dd's reception teacher has requested an appointment - what to expect?

[paddingtonbear1]

dd has just had her mini-report. It basically says there are problems with her behaviour, she doesn't pay attention and focus in class and she's below their expectations in writing and maths. The teacher has requested a meeting after half term. Not sure what to expect! should I be worried? Dd has recently started reception and was 4 in July. We get her to do her homework but we don't really push her at home, she still just plays basically. The school she goes to is a state primary but is quite high achieving. dd seems generally happy there so far. dh and I aren't really involved with the school as we both work, and I don't tend to see that many other mums.

Mother of a lad in DS#2's class was called in to a meeting with the reception teacher because the boy had' problems following instructions'. Turns out that he had to be told several times to put his coat on. Now, whilst I appreciate this might be annoying, surely it's not unusual in 4yr old boys. I get a subdued tut from the teacher most days because DS comes out of the class with his coat not on properly and struggling to hold his book bag, and lunch bag . I am wondering if reception teacher's 'expectations' are getting a little extreme these days.

the more i read the more grateful i am that we chose the slightly chaotic but super-friendly-and-inclusive school over the look-at-all-our-lovely-new-computers "high achieving" school. daily homework for 4 year olds

Ah but puppy, we also have a lovely chaotic friendly school, which has just been critisised by Ofsted for it's results Which might be why things are tightening up. I hate it!

all the english schools are moving over to the approach we use in wales soon though aren't they? much more play-based. although i guess a determined school could still set homework

btw our school got an exemplary report this time so that and happy chaos aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, as long as the powers that be set sensible standards and expectations.

apols to op for derail, i hope your meeting goes well.

paddington, just to answer your question, my ds is doing really well, which for ME means he is very happy to go to school and is making some friends.

We've just been told he's definitely dyspraxic though so he does have difficulties in terms of lots of things school want him to do, writing, drawing, even physical stuff in PE. Even if he didn't have these difficulties I would be feeling a constant battle with the school to try and control the amount of work sent home which I feel is ridiculous at 5.

Sorry I can't be more positive but then ds has specific needs that your child hopefully won't!

But more power to you, good for you for not wanting to push her. I agree that the expectations at school nowadays have gone madly over the top.

surprised at the scathing inditement of the school in many of these posts

it sounds like a good school if they are aware your dd may need some extra help. They could be ignoring her and letting her sink! Don't judge them or let preconceptions taint your attitude until you have actually spoken to them.

play-based learning crap IMO though so maybe I am not the best person to comment

the dds school has no home corner/dressing up bollocks thank the lord

"she's below their expectations in writing and maths"

Eh??? She just turned 4 in July fgs - I'm speechless

yes, she is probably below their expections for someone who has turned 4 in july

I'm with you hmc! What expectations can they have of a 4yr old? Recognises numbers? Count to 10? Or do long division

Will be very interested to see what they say paddington.

Well their expectations are clearly too high Enid since Paddington has already said that she is okay with letter recognition

dh took dd to school this morning and had a quick word with the teacher. It sounds like the main topic at the appointment will be how to get her to pay attention and focus more during the 'taught' sessions. so that doesn't sound too bad, I feel a bit better about it now. dd proudly showed dh some of her work, and it turns out she can write some letters (though not consistently), and recognise the letters and numbers they've learnt so far.
we were a bit at the bit of the report which said below expectations, not that dd is perfect but we just thought it a bit early ! still, hopefully if we can help her focus this will be less of a problem next time.
the school has a good reputation for results, but we didn't want dd pushed too hard yet. Given what the teacher said it does sound hopeful though, that they may not concentrate on the academic bit for now!

yes, learning through play for four year olds - ridiculous