Urgent advice! Part time reception being forced upon my son!

[Gracie32]

Hi there, my son is due to start reception this September and I have been "told" by his nursery teacher (nursery is attached to the school) that she has liased with the Ks1 Senco and it has been agreed that if he starts at their school then they will only allow him to do part time hours until at least January or possibly April, are they allowed todo this?, legally I mean. Oh and sorry I forgot to mention my son has been undergoing assessment for additional needs.

I think legally you can probably push it through.

However I think you would be best requesting a meeting with your nursery teacher, the SENCO and talking it through. They are probably thinking of what is best for your ds, and hearing their reasons would be best before you object.

For what it's worth too, my ds has glue ear but otherwise is NT and I believe it would have been much better for him to have been part time for most of reception year. I think he'd have had a much better experience and it would have set him up better for school in general. Unfortunately I didn't have the confidence to do that as no other child was doing it, but looking back it would have been much better.

No they are not allowed to do this. Admissions Code 2.16a - a child is entitled to a full time place in the September following their fourth birthday. The previous version of the Code was a little woolly but the new Code is crystal clear. There is absolutely no way they can force you to accept part time. I agree you should talk to them and understand their reasons before making any decisions. But ultimately it is your choice, not theirs.

The thing is though I don't believe they are thinking of him, I think they are thinking of themselves and how much easier it would be to have him part time. He's been there almost a year now but since June last year the nursery forced reduced hours on him saying that his behaviour was that bad they couldn't cope with him and that he couldn't cope with doing the three hours a day.

Now that they have forced us I change his hours they are now making out that he's an angel and his reformed character, and without sounding negative I just don't believe it. I love my son dearly and I myself have seen small improvements ie trying to play more with other children etc but he's still ha being major meltdowns, hitting and kicking me and his siblings. Throwing things down the stairs, trashing the house etc. So that makes me question then if nursery really believe he's improved so much then why are they suggesting we goes part time in September? The communication from them is so up and down and I'm just left feeling confused!

I also think a proper meeting with, not only his preschool teacher and reception staff, but also your health visitor or school nurse as another representative would be good. You are entitled to a health visitor until your child is five and his health and wellbeing are also importent at school. Im sure if you asked, the school could arrange this. It would also mean, you have another professional person there who is not biased from the school staff (if that is the case).

Maybe they are thinking both about themselves AND you. If he is still having tantrums with reduced nursery hours - I'd seriously think about part time.

Kids that already grew out of tantrums get so tired and cranky in Reception. And they start having tantrums all over again. It's a big adjustment and takes little ones a while to get used to.

So, instead of getting ready for a fight with your nursery/school, think about what would actually be best for your son. Also - starting the school with a confrontation might not be the best course of action.

Agree with above - part time might be best for your son, the school and his classmates.
What month is his birthday? That makes a difference to when he needs to be full time?

So many parents want part time and can't get it. Now the OP has been offered it, but doesn't not want it. He does not sound ready for full time school. I guess you are not so keen to have him at home, understandably, given his behaviour. I would try and work out a plan with the school to integrate him to full time. Maybe do one term of part time and see how that goes.

A term part time was the standard here when my two were younger so it seems quite a normal concept to me. I remember the Head saying Reception is the year they learn the most in their time at school, getting to grips with the structure of school and the new routines. Although PT is a bit of a PITA I would go with it.

Meltdowns are not "tantrums" because a child is tired. If they are being assessed for ASN. I wouldn't accept a part time place on this basis.

"agree with above - part time might be best for your son, the school and his classmates."

You can't force a child to stay away from school because it's better for his classmates.

You can't also say he is not ready for school. He is probably ready for school IF his needs can be managed there.

I wish people on here would at least make the tiniest bit of an attempt to understand ASN.

Do you work outside of the home OP? You haven't mentiomed that. That would be a barrier for lots of parents to pt.

I don't have experience of additonal needs, but I personally question the concept of any child doing pt. I just feel (as I did with my son) that they need to be in school and experiencing it along with their peers. I appreciate they get tired etc, but I personally feel the best way to get used to it, is to be there not to be at home getting used to spending time with me (my DS was in childcare 4 days a week prior to school).

As others have said, ask for a meeting to understand their views and then you can decide next steps.

They will be part of your DS's life and yours for the next 8 years, so I'd try to approach it calmy and nicely whilst being clear what you want.

Good luck.

I would be inclined to push the matter. Start by saying if they don't think he can cope with full time, then you need to increase his nursery hours to help him cope with longer hours "in preparation for school".
If he is spending more time at nursery that should increase their motivation to (spend money) bring the professionals in. The LA SN team should be involved and advising.
I suspect part of the problem with him doing full time at school is they don't want to fund a full time TA.

I would also make sure your GP is involved and has referred you to a paediatrician, if this isn't already taking place.

Contacting your local IAS services (used to be parent partnership) might help and can give advice; probably most useful when the school is especially non inclusive for the LA.

I agree with Fanjo.

And there is a world of difference between a parent choosing part-time schooling and having it foisted upon them by someone who hasn't even bothered to consult with them first.

What they are essentially saying is that they will not provide the OP's child with the same opportunities as the other children, purely because he may have additional needs.

The school and nursery should not have made any decision without consulting you (and any other professionals involved in supporting his needs).

I would ask for a meeting and find out why they believe this is the best for your child but ultimately the choice is yours.

So many parents want part time and can't get it

Schools cannot refuse to take a child part time until the start of term following the child's fifth birthday. It is the parents' choice, not the school's.

Personally I do not care if other parents are desperate for part time places for their children, I'm not! And that's not becuase I'd rather have him out the way. I mean yes after after practically being a full time Sahm since he was born ( I only do agency work usually I a weekend ) I am ready for a break to recharge my batteries but the reason I'm refusing part time is because like a few others hae said, his issues need addressing not hidin away and if he's spending had of the week at home rather than in class then things will never get any better.

Excuse the typos, I'm in the middle of doing dinner lol.