Anyone know anything about minimum Reception hours?

[pigleychez]

Trying to find out abit more about the flexible hours for children starting reception.

Anyone know where I can find any?

Ie How many hours they legally have to do? Can it be some full days/some half etc.

It's negotiable between parents and school, in theory. Our school has given all the reception children a complicated batch of 2 hr sessions, half days, half days including lunchtime etc.

If they are not 5 this term you may be able to negotiate a reduced timetable but they are not obliged to - their only obligation AFAIK is to offer a full time place.

You can of course defer the place altogether for a while. But there is no set 'right' to part time as far as I know.

Depends on the school.

My dsis' dc's school insist they all go in full time, no option.

My dc's school they have (barring medical reasons) to do mornings until 12:00 (beginning of lunch) but can choose to be part time or not. Also they can choose to be some full days and some half, but the school set the days. I think roughly if you're only doing one day full it's Tuesday and the last day to go full is Friday (though I might be outdated in that).
They'd probably be open for discussion if you had a good reason for wanting a particular day, but I don't think doing an activity would count as one. Because the idea of having the half days is that they need a quiet break rather than more activities.

DD isnt 5 till next summer. Signed her up to part time (mornings) till half term.
Since the first week DD's teacher is pushing me for full time. All the other part timers have succumb to her pressure.

I compromised at saying she could do Thur and fri full days leaving her the weekend to ease her in, with a view of upping the days to get to full time. The teacher said no. It was full time or just mornings.
Just wondering what deal is with the hours and to how flexible the school could be in offering something like this.

As far as I know, legally they don't have to be in full-time until they reach 5yo. Therefore, although it may irritate the school administration, you are entitled to keep on sending her half days for as long as you want. This is what I am doing with my summer born DS. I know from other parents that come half term the thumbscrews will be brought out in a bid to make me put him in full time but I intend to stand firm, and be lead by my son, not their targets etc. Grrrrr.

And again, to the best of my knowledge, you can accept a place in the school, but wouldn't have to take it up until they turn 5.

ALso forgot to add, he is the only in the class doing p/t, as the school policy is for them to go in for full days from the start. Seems extraordinary to me. Frankly they wouldn't want him full time - when he's tired, he's horrible!!

legally they don't have to be there til they are five. But schools expect you to conform to their timetable. If you don't like it you can negotiate, you can defer entry or you dc can just be off sick once a week on varying days if the full time is too much (don't tell school though and don't do it once they are 5 )

You are entitled to ask for part time attendance, however the school does not have to agree to your request. All children must be in full time education (does not necessarily mean in school) by the term following their fifth birthday.

They legally don't have to be in full-time until they're 5. But I don't think that means you can pick and choose your hours - isn't it take it or leave it, unless the school decides to grant your request?

They legally don't have to be in school at all, but if you accept a place in reception you have no right to insist on part time attendance only to request it. You can of course defer until the term after your child's fifth birthday.

Agree with Mrz. You have the right to defer entry until the start of term following your child's fifth birthday but you can only request that your child attends part time. It is the school's choice, not yours.