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Original poster

Home visit from nursery - what can I expect?

27 replies

fryalot · 12/06/2007 11:31

Dd2 is due to start nursery at the local primary school in September.

We had a letter saying that they are coming to the house to do a "home visit" on the 21st of this month.

What can I expect from this? Obviously, I will clean and tidy the house, but what are they looking for?

tia

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Original poster
fryalot · 12/06/2007 12:26

has anyone had a home visit from the nursery?

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LilRedWobblyGut · 12/06/2007 12:27

Sorry Squonk - the only home visit I've had is when I adopted my cat.

Desiderata · 12/06/2007 12:28

Oh, sorry squonk. My experience is not exactly vast, but I've never heard of it.

Sounds a bit OTT to me.

Ceolas · 12/06/2007 12:29

Never heard of it and have had 3 children at nursery

Original poster
fryalot · 12/06/2007 12:29

that was what I thought, desiderata, but the letter says they're coming, so come they will

lilred: I'm guessing they won't want to see our litter tray

thanks for replying both of you.

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Original poster
fryalot · 12/06/2007 12:29

(all three of you )

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mankyscotslass · 12/06/2007 12:30

Have heard of this for reception but not nursery. My understanding is that its a get to know the child session, but my suspicious nature is saying that it's also to confirm that you are living where you said you were....at least for reception classes in oversubscribed areas! hope someone else can help

SunshineOnARainyDay · 12/06/2007 12:30

My DD also starts nursery in September and we have been told that we can expect a home visit sometime this month or next. From what I understand it is so that they can meet DD and just to get to know her a little before she starts so that when September comes DD will be familiar with at least one person and they will know something about her. Sorry if I have waffled! HTH

UCM · 12/06/2007 12:30

My neice had this in London, I think they were making sure she actually lived where she said she did. hth

Singapore · 12/06/2007 12:32

We had a home visit from DD1 nursery teachers before she started. They just wanted to find out about her likes and dislikes, and to introduce themselves to her on familiar ground. It was a pleasant enough experience. I was a little anxious beforehadn but one of them was highjacked by my two girls and spend the time sitting on the floor playing with toy animals while I spoke with the other one.

Original poster
fryalot · 12/06/2007 12:33

It can't be to check that we live here - dd1 went to the school, I live practically next door and am on first name terms with most of the teachers at the school.... dp is a governor of the school.

Sunshine - that makes sense, if you have yours before mine, let me know what they asked?

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Ceolas · 12/06/2007 12:33

Actually, I suppose it makes sense - first contact on the child's territory?

Original poster
fryalot · 12/06/2007 12:34

so, singapore, should I leave some toys out then? I was planning on having everywhere spotless....

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SunshineOnARainyDay · 12/06/2007 12:34

Will do!

Grrrr · 12/06/2007 12:37

I'd hide the saucy dvd's and the over 18 "driller killer" type ones too, in fact hide the TV, don't want them thinking you plonk your lo in front of it for a bit of piece and quiet.

I put most of our vast collection of children's videos out of sight in a different room just before a review visit by our Health visitor.

Ds proudly showed her a jigsaw he was playing with in the sitting room when she arrived, "how lovely, aren't you clever being able to do this by yourself" she said and then off he toddled, back and forth fetching back all the videos, one by one, and presenting her with them as she was drinking her tea and filling out her paperwork in the sitting room.

Original poster
fryalot · 12/06/2007 12:38

pmsl what a clever boy

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Singapore · 12/06/2007 12:38

I did make an effort and there was a distinct smell of cleaning fluid, but the kids went and let me down by pulling out the toys to show them! It really was quite relaxed but I did feel like I was up for inspection beforehand. Thinking they would be looking at the surroundings but they didnt, well if they did they were polite enough not to mention it. Plus DD1 went on to have the most fantastic year at the most splendid nursery. We left the uk last year and one big regret was that DD2 and now DS would not get to experience the nusery at our local school, which is actually the one my DH went to, and my mil was a dinner lady at!

Original poster
fryalot · 12/06/2007 12:42

Thanks for your help.... singapore, do we have to guess where you moved to? how do you find it?

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Singapore · 12/06/2007 12:47

Flippin hot!

Its a great place with young kids, really safe with good health care and good schools. We go back to London in two weeks and I am so excited, cannot wait to see everyone and introduce our new addition.

Original poster
fryalot · 12/06/2007 12:48

aww, bet they can't wait to meet him

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Singapore · 12/06/2007 12:57

I am also looking forward to some decent tv, I have never read so many books and am now addicted to MN!

minnisota · 12/06/2007 13:34

We had this before my son started Reception. The Nursey and Reception teacher both came and we were told it was so that the child gets to meet the new teacher in their own environment with a teacher they already know.

The Nursery teacher sat with me on one couch answering any questions I had while the Reception teacher sat on the other with my son looking through a book they wanted us to fill in for the first day. This was ticking things they can do for themselves like shoes, coats etc. drawing a picture of their friends, writing their names have they got any pets, and who lives in my house. Things like that.

I guess it will probably be different being this is for Nursery but hope it helps anyway.

mummydoit · 12/06/2007 13:40

We had one last year when DS1 started nursery. The idea is that he meets the teacher in his familiar home surroundings so she's not a scary stranger on his first day. It gives you an opportunity to chat about any concerns you might have. DS1 is ridiculously attached to a scruffy blue teddy which he carries everywhere and I was concerned they might try to separate him from it so we were able to talk about that. I found it very reassuring and thought it was very good of the nursery staff to go to the trouble.

Original poster
fryalot · 12/06/2007 13:44

the more I hear about it, the more I am happy about this, it seems like a fab idea.

thanks for putting my mind at rest, everyone.

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ChazsBarmyArmy · 12/06/2007 13:51

We had a home visit before DS started his local council nursery at 3. Two of the staff came. One sat and played with him on the floor and the other spoke to us. They wanted to know things like what sort of games he liked & what would be the best toys to have ready for him on his first day to help him settle. They asked if there were any areas where he was particular strong or things that he might struggle with. They also wanted to know what we hoped to get out of the nursery experience. I gave a fair assessment of DS including pointing out things where I thought he might need help e.g. sharing and negotiating with other children. I made it clear that at 3 years old I was less concerned with the academic side of things than him settling into the nursery environment and learning the social skills that would help him through school. Its also useful to highlight things like if your child uses unusual words for needing the toilet etc. (DH speaks Arabic so sometimes DS will ask in Arabic rather than English for the toilet). They made a note of the Arabic words so at least they understood if DS used them.
I deliberately did not get involved with DS playing with the other keyworker to give her a chance to assess him for herself.
I also was careful not to paint DS as a perfect angel as I was concerned that the first time he acted up in nursery they would assume it was because he had a problem there rather than just putting it down to being a normal 3yr old.
He has been really happy at his nursery.
I don't think they are looking to judge you but just to get a feel for the child in a relaxed setting rather than clinging to your leg at the first visit to the nursery.