A very bad first day at school

[wedoNOTdothat]

My dd started reception today and went in quite excited. She was ok when I left and when we picked her up but a few hours later she was sobbing. At lunch time she didn't know what to do and when she finished walked off on her own before remembering she needed an adult with her.

She also didn't go to the toilet or have a drink all day because she didn't know where things were. She said she just played by herself today.

When I picked her up the teacher said she had been very good and she had hardly noticed she had a new child in the class. Maybe she was trying to be complimentary about her behaviour but then the TA said she had cried twice.

I know it could have been worse but I feel so desperately sad for her. I'm worried that because she behaves herself and isn't overly confident she will just be forgotten about.

Please tell me things get better!

oh poor her :(

i would have a chat with the teacher or the TA and explain that she really isn't sure about where things are and what to do and could they keep an eye on her?

Oh dear. That's not a great start, but things will improve.

Is your daughter confident enough to ask the teacher/TA to explain where the loos are, where she can get a drink and so on? If not, could you ask in the playground tomorrow morning (assuming they line up in the playground with their teacher) so that your daughter knows that you've asked and can hear the answers? I wonder why she didn't get a guided tour this morning - was she the only child starting today? Perhaps it's planned for later in the week, but that doesn't help your daughter.

Thank you for replying. We're going to do that tomorrow, hopefully she will feel happier soon. I just feel so sad For her that they didn't do that today when she was the only new child. Fingers crossed it will be better tomorrow..

Just have a quick word tomorrow and tell them the problems-they can only sort it if they know.

Hmm. I suspect that it was because the only new child that they forgot/neglected to attend to the basics of where the loos are etc.

On the playing/friends angle, does the playground have a friendship stop? At my dd's school, that's where you go if you're looking for someone to play with, but as soon as she started school, some much bigger girls befriended all the girls in Reception and played with them every day for, well, years. You could also ask the teacher/TA if your daughter could be given a buddy for the next few days, until she finds her feet.

Was she the only new starter?

I'd mention asap that she says she didn't drink/wee as that will be uncomfortable for her.

Agree a buddy sounds like a good idea until she gets the hang of things.