First Day at School - do you wave off your precious darling at the door or stay longer?

[Gingerbear]

DD starts reception in September. What happens on the first morning? The doors open at 0845 and school starts at 0855. Do I get there and take her into the classroom, then wave goodbye straight away? Would I be allowed to wait(what for - my benefit or DD's?)? Are parents supposed to wait at the gate? It is all so different from when she started (private) nursery, where now she often runs in to say hello to her friends and carers before she even says goodbye to me.

aww I'm sure they'll answer all your questions at the open day ginger. If they don't, I would also ask how they want parents to contact them if you have any concerns (e.g. our teachers tend to hover in the playground while the children line up so if you need to chat you can have a quick word).

Ds starts in September - we have a staggered intake with only a few starting each day. The teacher meets them in the playground and we wave them off from there. After all the children have started, they have to line up in the playground every morning and the parents have to stand behind a painted line in the playground near the gate.

Ds seems to be looking forward to it (as he has a sister who'll be in yr 2 so that is v exciting for him) but I'm more nervous for him than I was for dd because he's quite sensitive. He's my last one off to school!!

my son really excited got last of school uniform today so hyper. ive still got a 2year she starts nursery in january then i'll be a lady of leisure going shopping, manicures, facials (wishful thinking!!!!! - if only)

I have got instructions somewhere. I think on the first day we take them to the door by the reception classrooms , after the first day I think we leave them in the playground and they line up when the whistle is blown.

I think we are expected to hang around at our school - have been told to deliver dd at 8.45 and hang around to settle her in...until 09.00

A little apprehensive about whole thing. Ds is a magnificent sleeper (wakes circa 08.30) - it's going to be fun waking him early!

Crikey, had forgotten this thread. DD has had 2 afternoons at her new school (in July) and has met her teachers and classmates. There has also been a parents session for general FAQ's etc. DD is looking forward to starting school, although it will be a strange time for all of us - including me as I am going back to work 5 days instead of 3!

It will still seem a bit wierd though won't it? My dd will have no problems with starting school either, but she seems so little to me...

agree hmc - she only turned 4 in June - if we were in the next county, she wouldn't have to start until January.

Hi Gingerbear - my DS is starting school this September, too, just 1 week before his 5th birthday. He is really ready for school now. In fact, he didn't want to go to nursery for the last half of the summer term as he felt he was too old for nursery (the 3 year olds who started just last Easter looked so little in comparison).

School opens at 8.45 and we take the children into the classroom between then and 9.00, which gives us up to 15 mins settling in time! I think this happens throughout the reception year.

ds starting primary 1 next week. The P1s all start at 9.30 for first two days so rest of school already in. Parents take them into the classroom then i dont know...we hang up their coats and shove off I suppose.

They then practise lining up outside for the first two days and by the wednesday they line up at 9am with everyone else. Mums hang around outside gates until bell rings, see them go in then leave, dancing and skipping shouting "I'm free, I'm free!"