Primary school nerves

[MamaKatja]

I would be really grateful for some top tips on soothing my dd's fears of starting reception in a few days.

She is generally quite reserved until she knows people and a setting well, at which point she really opens up. She is a bit scared of the first day in reception, which is not helped by the school having a very quick settling in process. The whole family have had a 20 minute meeting with the teachers, and next week there are two slightly shorter days before normal school days. Teachers have made it clear they want me to hand her over at the door and leave right away, which is probably wise. No cuddly toys allowed, probably also wise.

Still, dd has told me she is a bit scared, and I would like to make it easy enough for her to also enjoy herself during her first day(s) at school. Taking her fears seriously, and reminding her that she was also scared initially of going to her childminder whom she now loves dearly have helped a bit. But do any of you have any other tips?

The perfume dab on cuff is a good one as she can smell it and feel reassured. Be really positive and say things like ‘You are going to have a fun day’ rather than ‘You night be sad but it won’t be long’ etc.
As an Early Years TA can I also suggest making everything you can easy for her - no new water bottles or sandwich boxes that are stiff and hard to open, be clear if she is going to after school club or being picked up by granny or something different and label EVERYTHING. The number of little meltdowns we have each day that could easily be avoided in unbelievable and whereas most children shrug them off in a few minutes, there are those children who can fixate on them. Good luck to you both