DD starting primary. will school contact me

[RogueRebel]

DD starts school in September I've sent paperwork back accepting her place at given school (not 1st choice).
Haven't heard a dicky bird since?
No start date, uniform guide, equipment list. This is my oldest DC and I have no idea how this all works?
Do I contact the school? I don't want to come across as the crazy annoying parent before she's even in the school but its nearly time for the summer break! Help!

The school sent us forms to fill in long before this asking amongst other things for an email address. We've been drowning in emails ever since. But we did an induction day in the summer term where nursery children went to big school for half a day. Don't know what your school is playing at. Maybe it has forgotten that all the Reception children will be new. Maybe they're keeping everybody else informed and just not you?

I think uniform info was even available on the open days the year before.

I only got any info from our school a couple of weeks ago - just after half term - so it might just be that yours is on the way. But I'd give them a quick ring just to check that you haven't been missed somehow. Honestly, the office staff will be fielding masses of those sort of queries at the moment and I'm sure they won't mind.

I've just called and got the answer machine will try again later. (hates leaving messages)
I only really thought about it because the nursery asked if I would be changing hours for DD2 when DD1 starts school. I currently don't have a clue about when the holidays run so was just in cloud cookcoo land now I'm worried my DD is floating around with no school I did tick the box for my original 1st choice if a space became available could this have anything to do with it?
do the children get to look round and meet their teachers before they start in September?

Hi RogueRebel:

Check school website for information.

Often the prospectus will have information on the uniform requirements and on how children will start school.

My other suggestion is to just e-mail the school (at their enquiry contact number) with your daughter's name and DOB and her class (if known) or just starting reception Sept 2013.

Then list your questions.

Keep it brief & to the point - because they're busy.

Hopefully it will either result in answers direct to you or something more substantive being sent to all parents.

I think sometimes schools forget that for new parents - it's exciting & worrying all at once. Newbies want to try to get everything in place and also know enough about what is about to happen to help prepare their children a bit for what to expect during the summer. It also is crazy that schools don't clearly explain at this point whether starting is staggered or instantly full-time in september - because working parents therefore need to organise cover, potentially days off and juggle holiday allocation at work.

Anyway - my solution has been to just ask. I'm too old (DD1 in Y5/ DD2 in Y3) and have had too many short-notice events thrust upon me to put up with it much now.

floating around with no school?

Are you actually registered with your LEA for any particular school?

I got a call to see why I didn't turn up at the new parents' meeting - turned out I'd never got the letter.

They said they'd email me all the forms - after a week I rang to say they hadn't arrived either. They emailed me on Monday with them all.

Definitely ring, if you've accepted the place it may well be that things have gone missing in the post or they've typed your email wrong.

Thanks for all the comments. I have spoken to a nice receptionist, DD has got her space and letter was put in the post yesterday.
I got it 15 mins after speaking to her and I've got a parents meeting next Thursday.
Had yet another panic as its such short notice for myself, single, working parents (or any that might of made plans).

Learnandsay - not sure what that is? I applied with local council for my 3 choices for schools, I was offered my 3rd choice not ideal but I didn't want to appeal and put pressure on class sizes so I ticked a box to have my child reconsidered for my 1st choice if a space became available. which is why I was unclear on if she had a school place.

I think I'm going to have to take pastsalebydate's theory and get in the habit of finding out everything for myself. I find it hard to get time off work/change shifts at short notice and was advised by another college who's DD has already started school to take two weeks holiday if its staggered starts. unfortunately she is a lowley minion as am I so I still have to convince my managers. I currently keep all paperwork to prove I'm not on a jolly, we are all new staff and on 12weeks probation so I'm a little paranoid to say the least.

Glad you're sorted. It's not important any more.