018 18:57

Thank you. I think next go is in two weeks.

May take the day off so we can have some fun before and after with ice cream after coming out

OP posts:
jellycat1 · 11/01/2018 10:38

Wow 2.5 is crazy early to assess for Reception. Is this for Sept 19? They'll all change so much between now and then. Anyway I assume they know what they're doing! They'll certainly be used to these issues.

jennawade · 11/01/2018 10:39

Entry to reception in September 2019? Surely that's way too early?

V tricky though if he's already refused twice as the location will have negative associations for him?

I would say keep it calm before you go - just talk through what he will do and make it seem interesting. Maybe have some favourite sweets stashed so that he knows they're waiting for him when he's finished?

Original poster
aussiemum2015 · 11/01/2018 15:28

thanks.

I agree, it is ridiculous and i had a long conversation with his nursery this morning about it and whether he will change in two weeks. Am going to sit on it and decide next week.

jennawade - it would be entry this September for early years.

OP posts:
Scarlettpimpersmell · 11/01/2018 20:36

Why can't they just assess with you in the room? Just sitting quietly in a corner not interfering? It seems mad to me that schools won't accept two year olds because they won't skip off with a total stranger. Why would they? It's completely normal behaviour.

jellycat1 · 12/01/2018 10:20

So it's entry to Nursery not Reception. In which case I find it quite odd that they're taking them all off into a room with no familiar adult. At DS's school they just observe them playing - in the company of their parents. There's an extensive 3+ thread somewhere in this section so maybe ask on that one too as lots of parents going through it.

Lalalandfill · 14/01/2018 16:25

Years ago dd1 was assessed for reception and wouldn't go in without me, unsurprisingly since she was 3. I sat in and she was offered a place. I wouldn't be hugely impressed by a school that judged a 2 year old who wasn't happy being without his mum in a new environment and make allowances for that.

pigshavecurlytails · 15/01/2018 12:38

Is this for Highgate? It's very random if so.

Mycarsmellsoflavender · 15/01/2018 13:09

This sounds crazy to me. Why can't you stay in the room? He's 2!

jennawade · 15/01/2018 13:12

School like this v close to us in SE London- parents used to get to sit in but after years of Mummy trying to help little Freddy they stopped that. Kids go in with a nursery/reception teacher by themselves.

Most kids are evidently ok with it.

The session that school runs is play-based with a series of activities which look at how the child communicates and works things out. Think jigsaws, listening to a story, doing a jigsaw and drawing a picture.

Hope it works out.

Original poster
aussiemum2015 · 15/01/2018 21:36

Hi.

I’ve deferred his application to next year - upon reflection I feel really stupid after the first session to let him go again and like I was some mum who had to get him in. I’m not and he doesn’t.

He is only 2 and after a long discussion with his current nursery (which he loves), it was crazy to send him again.

Some children are ok with it, a lot of them there were older so assuming going for 4+.

The school (DPL) were really nice about it and asked how he was and of course I can defer his application to next year.

Still looking at good local state schools but we need to move for that.

Thank you all for your help

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