Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Primary education

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

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

Reception class - how are yours settling in?

130 replies

Misty9 · 11/09/2018 20:25

I thought it might be nice to have a thread for those of us with reception starters to share how they're getting on. And mine isn't even my pfb! But he was older and fine...

Dd is struggling a bit and getting upset and saying she wants to stay home with me (I'm not working much currently). She's finding the lunch time daunting as it's in a big hall. Big brother is there too but quite separate from reception at first.

I know they'll get used to it but this is hard and they're so little.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

purpleme12 · 11/09/2018 20:32

Crying when I drop her off 🙁

I think she likes it otherwise though. But she has said she'd rather stay with me. I wish she could too to be honest

Original poster

Misty9 · 11/09/2018 20:37

I know what you mean, it's hard isn't It?! Dd cries when I drop her off but not when dh does... I'm not the clingy mum type at all usually either! I just know when she's unsettled.

OP posts:

purpleme12 · 11/09/2018 20:39

So hard:-( I just want to take her really if she's crying but I can't

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 11/09/2018 20:44

So far my DS is doing fine buuuuut he's:
A) only doing half days for the first three weeks, so thus far it's not massively different to nursery
B) got several little buddies including his best friend in his class
C) at his big sister's school so has had a couple of years knocking about it so it's familiar

He's very little (July birthday), but 50% of his class are summer borns so he's not likely to be left behind. But I suspect as term goes and he gets tired and the novelty wears off he'll find it more difficult.

purpleme12 · 11/09/2018 20:45

Ours just go straight into full days!

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 11/09/2018 20:48

At my DCs school they do mornings only for the first two weeks, then mornings plus lunch for the third. At some point during the third week you meet with their teacher to agree of they're ready for full days or not.

It's not unheard of for them to keep kids who are finding it very tough on half days for the first term.

purpleme12 · 11/09/2018 20:57

I quite like the idea of gradually doing it but it'd be hard almost impossible with childcare. But they don't do that in our area anyway

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 11/09/2018 20:59

Yes, it's really tough on the working parents - and downright baffling for the kids, many of whom are used to being in nursery from 8am to 6pm or more!

LexieLulu · 11/09/2018 21:05

My son has been thrown into the deep end and is doing full time from the start.

He's absolutely exhausted of an evening now, and every question is met with "I don't know". Like what did you do today, I don't know...

It's upsetting as I'd love to know more of what he's doing

Tillypea · 11/09/2018 21:13

My DS has really taken me by surprise at how much he's enjoying it. It's such a relief to see him come out of the classroom with a big smile on his face

The only thing we're struggling with is tiredness (2nd week of doing half days), by 5pm he can barely keep his eyes open! Anyone else finding this?

purpleme12 · 11/09/2018 21:14

I agree Lexie. It's not like nursery is it. I'd love to know more. And at the end of the day I don't feel like I can go up to the teacher and ask stuff cos they're so busy with all those other kids making sure they get to their parents.

My daughter wasn't listening very well this evening and not very engaged with me. Almost a bit of an attitude. I'm just hoping to god that it's just tiredness and not a new phase

Original poster

Misty9 · 11/09/2018 21:38

Mine really hasn't been listening either purple and I think it's a combination of anger at being made to go to school and tiredness. She holds a grudge all right!

I like the idea of doing more part time hours but it's full time from next week and until 2pm this week. I find the teacher's are quite dismissive of concerns too - I know they've seen it all before but she's my baaaby!

OP posts:

Lwmommy · 11/09/2018 21:45

Doing well so far, shes gone straight in at the deep end with breakfast club, full day and after school club, but shes been full time at nursery since 9 months.

She was very happy when we picked her up yesterday because some of the older girls are teaching her cartwheels at play time. Today she came home with bracelets she made at after school club and thrilled to tell me she had a jam sandwich for her snack "not open, on top if toast mummy. Closed up with another bit of bread and it squeezed out the sides".

Lwmommy · 12/09/2018 09:00

And a complete reverse today, just left her crying her eyes out with a TA because she didn’t want to go this morning.

Swings and roundabouts

MrsST · 12/09/2018 09:08

My Dd started reception last Wednesday. Only one day has gone by where she hasn't cried as of yet. The reason isn't me, it's because she wants her DB who is next door in the pre school. It is really hard for them as they've hardly ever been apart since DS was born. They're only 13 months apart. Sometimes feel it would've been easier if they were twins and could've gone in the same class together. On the other hand it's good that they have time apart to build their own friendships.
They should be seeing each other at break times but I don't think that's happened much yet unfortunately. The reception teacher has told me that she'll let DD and DS have some time together today. I think at this age they just find everything really hard. They both have lovely teachers though so that helps with the guilt of leaving them there.

Fluteytootey · 12/09/2018 09:14

My DD has just gone for her first full day today. She was meant to start on Monday but conveniently decided to throw up all Sunday night. What great timing! I feel really nervous for her, although she doesn’t know that

Original poster

Misty9 · 12/09/2018 09:19

for all who are struggling. Dd was subdued today but didn't cry according to dh who did drop off. This week seems to be taking forever - does anyone else feel like that?!

OP posts:

QueenOfMyWorld · 12/09/2018 09:33

I'm so glad I've found this thread! My ds seems fine but isn't happy that has go go every day 😂 I'm finding it hard to get used to not being able to have a quick word/pleasantries with the teacher at pick up like we could at Nursery,it's definitely not as relaxed.Anyone else think this?

purpleme12 · 12/09/2018 09:49

Yes they're so busy with all the tones of children it's not like you can just go to up to them I don't feel like. You don't get to hear about their day. God making me feel a bit sad putting this

QueenOfMyWorld · 12/09/2018 10:58

purpleme12 I know,i haven't a clue what he's been doing .It's really impersonal

purpleme12 · 12/09/2018 11:06

Really I think it's such a lot of children in a class but then that's what school's like

Whitelisbon · 12/09/2018 11:15

My dts started in p1 3 weeks ago (scotland) and went straight into full days.
They are shattered. They get picked up by taxi at 8.15, and dropped off home again at 3.30, come in, bicker a bit, then whine and cry until bedtime.
They're loving school though, and skip off happily into the taxi every morning.
However, although they are young for the year here, they're almost 5, so would be in the older part of the year in England. I'm not sure how those of you with just turned 4 year olds are coping!

Tulip81 · 12/09/2018 12:38

My dd had cried everyday (except the first day) and has had to be taking (more like dragged) into the classroom. I'm ashamed to say I have resorted to bribery, but even that's not working. She gets herself dressed and walks to school nicely and then when it's time to go on, she starts crying. Her teacher has said that she calms down quite quickly and she always says she had a good day. We had the same, when she first started pre school.

I agree with everyone regarding missing the daily chat with the pre school staff, regarding what they've been up to. I thought she would settle quickly, having spent whole days at pre school previously. Hopefully, she will settle soon.

Lisaquin01 · 12/09/2018 12:51

My DD started on Monday and so far is ok
No tears but is very very tired

We are on a staggered start at the moment with a mix of full days and part time days but staying for lunch each day

She is joining her sisters school with lots of familiar faces from her pre school

Pigletin · 12/09/2018 13:04

My son started on Thursday last week and will be doing half days until the end of the month. The first day was just horrible, he cried all morning, all the way to school and the teacher had to physically drag him from us while he kicked and scream :( I cried my eyes out outside. But funny enough, the little monkey came out with a smile on his face, decided he likes it and has been willingly going and enjoying himself. He keeps asking us not to forget to take him every day. I still can't quite believe it and I hope he doesn't change his mind!

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6