Hi!
DS is starting Reception. I was under the impression he'd do a week or two of half days and build up gradually to full-time. Admittedly this would have suited him as he just turned 4 two days ago and tires very quickly.
I was really surprised to find out last term that they are splitting the class of 30 into groups of 10 (roughly Autumn/Spring/Summer birthdays and having them in school on different days. Their logic is that groups of 10, or 20 when the groups are combined, gives the teachers a chance to observe them. I understand this.
However this means that in week 1, DS goes to school on the Wednesday only. Nothing on the other days. Same in Week 2, then full-time from Monday week 3.
The older children get 3 days overall rather than the 2 days in Week 1 and 2.
I feel cross about this as I don't feel some children should have more days than others. Why should the youngest have less chance to be observed?
Also I don't think this is a sensible introduction to school for the children. I've decided to tell my son he's 'visiting' school rather than starting school. How do you tell a 4 year old he's not going to school for another week?! It seems bonkers to me!!
Historically I think parents who need childcare have complained about half days, so this may be the reason, but I feel school arrangements should be in the children's interests not parents, and anyway is this any better for working parents?!
Should I let it go, or should I talk it through with school?? I don't want to be branded a difficult parent before term even starts!! And nothing is going to change. I might want a job there some day so trying to keep quiet but feeling cross really... Any advice please??