Primary Induction - does this sound OTT?

[GiraffesEatStingingNettles]

I received a letter today detailing the induction process for my DS at the Primary where his sister already attends.

DD's induction was pretty painless, as she attended the attached nursery and it was all (bar one hour long meeting for the parents) dealt with by the nursery during her normal nursery hours.

For various reasons DS is at a seperate nursery, so the process is a bit different. We have a parents' induction evening at 6pm on Monday 9th June (unspecified length), five induction sessions for the children - every Thursday 1:30-2:30 beginiing 12th June and running until 10th July, and then an induction morning on Monday 14th July 9:15-10:30.

Am I being a bit crappy to think this is a lot? I know I should be grateful that they take it seriously and want to put in the time to settle the children, but I am really going to struggle with it. I work, and DS is at nursery on the Thursdays. Because the sessions are in the middle of the day, it is going to be alomst impossible to get him there without writing off a day's pay and losing a day at nursery, even though they are only for an hour.

I want the best for him, and I don't want to be in the situation where he is the only one who hasn't had this introduction to the class, but I have to be realistic - surely anyone who works is going to find this hard?

What are other people's experiences? Is this a typical approach by schools, or is it a bit OTT?

I think I may be able to get him to the last two of the Thursday sessions, and will definitey try and get a babysitter so that I can make the evening session. I will also approach the school and see if there is any flexibility in the programme at all.

Any thoughts very welcome

[LemonMousse]

Children come in to our school on 3 Wednesdays in June. First visit one hour after lunch and parents stay with the child. Second visit is also an hour after lunch but parents go home (or hide in the hall) and the last visit the children arrive at 11.45, have lunch and then stay for an hour or so.

One evening meeting for parents - lasts about an hour.

[minklydzo]

that does sound a lot. I've got a parents meeting in an evening which is an hour long. Two induction afternoons in \july and a new families bbq at the end of June, where new class / parents / siblings get to meet everyone. Plus a home visit from teacher and TA in September.

I already have a child in the school, but will still go to everything so Dd is as prepared as she can be.

[Galena]

tiggytape you took the words out of my mouth, completely!

I agree that an evening meeting is probably better - if the school has a high proportion of working parents. DD's school however, has a high proportion of single parents with little support - an evening meeting is no good for them, as the children are in bed and they gave no support network to supply a babysitter. The school had an afternoon which was attended by about two thirds of the parents.

[ISpyPlumPie]

Sorry was referring to the situation in our school - afternoon parents meeting with just under a fortnight's notice. I know it would be impossible for them to accommodate everyone but I just think for many people the days of at least one parent being at home all day are in the past.

[ISpyPlumPie]

Galena- no, but a parents-only meeting could conceivably be held outside school hours and perhaps consideration given to a bit more notice/flexibility if there are a series of settling in sessions during the week. I'm sure the vast majority of parents want to do everything they can to help their DC settle in to school but not everyone's work situation will make it possible.

[Xihha]

DS's school did story sessions on Wednesday afternoons every week after the may bank holiday, which stretched into a full day for the last 3 or 4 weeks of term, there were lots of children who only made 1 or 2.

Maybe the 5 sessions is in the theory most children will be able to make at least 1, where as if they set 1 session children might miss out completely, I know that's why DS's school do lots of sessions where as DD's school only did 1 induction, on moving up day, and the parents meeting was in the school library just after drop off, which in a way was worse for working parents as being busy that day meant you missed everything.

[Galena]

Since schools run at the same time as most parents work, it is almost impossible for them to 'accommodate working parents more'. What should they do? Hold a settling in session for the children at 7.30pm?

[ISpyPlumPie]

Sounds a lot to me too. We've got a parents' meeting during the afternoon. There are then three afternoon sessions, two of which parents attend and one just for the children. There's also a teddy bears picnic, but that is child and teddy only .

I am very fortunate that I've got an incredibly accommodating employer so will be able to attend all the parent stuff, but can see how it could be really difficult for lots of people. I do think that schools generally need to look at accessibility for working parents a bit more.

[littleducks]

Does your ds not drop off/pick up Dd? I would have thought between that and your DD telling him everything about school he would know more about school than most new starters.

Dd started reception late so didn't do induction and was fine. When Ds started he did the induction which was one one session in the classroom with the class and no parents (*we were in the hall) and one meeting with the teacher and TA alone. But he had all the inside info from Dd and had made friends in the playground with other younger siblings.

[AmberTheCat]

Our school does (or at least did when my two started) four afternoon sessions. They were very much presented as 'come to as many as you like', though, so some kids did all of them, others just some, others none at all.

I think if you're able to get your DS there for one or two of them, that would be fine.

[ICantFindAFreeNickName]

I'm sure the school will not mind, as long as you tell them which sessions he will be able to attend. I think the first one might be a good one to attend.
It might be worth asking nursery if they can help with transporting your child to some of the sessions. Or could you share the sessions with parents of your DD's friends who have siblings starting.

[GiraffesEatStingingNettles]

PolterGoose - I don't think so, but I will double check. I think most of them will be staying on - it is attached to a private prep school which is lovely, though ££££s. Most of the other families are in a rather higher income bracket than us. We have been masquerading as prep school material by making use of the nursery provision the government provide. Seeing how the other half live

Come September we are very much back in our place

[mummy1973]

You don't have to go. Just tell the school the ones you can make. Doubt they will see it as a big deal.

[hixchix]

Our first meet was today, i was so nervous but it was brilliant! I got my second choice of school but Im so pleased! Good luck everyone!

[GiraffesEatStingingNettles]

Patricia - Picnic sounds lovely

[GiraffesEatStingingNettles]

Hixchix - wow. 9 seems loads. I suppose a lot depends on the school and the cohort, particularly the size of each. The transition is important, I agree. I wish I was in a position to just sign up to all that was offered and not feel like I am shortchanging DS by cutting out some of the opportunities.

On the plus side, his sister is only two years above, and he already knows a fair few of her friends siblings, who will start when he does. He is also pretty easygoing and friendly.

[PatriciaHolm]

That does seem like an awful lot. Ours get 2 induction sessions, one a bit longer than the other, and that seems to work fine. There will always be some that don't attend because parents work and can't get them there, and they will all settle come Sept and I don't think a couple of visits several months before this makes a huge difference really!

in fact our reception parents for the last few years have said that the picnic (organised by PTA) in the first week of Sept just before they start was better at integrating them with their new peers.

[hixchix]

Before september DD will have been 9 times, i work nights but i dont find this excessive. The transition period is so important to get right imo, but each to their own

[YoHoHoandabottleofWine]

We've had an invite to 4 separate sessions, I was surprised. Had been saving up extra holiday for the half days I expect in first few weeks, but essentially 4 half days I will have to take now.

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

we had 2x1hr sessions in July, then started in september on half days for a week and a half then they could go full time (advised) or part time until half term.

the second of the 1hr sessions the parents had a meeting about it all. at the first one it was just a PTA coffee session for the parents.

[DefiniteMaybe]

It seems excessive to me. Dd will go to the attached nursery at her primary school full time in September. She will have only just turned 3. They have one parents evening and a stay and play type session in July then they will start settling in September with the intention of being full time the week before half term.