RECEPTION ADMISSION EXPECTATIONS ??

[rubybleu2]

We are due to hear if we have been given a reception place at our chosen school very soon, (not sure if its the same date in all counties)...but this has me wondering...realistically, what is expected of a child on entering school for the first time ? I'm assuming the ability to wipe your own bum is a must (tick), and the ability to dress oneself (tick), under 15mins, with everything on the correct way(x)...we've had a few party invites recently, that have been handwritted by what looks like the child? whilst my own child can just about write the first three letters of their own name, I mean what should we be able to count up to 10? 20? 100?....or should we be on multiple fractions by now?...

Date is the same across England.

This comes up regularly, and the consensus is that academic stuff isn't the priority, some level of independence is.

Put on own shoes (velcro is your friend) and coat and zip up
Open contents of own lunchbox if having packed lunch
Recognise own name when written down
Don't be afraid to ask for help from an adult if needed
Be able to sit and listen for short periods of time (and not interrupt)

I would suggest buying a small backpack, and to start school as you mean to go on, with DC carrying backpack at least on the way to school. Especially helpful if you have more than one DC. I am amazed at parents who carry stuff for 3 DC while DC carry nothing!

Some children start reception reading quite well already. Others start knowing nothing about letters at all.
Some children start reception with good pencil grip and colouring skills. Others can barely make a mark at all.

Play nicely with other children; at minimum don't hit, scratch, kick, push etc.

Bloody hell! DS can't dress in under 15 minutes with everything on the correct way round and he's in Yr7!!!

The main thing is not be afraid to ask for help and waiting your turn. Letters, writing, counting etc can all be taught by teachers.

wilshaw (OFSTED) came up with a list a couple of years ago, it's a DM link but I'll see if I can post a pic of the checklist

Ooh, how exciting! My first pic, I've only been on MN 8 years!!

DC2 starts YR this Sept. In many ways he's far ahead of DC1 at school entry (though he's a spring baby, she's late summer); he can read, write some simple words and sentences, use exclamation marks, do some number bonds in double figures (e.g. 14 + 23, he's probably struggle and use his fingers for 17 + 28), do fractions (e.g. If you asked for a quarter of 12, no hesitation in answering 3). He's a bit of a freak though. In other ways, he will struggle much more - especially in playing with others/managing emotions. He can get his shoes on - but he's equally likely to crumple to the floor screaming wordlessly. Or throw them across the room. Also, he often still has an afternoon nap (unplanned, he just conks out).

His friend, OTOH, can't read, write her own name, count reliably to 10 - but can and does dress herself, is confident and sociable and very good at social interaction. She's probably going to do rather better in the first year of school...

I made sure that DC1 knew her own name and mine, knew the first line of our address, knew who her teacher was and where the school office was, and also that she should never ever go home with anyone else unless either DH or I had told her it was going to happen OR her teacher or the HT told her it was ok. I forgot to tell her not to try to break out of school and go home by herself (she was caught...)

When DS1 was coming up to reception age, we were told by a reception teacher to focus on:

Independent skills - using the toilet independently, dressing / undressing, including coats and shoes, using cutlery.

Social skills - mainly playing nicely with others, taking turns etc, trying to improve attention so they can sit still and listen to an adult.

Working on reading, writing, numbers, was given less importance. We were told to use letter sounds rather than letter names if talking about letters (e.g. if reading an ABC type book) because learning letter names rather than sounds can confuse some children when they're being taught phonics in reception. Reading to children was encouraged, as were counting songs.

Reading their own name is good, it helps with the clothes peg. I wouldn't worry about writing and reading, some do, some don't start before school. In our case, most could read and write their name and recognise the letters, write numbers (often mirrored), count to 20. Very few couldn't read any numbers and letters and equally few could read well. Some of these kids are 4 years and a day old when they start, others turn 5 on day 1, so a huge spread.

If they aren't great at reading their own names, get a set of printed luggage labels in a bright colour with fun picture and their name on them. Put the same label on every bag they have at school (book bag, PE kit, lunch box) so they know what to look out for even if their reading is shaky. It will help them pick out their own belongings among lots of identical bags.

like this

You can also get woven name tapes with a picture on too. DD1s have cats and DD2 ladybirds. That helps with jumpers.

I strongly recommend woven name tapes. Yes they are a pain to sew in, but they don't fade in the wash. In 9 years of schooling we have only ever lost 1 item of clothing that hasn't made its way home to us. Also, if you just sew the ends, they can be used as hanging loops for jumpers, hoodies etc.