No home visit for reception - normal?

[Allegrogirl]

DD1 is due to start reception in September (sob). She will only know one other person as our friends are spread all over the city and she goes to nursery near my office. I am getting plenty of opportunities to fret about how her school are doing things compared to others.

DD has one x one hour settling session compared to 3 in other schools
there are 3 bloody annoying weeks of 11.45 finishes for everyone while some schools go straight to full days

The main difference is all the other schools do a home visit. I would really like the chance to have an informal chat about DD and a couple of little concerns I have. When I was asked I was told I would get a one to one with the teacher at parents evening, or I could book to speak to the teacher or head of reception. I don't want to be that mum who is making a big thing of speaking to the teacher before term.

I'm being pfb, aren't I?

DS's primary does not do home visits. They go straight to full days but I have a friend who had to work around 3 weeks of half-days. Most reception teachers don't seem to mind a quick word at the end of the school day and I guess as you'll be doing those half-days he/she won't be in a hurry to be elsewhere?

Think it is also normal to have an evening for parents very early in the new term to answer questions and teach the adults phonics and new ways of maths.

DD school are doing 1 week mornings/1 week afternoons, 3rd week straight to full days.
She had a visit to her school last week(which went well), and the lovely nursery she's at, phoned her school and asked if someone would like to visit, and see her in her 'normal' setting, as it were.
DD school don't do home visits as such, but I was chuffed they wanted to come and see her at nursery, as she is the only one leaving to go to that particular school this year.

We all have individual meetings with the reception teacher, before they start. Are you sure your school isn't doing anything similar?.

iseenodust I don't know whether there will be a Q&A at the beginning of term as we had a meeting a couple of weeks ago to run through the curriculum. The info is being drip fed to us though.

ThePathan no meetings with teacher before term start as I asked today. I looked a bit surprised I was asking. I didn't think it was an odd question considering the other schools do it.

They looked surprised I was asking I meant to say.

No home visit, meeting or anything. Just one week of mornings, one of aftrenoons, then straight into it.

Reception is practically nursery anyway.

We didn't have a home visit and DD had 2 1hr sessions before. I think there were just a handful of children around, def. not the 60 due to start in September last year.

DD only knew 1 child plus having met 2 others shortly before the school start at a party. It didn't bother her despite DH and I were concerned.

The school had a parent evening just before the holidays and there was the opportunity to talk and ask questions. I think the teachers are used to first-time-school-starter-mums and don't mind "stupid" questions.

I'd never even heard of home visits till I saw it on mn. How long ours went part time seems to depend on the teacher/number of children in the class. One of mine went full time straight away, though the younger half of the class was pt for 6 weeks. The other went pt for 3 weeks.

We had no home visits, just an afternoon 90 minutes long visit to the room and a chance to meet the teacher and other parents.

The school had them doing full days from the very start, but it seems all schools have their own way and it all works out in the end.

Is there a special reason why you need to talk to the teacher? If so, call the Head and explain. Does the website have the info you need? Could talking to a parent of a child in the school already help calm you fears.

TBH, however hard you try not to, your fears may well pass onto your child and it's 2 months still the start of term, please make sure you allay your fears before the holidays start so that you spend the summer relaxed.

DD is just finishing her reception year.

Her school did not do a home visit, she did not know any children upon starting, and she started with half-days (for a week or two, then into full days).

I was a little concerned, but she was absolutely fine. The school sent out a booklet for me to complete before she started so that they knew some things about her when she began.

It's reassuring to hear that lots of other schools manage without a home visit.

DD had her settling in session today and was bouncing with excitement round the playground afterwards so I don't think I need worry!

hopeforever DD has a constipation problem that started a few months ago leading to lots of urgent loo visits and very minor accidents. She's on movicol and I'm hoping it's sorted by September. The info sheet said all pupils should be able to manage the toilet on her own which she can do usually. Also DD will be one of the oldest in year, tall and articulate. She seems very confident but is actually very sensitive. I just want her teacher to know that she is not as confident and grown up as she appears.

I had a quick chat with her teacher today who put my mind at rest. I know I need to step back and let the teachers get to know her. I had a shit time at school and just want to make sure DD gets off to a good start.

Feeling much happier after her visit to the school and her new childminder today.

Thanks all.

:)