A thread for 2012 new reception starters?

[ApuskiMcClusky]

I'm feeling the need to chat to others about dc starting school in September - there are a few threads with tips about uniform etc, but I'd like a chinwag about it all too!

Anyone else?

Evening! AuntieBulgaria, I'll only be doing pick-up and drop-off once a week, as I work the other four days. I have a younger one as well though. I deliberately asked at the school visit how they communicate with parents, as I'd heard of schools that rely on you being there at pick-up to know what's going on, but ds's school put everything on their website and will send texts too, so a bit more geared up for working parents.

I've also got an oldie, with his birthday second week back, and I'm really not sure whether to stick with his small group of preschool friends for his birthday party, or do something bigger and invite everyone. I worry about setting a precedent that others will feel they have to follow!

It's interesting that we all seem to be worrying about some aspect of them starting school, but what that worry is varies a lot!

Simpson, for all my talk, I have bought nothing. Must get on it this week before holiday.

auntiebulgaria I only do pick up/drop offs on a friday - I have an older ds and have done since he started school. My work have wanted me to go full time this yeaar, but I have put it off for a year as Ive found the one drop off I do do useful to speak to the teacher and keep in touch with other parents. I also underestimated how important tea dates are at school.I dont get home until 6ish, so cant have friends over for tea when Im working, so find my fridays useful to keep ds2 in the loop with tea dates!!

Didnt mean to post that early, meant to say- hope this makes sense, Ive had a couple of glasses of wine!!

Missmap, do you find people are up for tea dates on Fridays? (post made perfect sense btw!)

Yes, apuski, Ive had no problems- Infact friday seems a good day as things can go on a bit later with no worries about having to be up intime for school the next day.

I would also say that Friday is a FAB day for play dates (I have DS in yr2) as like missmapp said there is no school the next day!!

Oh poo. Ok, maybe I can do some long days and finish early on the odd Friday. DH's working patterns are irregular so I can't have a fixed long day.

simpson does your DD have an occupational therapist? DS's OT went round the school with him, me and the SENCO last week measuring things and ordering steps, grab rails, 2 chairs and a toilet seat. I hadn't thought about carrying a tray at lunchtime so will ask the SENCO about that.

I have bought a new school jumper for DS2 and he has all DS1's old uniform ready although I will need to soak the polo shirts in bleach and get some iron on name labels.

This thread is v useful but making my head spin so I'm probably repeating things here... We have to put in our uniform order form this week and it's too confusing for my little head!

How many cardigans are sensible?
What the hell size is a 24" cardigan? and 20" PE shorts?
Is age 5/6 going to swamp an average sized 4.8yo?
Is one lot of PE kit OK?

Arrgghh!

one lot of PE kit is enough
age 5-6 will fit an almost 5 year old and last all year
how many cardigans depends upon if you are willing and able to wash mid week and how likely she is to spill yoghurt and paint

Can I join you?
Bonkers that list is excellent.

PFB is starting in September, she is a november baby so have been ready for ages. We got into a small 15 in a class CofE school, the schools lovely but I'm so nervous with a small school I'll show DD up of the first day and ruin her social chances.

We are going to have a look at M&S school uniforms next week but we are disagreeing on skirt/trousers/pinafore she is an out and out tomboy who will only consider trousers or culottes and I want her to at least wear a pinafore for the first day and pictures. Guess I'm going to have to forget that as I want her to feel comfortable.

Our school seems to have coffee mornings/games afternoons/church group/film night etc every day of the week. I hope I'm not expected to go to any many.

We received a welcome pack, in it stated that her reception teacher will call to arrange coming to see DD at home. Anyone had this? should it just be DD and I or should I include DD2 who will be going next year? Am I expected to bake cakes and prepare DD an activity to do and make her look less feral and teachable while we talk?

Ellie - yes she has an OT who has been out twice to her nursery (attached to the school she will attend) and has met her teacher (she will have the same one in reception hopefully)

BUT this was to help her in nursery not reception so need to make sure that things are in place for her. She will not be able to do up buttons/zips etc but I guess in reception she won't be the only one.

She will also need to wear special shoes/boots with ankle support rather than the "normal" school shoes.

DD has 3 cardigans and this seems to do her for nursery, but think school lunches might make a difference (ie getting on her cardigans) but my rule is one in the dirty laundry, one clean but drying and one on her!!! It seems to work well!!!

