Reception phase in

[Edellondon]

So my DC is starting reception this September. The school has organised a bit of a phasing in schedule and some children are attending the reception class the first week while the rest of the class is phased in over the next week. My daughter will be one of the last ones to join the class which I just feel is unfair as she will be going into a nearly full class who have had time to build up their confidence going and even form some friendships. My DD would be quite timid and I just feel she would have benefited from starting earlier. Does this seem like normal reception practice, surely the school should see this doesn't benefit all the children. Has anyone had experience of this?

It is normal Reception practice - my friend's school next to the one my DCs went to didn't take them full time till half term. However, you don't have to agree. They are entitled to a full time education from 1st September (or the day school starts) in the year they turn 5. You can just point this out and send them full time.

I would not insist on it for days that no Reception pupils are in obviously.

My DCs' school had two half days each (first a morning, then an afternoon) then full time.

I dont mind if DD isn't in full time, it would be preferable to phase her in, it just seems that other classmates are getting phased in a week earlier when there will be a smaller number therefore a bit less intimidating. As my DD has been given a later starting date some of her classmates will have already been in a week by the time she joins. I just dont think this is fair to the ones starting in the second week

I think that sounds bit odd. DS is starting reception in Sept too and I think the children from the attached pre-school start the day before and then are joined by the new children on the second day (it's a bout a 50:50 split) but I wouldn't want them to be staggered any more than that. I know friendship dynamics are fluid so I would be less concerned about that and more about the more shy children (my DS is also one) being really confused about what to do and everyone else knowing and them not feeling comfortable enough to ask.

If you agree to the principle of phasing in then someone has to be in the later group(s).

I agree with phasing in but feel every child should be offered the same phasing in- like for nursery half went for the first hour for two weeks and half went for the second hour for two weeks before they all came together. It meant that all the children had equal time phasing in and spending time in the nursery environment and with the teacher.
For some to get extra phasing in time with a smaller group seems a bit unfair

it sounds a stupid system. I know
lits of people don’t like phasing in full
stip but even though I don’t mind the idea, they obviously need to offer the same type of pattern for every one. Ours had them in in small groups for a few days (so they’d go every third day or something) then gradually brought them all together. That makes more sense.

In my experience that’s an unusual way of doing it, ours did half days for two weeks but it was the whole class in at the same times.
i know they’ll not likely be there now, but could you email the school and ask if she can join in earlier and explain your reasoning?

I was thinking of ringing them closer to clarify this as it seems strange to me and then I can ask then. Didn't want to be that parent but if it's not normal practice then I feel ok in asking this for my daughter. My DH thinks they may have chosen particular children to start early SEN/summer borns etc and that I shouldn't make a fuss

Phased starts are honestly not beneficial for most children from my experience. At that age with big changes they do better just getting on with it and knowing exactly what to expect.

Side note: You do know she doesn't have to have a phased start doubt you? She can go full time from day 1.

Not really. Usually it means the whole class together but for shorter periods.

Ours split into two but only for visit days in July. From the start of term they were all in together but for 2.5 hours each day first week, up to lunch second week, after lunch third week and finally FT in week 4.

OP the way your school is doing it is weird but I wouldn't worry. It's all very early days and they will make plenty of time for everyone. The kids in the first week won't have settled that much more that they have an advantage. I'd just be annoyed about having to find extra childcare.

Yeah id read she is legally entitled to full days as they are getting the funding from school start date but I also don't want to single her out

That does sound a wierd way of doing it!

For reassurance though... we moved house in the September, so DD started Reception 3 weeks late. She quickly made friends despite 26 of them being in preschool together. She got a party invitation on her second day! She also had selective mutism, so could have easily been lost... but the other children just accepted her.

Our school do similar to what you are describing, but over a shorter period. Week 1 is home visits. Week 2 is an hour on Monday for all (different time slots). Children who went to the nursery (about half the class) start on Tuesday (half day), the rest of the children start Wed, Thu and possibly Fri. The idea is the teacher only has 5 or 6 to settle each day. Then they build up the time. They did the same starting nursery but added less each day so it took a while until they all started.

The staggered start was a pain for my eldest. She was stressed for ages about full days. Once she did full days, they weren't that bad. My youngest will probably like the short days.

Ours did three weeks of some in the mornings and the rest in afternoons, doesn't sound fair if some are having more time than others

Our school don't offer home visits which is a shame, not sure if they stopped over COVID and then didn't restart