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Primary education

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

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Original poster

How do you deal with induction days?

23 replies

Justgettingbye · 03/07/2021 19:51

My DD is starting reception in September and I will also be starting a new job in a school. Just got the schedule through and term starts on the 1st, states home visits will be on the 1st 2nd or 3rd (we don't know yet) and it's odd hours until the 20th I think. I feel awkward with it being a new job to ask to come in late here leave early there. How do other working parents do it? Are breakfast/after school clubs running? (Will check with school but wondered if those who have been through it already could help!) thank you

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Chiffandbip · 03/07/2021 19:58

I am in exactly your position. I am starting a new job in a school in September and the school we had signed DD up for had three whole weeks of half days in September.
I’ve ended up in-enrolling her and am now sending her to a different school which offers full time from day one with an early breakfast club.
The head at the original school gave me short shrift when I emailed to suggest that three weeks worth of half days was too much for working parents and most children have done far longer days at pre school than a full school day.
Could you try a different school?

Original poster

Justgettingbye · 03/07/2021 20:23

Oh wow how funny. Are you going into teaching or support role? I know, some kids were doing 30 hour weeks at preschool and now we're back to 2 hours at a time. Unfortunately another school isn't possible the school she's at wasn't our first choice anyway and they're all oversubscribed in the area

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Original poster

Justgettingbye · 03/07/2021 20:23

@Justgettingbye

@Chiffandbip

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Bobholll · 03/07/2021 21:29

I’ve no idea why schools drag out the first few weeks. Thankfully, our school isn’t at all. We have one half day on 6th & full time on 7th.

The vast majority of kids these days have been in nursery or pre-school. Most will be used to long days out the house away from mum & dad. Not all but most. I understand maybe a couple half days, particularly with covid & the cancelling of induction activities. But it doesn’t need to be 3 weeks 😱 it’s like the school are having a free pass to have less kids for a bit!

From experience with nursery, the longer you drag out the transition, the more hysterical children get. It’s best to put on your big girl pants, give them a kiss, hand them over & say goodbye! The more you faff, the sadder they get!

Really difficult OP.. speak to the school maybe?

RNBrie · 03/07/2021 21:31

Legally you are entitled to a full time place from the start of term so the school has to take your child if you ask them to.

Birminghambloke · 03/07/2021 22:42

@RNBrie

Legally you are entitled to a full time place from the start of term so the school has to take your child if you ask them to.

This.

Chiffandbip · 04/07/2021 00:39

No legally they only have to give full time places to 5 year olds and above. This is how they get away with such nonsense.
It really discriminated against working parents who can’t afford the time off work.

Original poster

Justgettingbye · 04/07/2021 09:23

@Bobholll that's good you've only got 2 days , is your child in reception? I definitely think dragging it out isn't for the best then it will be half term then back to the start.

I didn't know about the legal stuff tbh. A talk with the school is needed

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BadlydoneHelen · 04/07/2021 10:46

A child is entitled to a full time place from the September following their 4th birthday- nothing to do with turning 5. You can insist on a full time place for your child (but they will hate you for it!)

Birminghambloke · 04/07/2021 12:06

Yes, speak to the HT and advise your child is ready for full time from the start. Schools can do these (unnecessary and a pain for all IMO) long transitions, but ultimately if you wish your child to be in full time (and no underlying issues as to why this might not be best for the child or any additional support required for child) then the child should and can be in. The HT might try a push back but you can insist and he or she will know they can’t insist. Give it a few weeks and the same HTs then insist on no absence!

Bobholll · 04/07/2021 16:07

@Justgettingbye - yep reception. The school letter said that from experience, they find children settle far better with a short induction period.

There are several primaries in my area & I have friends with kids starting school in most of them this year. Two others are also doing a very short induction - two half days & then in and the other two are dragging it out over a full week. I’d accept that but I’d be complaining a lot about 3 weeks!

Schools here don’t start until 6th though, it’s still school hold the first week in September..

