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

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September 2016 school starters

156 replies

ElodieS · 22/08/2016 11:01

Wondered if anyone else out there fancies a school starters thread for this September?

I'm feeling slightly pathetic about DTs starting Reception in September; they've been in nursery for years but I'm still prone to a little weep at my babies growing up when I peek at their uniforms!

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Pengweng · 24/08/2016 09:10

In the Dts school they provide everything the whole way throughout the school. I assume it's to stop kids getting into a competition about who has the best pencil case. Or having a million smelly erasers everywhere not that i did that when i was at school Grin

Though they mainly write on the desks or whiteboards at the DTs school unless it's a piece of work for their books.

drspouse · 24/08/2016 10:40

Checking in, my DS is starting next week, we have all the uniform (labelling to be done at the weekend), got trainers yesterday (he's still in 3-4 height wise for a lot of things but has 10H feet with orthotic insoles! so though I tried to find out if they have to be all black, in the end I just had to get what fits).

He's quite nervous and understandably doesn't want to leave his friends at nursery, 3 others are going to the same school though they are not his bestest friends.

We only have two half days and then into full time, the first two days DH and then I will drop/pick up and then we will do our regular routine of drop offs for the first full week with me taking a bit of time off to pick up the days DH can't. The second full week we'll mainly do our normal future routine - 2 days pickup by us, 2 days in after school club and one with a much loved babysitter who will take him home.

He's going to really struggle wearing uniform though as he is a very eclectic dresser. We do have one day a week where they can wear any trousers they like thankfully.

mogloveseggs · 24/08/2016 10:44

ElodieS yes you're right tears are inevitable. With my dd though she was much more confident and bounced in, but the second week when they realise they have to go back can be a struggle. My dd starts secondary school on the same day so I will just be a wreck Grin

Didiplanthis · 24/08/2016 22:47

I have DR boys starting too ! My OH has taken the week off as they have form for hysterical refusal triggering off each other if they don't want to go somewhere new - I can physically carry one in screaming but not 2 ! They are so so baby compared to their big sister when she started school - I am far more worried about them. I had a nightmare buying shoes as they have very little skinny feet and nothing fitted them - finally got some but they are the same ( unsurprisingly as they are ID with the same shape feet ) also been trying to make them look different - been growing ones hair longer for a while in preparation although still wondering if they need badges !!!

Didiplanthis · 24/08/2016 23:26

That was DT boys - not DR boys !!!

Idliketobeabutterfly · 25/08/2016 05:41

My son starts this September too. Same school that he went to nursery so he knows most of the children but still worried.
He'll be 5 when he starts as he has a early September birthday but has some sensory issues that affects a lot of things (paeditrician also wants him to have an ASD assessment) and worried how he will cope with school meals and with the toilets and getting messy.

As for the not knowing anyone else we were there last year at the nursery as were most of the other people and all the children quickly settled in and made friends.

Idliketobeabutterfly · 25/08/2016 05:44

Ours is full time from the start but first day starts an hour later than normal.

Chrisinthemorning · 25/08/2016 06:27

DS starts too. He's our only and I feel so sad. I have a day off a week with him and we always have a lovely time. I'm going to miss our days together so much.
He'll be fine I think, he was in the school nursery and knows most of his class, his teachers, already has the uniform etc. Our stumbling block will be getting him to wear uniform every day.

Bigfam · 25/08/2016 06:37

Hi elodies
Hope your poorly dt is feeling a bit better?

My 4.5 year old starts in september, she is completely ready to go as well! She has a few friends from nursery that are going up with her. Apparently she was a little angel at nursery so I hope she continues to be in reception although none of the teachers believe me that she's a whirlwind at home!

We've got all of her uniform, just debating whether she should have her hair cut. She's got the most unruly hair ever, there's no parting to it, just sort of sits on the top of her head in a mass of curls (very high maintenance)

MrsMulder · 25/08/2016 07:59

This came up on the dreaded Facebook the other day, I couldn't get to the end without crying

September 2016 school starters
TooTweeOrNotTooTwee · 25/08/2016 08:53

Oh no MrsMulder now I'm crying on the way into work. That's no good at all!! SadBlush

louisejxxx · 25/08/2016 09:38

Gate crashing despite not having a school starter - this will be me next year when my youngest starts...I could burst into tears just thinking about it and it's a year away!

Original poster
ElodieS · 25/08/2016 09:39

Hi Bigfam! waves She’s ok thanks, still in but she’s responding well to the IVs. We’re considering tinkering with her medication but not sure it’s worth the potential fall out so close to school starting. How’s your LO doing?

I was so disappointed they get all their stationary provided, although I think I did at primary school too – I LOVE stationary and was very much looking forward to choosing it. I’ll just have to wait until secondary school by which time they’ll probably want to choose their own hideous stuff.

Is your LO nervous about school at the moment Craster? We’ve been reading When an Elephant Comes to School by Jan Ormerod, but my answer to any change is just to buy a book to be honest, so might not suit everyone…

Plant are your DTs going to be in the same class? Mine are identical too, but I had a quiet word with the teacher when we went in for a taster day last term and told her I’d start them off with different coloured hair bands/ties… I guess that’s easier with girls.

