Reception home visits happening?

[DinkyDaisy]

Hello,
Just wondering if primary schools are having home visits for entering Reception this year?
Is it a mix of some doing so and some not?
I am aware of one school that is and another that isn't and wondering what is happening generally.
Thanks.

I’m personally happy not to have a home visit!

I remember a home visit with my eldest.
I felt worried about being judged!
Thought Covid this year might put a stop to them, at least until after the 19th of July!

@DinkyDaisy

Are you happy AnotherEmma to have staff in your home? I think I would prefer an outdoor, school visit. Or, maybe a visit to class when current Reception children not in it... I agree, consistent DFE guidelines would be useful....

I couldn't give a monkey's about the teacher coming into my home, I am not anxious about covid, rates are very low, DH and I are not clinically vulnerable, we've had one dose of the vaccine and will have had both doses by then. I think they are offering an outdoor visit anyway so it will be in our garden which is an absolute state so very low risk indeed.

I just want my DC to be able to visit his school before turning up for his first day

@AnotherEmma - could you do what I did? I rang school & explained DD would really benefit from seeing her classroom & meeting her teacher in the playground. My little girl does have intense anxiety about unknown adults so that’s been our driving force but the school were really lovely. Very apologetic and very accommodating! We are going for a visit after school one evening next month :)

Thanks I've been thinking about emailing them.
When you rang who did you speak to? Office staff, EYFS lead or head?

@AnotherEmma

I am pissed off about this and I don't think it's fair that different schools are doing different things to be honest. I think the department for education and/or local authorities should have provided clearer guidelines in consultation with the teachers' unions. Some children have been able to visit their new schools (mostly only outside but still) and others not at all. Some children are getting nursery visits and others not. Some are getting home visits and others not.

Our school is offering a home visit but my DC is absolutely desperate to see his new school, I've obviously taken him to look at it from outside but it's not the same as going in, seeing the classroom, meeting the teacher and maybe some of the other children. A home visit might help the teacher start getting to know him (and give them an idea of his home life) but it won't help him to picture the place he will be going to in September.

I will stop there because it's pissing me off too much to be eloquent on the subject but I do feel than most 4 year olds lack the mental / emotional capacity to make do with a fucking video tour.

Absolutely agree with this. My twins start in September and haven't set foot in the place and look unlikely to. We aren't even being offered a home visit. I'm a bit pissed off tbh. Year 6 went on fucking camp two weeks ago. Great, but why the sudden inconsistent covid fear when it comes to the reception starters??

@AnotherEmma - I emailed the office person off the back of the ‘everything is cancelled’ email & she said to call. I spoke to her & she went off to speak to the reception teachers. Then called me back. She was really lovely, I’m impressed so far!

We are at a small, village school. It might make the difference. The head rang me not long ago because he was calling all parents he’d notice had liked a post on Facebook about the school. It was about some fundraising the school was doing in the community. The comments had apparently gone rouge & he was mortified to have them associated with the school 😬 I thought it was very nice of him but also, what a ballache!