VaguelyInteresting · 04/07/2021 16:10

Yeah we’ve got 2 weeks of half days, no school days, parent days, stay and plays, lunches with no lessons... it’s insane. I’m a LP, work full time and start 2 new jobs next month that it will be too soon to take leave from.

Am in the process of cobbling together hours at his nursery (that he’s “leaving”), ExDP to come and pick up some of the slack, DM and his friends mum, who is also a childminder.

What a fucking headache. good practice for school holidays I suppose.

lanthanum · 04/07/2021 22:47

Our local primary does a long induction period, but the pre-school next door will take the kids in the afternoons. It's a 9-3 pre-school, so the families most in need are not the ones who used it as a pre-school.

Do you know other parents? You might find someone who works more flexibly who would be happy to have yours in return for some childcare during half-terms.

I think a lot of people do end up having to invite grandparents to stay for the induction period.

Readinstead · 07/07/2021 02:04

Usually the school that dgs will start at in September has all children in full-time from the first day of term but this year, due to not having the planned induction days, he will have 2 half days in the first full week and then full time from 13th.

Dustyhedge · 07/07/2021 07:56

It is a massive pain. One of my friends had this for 6 weeks at her son’s school. When we had it we managed with annual leave, working from home etc but it’s not ideal as couldn’t use wrap around during that time either. We had it lucky though as were both working from home as was last year. If you’re in a school yourself and have limited annual leave then your options are going to be limited.

randomsabreuse · 07/07/2021 08:03

My DC started school twice (changed country). First time was straight in as the nursery class was half days in the same room as reception. Second was last August and they had 2 slightly shorter days (1pm finish) then into the full time pattern...

Both times the class settled well, especially the Covid time one where parents were not allowed on the premises so goodbyes were quick and in the playground!

traumatisednoodle · 07/07/2021 08:10

2 suggestions, firstly do you have a DP who is not starting a new job ? They van ask for parental leave (unpaid) for up to 4 weeks per child per year. Otherwise as others have said insist on ft from day 1. The more parents who do this the less this ridiculous and out dated pratice will continue.

Longdistance · 07/07/2021 08:15

@RNBrie exactly. My dds were given a crappy schedule, it was half days, those that were older had the first week as half days, the youngest had 3 weeks of that shit, even though my dds were both in full time nursery. We went to the head, who helped and dds started full time and both went to breakfast and ASC, just like they did at nursery.

Original poster

Justgettingbye · 07/07/2021 15:23

Unfortunately I don't know any parents we've recently moved to the area and what with covid etc. I've applied for breakfast club but they cannot confirm if it will go ahead because of the school bubble system (yet we're filling football stadiums). I do have a DP but he doesn't work set hours but he will have to take annual leave. I think the worst sessions are 1:15 to 3:15 I mean wtf.

Seems like we're all the same boat then it will be half term, the joys

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Gremlin1 · 09/07/2021 16:45

Our son's primary is doing two full weeks of half days. I emailed to ask if there were any other options given that my husband and I both work full time but was given pretty short shrift!

In all honestly it's manageable but a pain for us - imagine it causes real issues for many parents whose work situations are less flexible.

BackforGood · 09/07/2021 22:53

The same question comes up each year.

People manage by both parents juggling work favours; many use Grandparents (never an option for us); friends (at that stage I didn't know any SAHP); and wonderful, wonderful Childminders.

It really is a pain.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 15/07/2021 20:57

Dear HT,

Thank you so much for sending through the induction schedule.

Unfortunately that doesn't work for us, so Johnny will require a full-time place from the first day of term. If you could let the school office and any other relevant teachers know that would be very helpful.

Look forward to meeting you all in September!

If they push back then explain you are legally entitled to a full year of education for your child and hold your ground.

The whole staggered induction process is a total nightmare for parents and of zero help to children who have probably been in longer nursery hours for years.

Silversun83 · 21/07/2021 09:57

My DD has just finished reception and had three weeks of reduced hours.

Whilst I agree it isn't ideal, particularly for working parents (I am one), part of it is to have reduced numbers in the class (so eg half will do mornings and half afternoons) so the teachers can get to know the children better.

And tbh it was a breeze compared to the six-week summer holidays

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