Do nurseries share information about children with their intended primary school?

[SnowPetrel]

Just this, really: and if they do, what sort of information? And presumably parents are able to "opt out" of the information being shared? Would be grateful if anyone can tell me.

Preschools pass on information, not sure about private nurseries. I've never been asked whether I approved this or not (4 children, 4 different preschools).

The preschool that my kids went to sent their EYFS folder to the primary school. So all their observations, planning, trackers etc. Why would you want to opt out of that being shared so the primary school know what your child can/can't do before they start which will help their initial planning.

I'm not sure about any other information, but I guess things like SEN / SLT involvement might be shared as well so the support can transfer with the child.

And the nursery that I used for one of them passed on the observations folder to the subsequent childminder, and the childminder also sent EYFS information to the school. Pretty sure I was never asked, although I did sign something to say the childminder could work with the school / preschool.

My dd's nursery gave me a report I could pass no to the school if I wished.

My ds's playgroup sent a report into school without me knowing about it . It didn't say much though.

Thanks- that helps. I disagree with a few things the nursery have said about DS and do not support them being passed to his school. It would seem logical that you can opt out, as attendance at a childcare/ preschool setting before primary school is not compulsory, therefore there will be some children on whom there is no "file".

They should pass on information they hold about each child- where they assess them to be in the EYFS. It would be considered bad practice not to pass it on. Why wouldn't you want the info passed on, that doesn't make much sense? It is only to help the school plan how best to work with each child and give them a head start on getting to know them. Good nurseries will pass on written info and also speak to the child's new teacher, either at nursery when the teacher visits, or at a meeting at the school. Or maybe both.

Just seen your last message. If you really disagree then why leave your child there from now till September?!

I'm not asking for opinions on my childcare choices, I'm asking a specific question about nursery procedures. Thanks.

There might be quite a few parents that wouldn't like pre-school settings passing on information to schools, doesn't mean it isn't the right thing to do.

Our preschool made a summary of the EYFS info for the school. We were asked to sign it before it was sent off so knew exactly what was in it.

Ok fine. Only trying to help no need to get grouchy with me. Well nursery procedure, as I have already said, is to pass the info on. I doubt you can 'opt out' as it would be seen as not being in the child's interest. Ofsted would not be impressed by a setting who did not liaise with schools.

It is standard practice for the private nursery to pass on information to the new school.
If there is something in the learning journey you disagree with then it would first suggest talking to the nursery about it. When they pass the information to the school I would ask to go and see them and explain to the reception teacher what you disagree with and why.
However I think that your first port of call is to talk to the current nursery about your concerns.

I manage a private day nursery and we pass information on
We write a 13 page transition document on each child and ask the parents to contribute and sign it
I then pass it on to each school. The reception teachers also visit the children in the nursery and I give them the lowdown on each child. This helps the teacher to know what to expect
I have never had any parent opt out

Yes they will pass info on, and the new teacher will probably chat to the nursery teacher/key worker about the child and any issues there might be.

I assume you can opt out by writing to the nursery manager and making it clear you don't want any information shared.

Yes, they do. And, the teacher will have an informal chat to the key worker.

Are you able to say what you disagree with?

I I think that the first thing to do would be to speak to the nursery about their assessments and discuss your concerns.

I'm not sure that you can refuse to give permission for information to be forwarded to the next setting, but it have to say that I've never had a parent ask to do so. If we have safeguarding information, it would be forwarded to the next setting, whether the parent agrees with it or not.

Assessments are the judgements made about a child by the setting. Parents may see their child working at a higher or lower level at home. That doesn't make the nursery assessment wrong. Children behave differently in different settings, with different levels of support.

The other thing to do is to arrange to see the Reception team at the new school and explain why you disagree with the information.

It's normal for information to be shared, but that doesn't stop you adding your own notes.

Private nursery had visits from various reception teachers to meet their new intake.

We were also issued a report to give in to reception. Can't remember if I've passed it in though. Just ticks in boxes re EYFS stuff.

If the nursery have concerns about your child (whether or not you agree with their view), they will pass that on to the school. Verbally, if not in writing. I'm sure you could also put your view as well.

I find this extremely intrusive and would like to refuse, too, unless it is simply very basic information about my child's level of literacy and numeracy, for example. I hope to be allowed to see the information and be given the choice.

I see no reason for information to be gathered and put on file about people from an early age. Aside from it being intrusive in principle, in my experience people who write reports and files tend to misinterpret things according to the perspective their training and own views and lifestyles put upon them, put their own spin on them and often pick on small things that end up set in stone in a report as supposed fact.

I have friends who have decided not to send their children to nursery or pre school because of this intrusive state observation - it makes people feel uncomfortable and scared.

Children in primary and secondary schools are assessed and recorded against a curriculum too Elfen!

The reason for information is be gathered and put on file, is how else is the nursery supposed to track and support a child's development?

It might depend what kind of things you mean, obviously there is a duty to pass on any safeguarding history

You may be able to opt out of sharing development information but the school is likely to ask about nursery attendance so you'd have to either lie or accept their surprise about your request.

I suppose it must have changed since my day...although I suppose primary school info must have been passed onto secondary schools even back in the 80s. The difference is that many people don't see childcare as part of the education system and don't like the idea of state observation of our children's lives outside the basic saying what educational standard they have reached (and preschool seems early for this). Children who do not go to nursery presumably go to school without a record, so primary school teachers must be used to working out a child's abilities without a pre school record.

I can see it might be helpful, however. What information does it contain? I would not mind so much if it just said what numeracy and literacy level my child had reached, but would not be happy with comments on his character, including social aspects, emotional development, attachment issues, as these are personal and subjective and private.

Our nursery passed info on to all the different primaries the kids were going to. If you can say what you disagree with it might help posters help you - but it is really in te child's best interests to have info passed on. Mine are a little older but I thought Nursery and Reception were both EYFS and those big target sheets just continue. I can't really imagine what it is that would make any difference to his Reception experience. It just gives the teacher a bit of a clue about the dc coming to their class.

I believe you have the right to request to see any info passed on (it will be the summer term) and then you could take it up with the primary school depending on what it is.

Elfen - the areas of the EYFS (curriculum that runs through nursery and reception) are communication and language, physical development, personal social and emotional development, literacy, maths, expressive arts and knowledge and understanding of the world. They would also pass on any information on SEN or safeguarding.