If your DC went to a primary school at which they didn't know anyone...

[snowgirl1]

..how did you help them settle in?

There are no nurseries in the suburb that we live in, so DD goes to a nursery in a suburb nearby. All her friends in the nursery live in the suburb that the nursery is in, so they will most likely get into the infant school which is right next door to the nursery. DD definitely won't get in - we're too far away.

Last night DH said to DD that we'd find out today what school she'd be going to. She immediately said that she wanted to go to school with her best friend. I feel so bad as she won't know anyone in any of the schools that she's likely to get into. There are quite a lot of SAHP in the suburb that we live in, so I think that quite a few of the other children will know each other from playgroups etc. Is there anything I can do to help DD settle in to whichever school she gets into?

DD's school organized a picnic in the park close to the school the afternoon before they started in Reception. We didn't know a soul. All the children chatted to someone and some of them went off and kicked a ball around. DD made some friends there and was pleased to see some of them in her class the next day - three class intake so not all. I met some nice mums too, several of whom had older children at the school.

If your school isn't going to arrange something similar perhaps you could ask them for the parents' email address and set something up yourself?

I held lots of play dates and parties tbh.
Encourage the children they like and don't try to chose their friends. become friendly with parents at school gates, but through your child not like some desperate parent trying to fit in.
look for clubs/ extra curricular activities where the new school children attend.
Definitely as others have said big up the fact that others may not have any friends either and being kind to those and making lots of new friends.

Ds has done this 3 times. First time on starting reception and twice in Yr1 (long story - due to house move)
Honestly at that age they find their feet very quickly, the teachers and TAs do a lot to help them fit in and make friends.