OP posts:
Bigfam · 25/08/2016 10:11

Glad to hear she is improving elodies
Does the school know that from time to time they will both be unwell and likely off school? Ds is off to the dentist today, not sure what they can do to be honest, he's got a hell of an abscess. I'm gutted really because he does look after his teeth, it's developed from a broken/cracked tooth Sad
Dd3 already has bigger school shoes than ds & she looks older too Grin

Pengweng · 25/08/2016 10:23

My DTs are going to be in separate classes. They are Frat and not even remotely alike at all so I don't have to worry about them being mistaken for each other.

I am now worrying about having to deal with two different teachers and two whole new sets of friends (and the bloody party invitations) who may not be aware that they are a twin. And I am ok with them being invited to parties without each other I'm just not sure that a just turned 4 year old will understand! Though DT2 couldn't give a fig about parties and dressing up so at least I only have to worry about one of them. It's all so complicated wanting them to learn to be their own person without their feelings getting trampled in the process.

allowlsthinkalot · 25/08/2016 10:32

Dd is due to start Reception and is an April birthday so not Compulsory School Age for another year. I've opted to send her two days a week for the Reception year.

Bigfam · 25/08/2016 11:08

That's a point I'd completely forgotten allowlsthinkalot (sending them full or half days) is anyone else opting for half days/fewer days? Dd2 spent 6 hours 2x a week at nursery so don't think she'll have any problems starting full time.

Bigfam · 25/08/2016 11:11

Would you have preferred your dt's to be in the same class Pengweng?
Are your dt's in the same class elodies? (Sorry if you've already said) Smile

Original poster
ElodieS · 25/08/2016 12:00

Yes, we had a long discussion with them about CF, time off, their medications, infection control etc last term, and in the first half term our CF centre will even do a session with their teachers, which is fab. I think they'll be fine on that front. Yep, they'll be in the same class, they gave us the choice and we spent ages umm-ing and ahh-ing about what's best. Hopefully we made the right decision for them!

Your poor DS, sounds really rubbish. Is he eating ok? I'm sure they'll be able to sort it out, but it's horrid when they have things like that, my girls are awful at the dentist too... hopefully he'll get several stickers! Do let us know how you get on.

OP posts:
beanhunter · 25/08/2016 18:51

Elodie that's good to hear.

Mine also not compulsory school age for another year but has been at nursery 10hrs/day x4 days so I suspect she will
Be fine. She's really excited and will get cross with the half days I suspect!

Didiplanthis · 25/08/2016 20:51

My DT's school is small village school so only one class for reception composite with yr 1 so no choice of splitting them but I don't think I would have anyway - they are fairly independent of each other but look out for each other too. I am dreading the playdate/ party situation too especially as one is much more relaxed and outgoing than the other and tends to have a bigger circle of friends so is likely to get more invites but will be less bothered where my other is much more insecure and needy so will be very upset about this but I feel they need their own friendships and don't want them to have to come as a package ! I wonder if I can get away with coloured hair clips ( boys ) - one loves a bit of bling !!

Crasterwaves · 25/08/2016 22:18

Elodie, mine is not very articulate so hadn't said they are nervous, but seems to get all het up when we are doing stuff for school eg buying school shoes etc etc.

I also like books and we've been watching time for school and the topsy and Tim where they go to hatchem primary for the first time - cute and all on iplayer if anyone else fancies a watch.

Mine is very socially immature and struggled to fit in at nursery - just have visions of them wandering alone on the playground/in free play time in the classroom while everyone else is in groups and hope teacher/TA will help if that happens.

drspouse · 26/08/2016 20:54

Poor DS had his last but one day in nursery today (school starts on the 1st but he's in nursery on the Weds). He was in tears at bedtime over leaving. I'm glad he has full days from the 5th as otherwise he'd be hanging around the house moping (or more likely getting confused with half days in school and half in nursery).

I'm actually quite proud of him as his normal means of coping if he's upset is to lash out rather than tell us what's wrong.

slightlyglitterbrained · 27/08/2016 04:54

DS is supposed to have his last week at nursery next week, but has been ill with d&v. Hoping it clears up so he can return, as it'll be a bit sad if he never goes back.

catkind · 27/08/2016 16:25

Mine is very socially immature and struggled to fit in at nursery
Aw, that was DS too. He got there in time with Reception. He was always friendly with his class but found a best buddy I think it was after xmas. In reception they had a lot of activities where they were working/playing with another child or a group in class, so when it came to free play they were all used to playing with any of the class in different combinations. I think in some ways school can be easier than nursery as all the same children are there every day.

Hope your DS gets better in time slightly. If not could you pop in with him one day after school just to say bye to the staff?
Last days at preschool were back in July for us, DD was at a term time one. I'm secretly a bit pleased DD's best preschool mate is going to another school as they play up something rotten together. She's got some good friends going into her class who she's more sensible with.