What to say to the child who doesn't want to go to school?

[emkana]

My friend is a bit worried about her ds who has just started school in September - he was four in July, so is still quite young. There have been a few tears, and he's said he doesn't want to go to school and wants to stay at home. She doesn't know how to deal with this, so far she's said to him that he has to go to school just like she has to go to work, we all need to do things we don't like etc. But I wonder if he's a bit young for that approach, and if that is not a bit depressing? Shouldn't it still be fun at this stage? But how to convince him that it's fun?
Any tips anyone?

does he say why he doesn't want to go? does he do full days or just half at the moment?

He just says he wants to stay at home with Mummy.
He's been doing full days from the start.
It probably doesn't help that his parents have recently split up and his time is divided between the two.

The school should be a little more understanding then.
He's obviously going through a stressful time, and feeling very insecure.

Perhaps he should do just half days initially, to get a 'feel' for the place.

It does seem a lot to ask of a 4 year old.

Does the school know about the breakup?

I don't think half days are an option - no childcare. I don't know if the school knows about the breakup. To be honest my friend has a bit of an "just get on with" attitude about it all, and isn't too worried, but I feel sorry for the little chap . I just wish there was something she could say/do that would make it sound/feel like more fun to him.