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

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.