Questions for first reception parents' evening

[ThePerUnaBomber]

This week we have parents' evening - as it's our first and I'm a neurotic over-preparer, what sort of information would be germane for me to find out from DS' teacher? Is it more helpful to know what he needs to work on, or to know what he is enjoying most? How should I address the challenge of not having time with him in the evening or morning (I work FT with a 30 minute commute to his school and back from the childminder's and share residence with his dad) to practice anything - we just about manage to do his reading at breakfast.

Do I need to ask about his social interactions? He was one of only three new children in the class - the others came up from the school's nursery.

Any advice or tips warmly welcomed! TIA.

They will just give you a general idea of how he is getting on, don't overthink it at reception level :) I'm very much of the mind that reception is a year for getting used to a classroom routine, being one of the class, self-toileting, getting dressed for PE, learning how to sit quietly on the carpet. Don't worry about working on stuff with him at home, that will come in the following years. In reception you need to know he's happy, he's playing well with others, the sorts of things he enjoys & what he's best at.

You can bring up the morning/evening time but remember that you don't have to read with him every day, you really don't. Maybe concentrate on him telling you what he did with his day (although it may be 'nothing' or he' can't remember' :) ) & just focus on supporting him through his first year. Academics will come later.

if there were any social/behavioural problems you would know by now, the teacher wouldn't keep these back until parents evening.

It is normally a ten minute meeting. I tend to let them speak rather than prep a list of questions. Check how he is settling in. You won't be quizzed on how often you read with him. Job done.

Is he happy? Does he play happily with other children? Does the teacher have any specific concerns? Is there anything she suggests you do to support his settling and learning?

Much relief at your replies. I think you're right to let the teacher just speak about him - it's a small class, so hopefully she will have lots to tell us from her observations. Thank you all!

Most important thing, as others have said, is whether he has settled in, made friends and if his behaviour is good.

I also had a "new to well established group of preschoolers" when we started nursery. If I asked DD what she'd done at school she would usually say "I have no idea" or "can't remember".

I asked
-"who do you think her friends are?"
-"which classes does she enjoy the most?"
-"are there any tasks we should try to help her with at home?"

In your case, you could ask "what could 'we' do with DS on his 30 minute commute?". It might be simple counting/days of the week/learning to sing in tune.

DD's old school was literally across the road, so she ran there to play and ran home from/to play. There is so much more subtle learning going on now that the school run is 15-20 minutes.