She does also have a rather tatty looking school jumper from DS in emergencies.

gwendoline 24" jumper is aged 3-4. No idea about the pe shorts as DS1 doesn't have to wear logo ones so just buy from ASDA. DS1 has 5 jumpers but he is a right scruff lol and needs a clean one every day. DS1 has 2 pe kits but that's because I only remember to take it out and wash it on the last day of the holidays.

simpson DS2 wears special boots too (piedros). I'm hoping his feet grow soon as his current ones are navy and he's meant to have black ones for school.

This thread fell out of my "im on" list for some reason.

Update my ds1 currently has NO SCHOOL! Sent in appeal and a new choice please keep your fingers crossed he gets at least one of those :(

Oh no, kat, sorry to hear its not been resolved yet. Are the LA being helpful, do they act like they realise they have to find you a place? Really hope it gets sorted very soon.

I am really worried about DS2, he is starting a different school to DS1 as DS1 is still waiting for a place at DS2's school.

He has now started talking about going to DS1's school etc and has become really upset going to his new school (he goes to the pre-school bit one day a week). I really hope it is just because he only goes 1 day a week so is not really settled yet.

Its such a lovely school but I am quite upset by it all as I don't want him to be unhappy!

Ellie - that's what DD has too and hers are purple. Tbh it's tough if her school kick off about them as they are what she is supposed to wear but if her feet grow loads then I will TRY and get black, but not going to kill myself over it iyswim.

Wanted to get her some bits for school today (just socks/tights) but it has been raining so much we did not bother!!!

I bought the first few bits of uniform for DS today in M&S (taking advantage of their 20% deal!) I've got trousers x2, polos x2, PE shorts, PE t-shirts and socks. I plan to get a few more pairs of trousers and polos from Tesco and Asda. And then shoes of course!

Do reception children normally do PE inside? The uniform list says that tracksuits can be worn for cold weather but I won't bother getting one if they are always going to do PE inside.

I've heard nothing from the school. They did say there'd be a parents meeting in July. I just hope it's not when we are on holiday...

I have never provided trackie trousers tbh. If the weather is nice they do it out doors but if it's cold it's usually indoors.

Does anyone else's child have to wear a shirt and tie???

I really think DD is going to struggle doing the buttons up on a "proper" shirt.

Hi! Yes, Simpson, ds has to wear a tie and therefore proper shirts, I have just ordered some today so haven't had a chance to see how he manages with the buttons. I'm sure somewhere I've seen shirts where the top button is velcro instead, but really can't remember where ( not that helpful, sorry!).

Can I join in? DS1 is starting Reception in September as well. The school was my 2nd choice, it is a good school (I believe) but either 25 mins walk or 10 mins by car, no public transport. For that reason, I bought a bike and a bike seat and planning to take DS1 by bike (despite of having not cycled since my childhood). My and DH's full time jobs and DS2's nursery will make difficult to fit everything around, so I just sit and pray and hoping for the best :)
The school's hasn't informed about the uniform yet, so we are just waiting for our parent meeting next week.
So not ready at all...

Can I join too? DD, 4, is starting school in Sept. She's been ft in nursery since 6 months and loves it. We're in the process of looking at alternative childcare from Sept onward as will need some help with school pickups and also holidays. DD has had some settling in sessions with a childminder we like and whom she clicked with v quickly. She's also having some settling in sessions at school. However in the last week or so, DD seems to be having a real 'wobble'. Normally v gregarious, she's glued to us at the school sessions, (parents attend these at the moment but there are more coming up where she goes without us) and on CM days, there are lots of tears at drop off. It's like I've got a different child and I feel incredibly guilty - have I picked the wrong CM/school? - and could do with MN wisdom/perspective. I admit she's my pfb but am really worried and could do with some suggestions on how to help her cope. The CM says she's fine during the day and DD can't really articulate any specific issues....

Can I join too? My DS1 starts reception in September in CoE school with 30 in class. Bit worried as he's still a bit (very) sensitive and one of younger children (May). He's been at nursery since Sept (3 1/2 days) and is now fine but it took a while for him to settle and he loves routine so it will all be different for him. Added to that I'm also trying to get back to work as haven't worked since having him (and DS2 2y6m) and need to sort Childcare for job I don't yet have! And DS1 is nervous about me 'working like daddy' long hours etc. I think he'll be so exhausted he'll be best with after school nanny, but DH that's that's a bit 'posh' (not nanny territory here in Lancashire) so difference of opinion on that at moment. Alternatively need nice quiet childminder so he can relax after school. Starting to think re uniform for slim boy, adjustable waistbands a must! Sorry for essay!

midge25- my ds1 was like this, he too changed from nursery to cm and school, He had a wobble in the settling period but was fine in sept when everything was fulltime. i think it was the changeover period that he didnt like, being in school/cm for short periods- when it was fulltime he was fine and happy.