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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

DD going from private nursery to Reception and no one from nursery in class

22 replies

tattyteddy · 19/06/2015 18:35

Just wanted some advice please. My DD is starting reception in a local primary school class after being at a private day nursery. On Wednesday there was a meeting at the school to meet head teacher and find out what class your child will be in. Unfortunately we were away all week and just retuned today. There are three classes in each year group and have found out no one my DD knows will be in her reception class. In another class there are four of DDs nursery friends. The reception teachers visited the nursery and asked the children who they play with. In addition when we were choosing schools the head teacher advised they like to keep children from nursery class that know each tote together to help the transition. Is it worth having a chat with the head teacher about this? Thanks

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PatriciaHolm · 19/06/2015 18:40

You could mention it, but realistically, now classes are assigned it's very unlikely anything will be done. New friendships will be formed rapidly, don't worry - it sounds like there are a lot of children there who won't know each other.

chairmeoh · 19/06/2015 18:42

I'd have a chat, to see if DD could be put in a class with other children she knows.

Having said that, my DD was in the same boat, only she did to know a single child when she started in reception. She soon settled, and her teacher made sure that she wasn't excluded by groups of nursery friends.

Original poster

tattyteddy · 19/06/2015 18:43

I'm just worried about DD, she is aware that there is children from her nursery going to her new school.

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redcaryellowcar · 19/06/2015 18:43

I'd definitely mention it

Original poster

tattyteddy · 19/06/2015 18:47

i think I'll ring on Monday and ask if we can have a quick chat with head teacher as we missed session on Wednesday. Then hopefully we can bring this up then. Feel really sad for DD, however I'm 21+4 weeks pregnant and hormones are all over the place anyway!

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Starlightbright1 · 19/06/2015 18:48

Personally I would not worry..3 other children went from my DS's nursery to reception..He was never really friends, settled in well and had a very wide set of friends. He actually became good friends with one of them in year 2 but has drifted away again.

Also recpetion classes in our school are quite fluid and they often mix

LakeFlyPie · 19/06/2015 18:52

DS went from a private day nursery to reception and we were on holiday so missed the settling in visit. I was worried about him being unfamiliar with the environment and children (he knew 1 other in the class group of 60) but he settled in quickly and I don't think he was at a disadvantage.

TheNumberfaker · 19/06/2015 18:55

I doubt they would change class lists now. Don't worry about. Friendships change so much at this age. She will learn some good life lessons about making friends from scratch.

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 19/06/2015 19:09

It is unlikely that they can change the classes now (unless perhaps there is a child in the class you want to be in who wants to be in yours).

DD1 knew one child by sight and that was it. She's done fine. They do a lot of stuff in mixed class groups too - playtime, lunch, often groups for phonics or forest school. She'll see the other children a lot.

Original poster

tattyteddy · 19/06/2015 19:14

Thanks for the words of wisdom I'm probably worrying over nothing. I think I'll still ask but not worry too much if they can't do anything. Xx

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Mopmay · 19/06/2015 19:24

I wouldn't worry about it. They all make new friends in their new classes. And in 90 place entry schools the reception children often all mix a lot during the day and have their own lunch and play times

hibbledibble · 19/06/2015 20:24

Have you met the parents of other children from her class?

You could do a few play dates before term starts so she makes friends.

She will see her nursery friends in break times.

PerspicaciaTick · 19/06/2015 20:29

I think this is probably a bigger thing for you than it will be for her.
My DD denied knowing anyone in her reception year group - despite there being approx. 20 children there from her nursery who she had happily socialised with for the previous 2 years. She quickly made lots of school friends though.

Theknacktoflying · 19/06/2015 20:39

My DD was in a similar position when she started school.

Personally, it might be a big deal, but it might just give her the chance to find some new friends ...

The children are only 4/5 and most aren't really friends at all but just someone nearby playing along or having aomeone to chase

Georgina1975 · 19/06/2015 20:39

I understand how you feel. Our DC started in reception in 2014 with no friends from private nursery in a class of 60 (two groups of 30). Quite a lot of them knew each other from the school nursery.

It took her a while to settle in (we had a few tears the first few weeks), and I think the lack of familiar faces was an issue. But she was doing really well by the first half-term. All I can say is that the teaching staff will have seen it all before and know how to deal with any difficulties. I was just bright and breezy every morning (and saved my tears for the work toilets).

Good Luck!

Hardtoknow · 19/06/2015 20:40

DD is in a multi form entry school & the classes mix hugely in reception. As well as the playtimes, they share an outdoor space, an art area & a home corner & all of the classes free flow across these for much of the day. They are grouped across the classes for phonics. If your DD's school is similar, she will only be without friends she knows for a short part of the day.
Also, they may have done this for a reason. Perhaps nursery thought your DD was being overshadowed by the other children & might benefit from being with others.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 19/06/2015 20:42

She'll be fine. She'll be coming out of school on the first day telling you about her new friend.

sunnydayinmay · 19/06/2015 21:20

DS1 didn't know anyone when he started (went from a private nursery to Reception. His nursery friends all went to different schools).

He was worried. Lots of nightmares the few weeks before etc.

When he started, he was absolutely fine. On the first day he told me he had a new friend - they are year 6 now, still great friends and off to secondary together next term.

I think the important thing is to make it clear that there will be loads of new friends at school and how much fun it will be.

Vinorosso74 · 19/06/2015 22:18

My DD went from private nursery to primary with one other child from her nursery. They weren't super close at nursery but as parents we arranged times for them to play out of nursery.
Anyway, they were put in different classes. I think it was good for them. They are still close as they can mix between the classes in reception and they do an after school acticity together. My DD has made new friends inc.with those that were at the school nursery.

Vijac · 19/06/2015 22:23

I don't think it's a big deal at that age and may give her the chance to choose friends from 30 rather than just stick with the ones she knows. How about a play date or two over the summer hols with a new classmate. In the long term she'll know more in the year!

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 19/06/2015 22:25

I don't see it as about friends. More about learning to sit when it's sitting time. Ask to go to the loo. Sit and eat a snack at a group time and location etc.

Original poster

tattyteddy · 20/06/2015 19:19

Thank you everyone, have since found out one girl from nursery will be in her class. I think I'm worrying about it more than DD, who is quite a sociable independent child.

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