Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

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

Original poster

School

36 replies

flowergem · 30/07/2021 00:12

Hello I'm looking for some advice, my daughter has just turned 4 and due to start full time in September she hasn't been to nursery due to covid. I feel full time will be to much for her, I'm going to ask the headteacher of she can go part time, but the teacher didn't seem keen. I'm thinking of keeping her home until she's 5 or start her in the January term

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Maggiesfarm · 30/07/2021 02:23

Some schools offer mornings only for children who start school very young, just for the first term. They get used to school gradually that way and it seems sensible.

Is the primary you are talking about the only one in your area? I think in your place I would look around for somewhere else that can accommodate your wishes.

MySecretHistory · 30/07/2021 02:55

@Maggiesfarm

Some schools offer mornings only for children who start school very young, just for the first term. They get used to school gradually that way and it seems sensible.

Is the primary you are talking about the only one in your area? I think in your place I would look around for somewhere else that can accommodate your wishes.

Which schools?

That used to be occasionally offered but is very unusual now. Some schools have a staggered start/part time of a couple of weeks but not a whole term

Depending on her birthdate you cant just keep her at home and keep the place open.

You either have to defer through a formal process and she would start reception in 2022 (this is not an automatic right) or otherwise she would go straight into year 1 (and you may have to find a year 1 place).

tommmanndjjerrry · 30/07/2021 03:21

I would just put her in full time and let her get used to it, when will be the right time? She may struggle to adapt if she becomes accustomed to half days, she will miss out on lunch times and play times - the chance to socialise freely and make friends.

KatherineOfGaunt · 30/07/2021 03:43

Does the school do a staggered start anyway? Some have reception do half days for a while before moving on to full days.

I've taught reception. Kids seem to manage fine.

prh47bridge · 30/07/2021 08:09

Assuming you are in England, some of the above posts are wrong.

You have the right to start your daughter part time. The school has no say in the matter. You don't have to ask their permission. You simply tell them what you intend to do. Given your daughter's age, you could send her part time throughout Reception and only start full time in Y1.

You also have the right to defer entry provided your daughter starts school no later than the start of the summer term next year. Again, the school has no say in the matter. They must hold your daughter's place open for her. So, there is no problem with her starting school in January. If that is what you want, all you have to do is tell the school that is what you are doing.

You do not have the right to defer entry for a full year. You can ask but it is up to the school and LA whether they agree to your request. IF they did, your daughter would start in Reception next year but there is no guarantee it would be at the same school. You would have to apply for a school place again.

Nix32 · 30/07/2021 08:20

Be aware that if you keep her at home until January/when she turns 5, she will have missed all the early maths and phonics teaching that the other children will have had. This will mean she is immediately playing catch-up and will be a disadvantage to her.

If you feel she is not ready, deferring for the whole year is a much better option than starting in the middle of the year.

stardust40 · 30/07/2021 08:33

In our school we don't do staggered starts as it's usually unsettling for the children ..... getting straight into the normal routine seems to work the best. However if the eyfs teacher or a parent feels a child is getting too tired they will move to a reduced timetable...... usually missing a couple of afternoons. However it's quite rare.... most children come in and thrive! Maybe give it a try and see? Your little one might surprise you!

hiredandsqueak · 30/07/2021 08:35

I sent my dd part time in reception and for only two mornings a week in nursery. The school, I think, would have preferred her to be full time but it was my choice. It was the right thing for my dd and she and I have fond memories of the stuff we did outside of school. It didn't affect friendships or her ability to settle once full time or academically.

Original poster
flowergem · 30/07/2021 20:27

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice, I have emailed the headteacher asking if she can go part time

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 30/07/2021 20:45

@flowergem

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice, I have emailed the headteacher asking if she can go part time
Don't take no for an answer. It is your decision, not the schools. The Admissions Code is clear on the point - para 2.16(c) in the current Code, 2.17(c) in the Code that comes into force in September.
Original poster
flowergem · 30/07/2021 21:12

Thank you 😊 the school do put pressure on you to go full time, the teacher has come out to me asking if my daughter was starting in September then called me. It's like they get commission 😡

OP posts:
toomuchfaster · 30/07/2021 21:30

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Nix32 · 30/07/2021 21:49

@toomuchfaster Brilliant post.

@flowergem Why would you assume the teachers want anything other than the best for your child?

Maggiesfarm · 31/07/2021 10:25

My two & nephew started school mornings only for one term, nephew half a term being an October baby. It worked well for them and the time soon passed.

Bobholll · 31/07/2021 13:47

@flowergem- don’t become a parent that teachers hate dealing with. Obviously, do what’s best for your child but don’t think teachers are the enemy. They are experienced & know that most children settle well into full time school. It’s complicated when you have part time kids, mostly because the part time children often don’t want to be. I’ve had children in tears every lunch time because they don’t want to go home. Or confused & also worry they are missing stuff with their friends.

As teachers, we will help, we will reassure, we’ll make it as normal as possible.

I’m confused why your child has missed nursery cos of covid - they only closed for 3 months?!

Just don’t be a knob. Schools & teachers are not the devil.

Original poster
flowergem · 31/07/2021 15:41

With all my children I started them in the march in nursery, and them I didn't see the point in sending her for 6weeks to have 7weeks off I felt that would confuse her more. I get what you're saying but I do feel it would be best for her to do part time as she has just turned 4 it's a long week for a 4 year old I feel. If she does enjoy it and crying not to come home obviously I will let her stay full time.

OP posts:
Original poster
flowergem · 31/07/2021 15:42

I'm not one of them mums who can't wait to send there children to school that are only little once

OP posts:
Maggiesfarm · 31/07/2021 16:50

Them mums :-) ?

I suppose I was the same but at my children's school, it was the norm.

Dauphinois · 31/07/2021 21:18

@Nix32

Be aware that if you keep her at home until January/when she turns 5, she will have missed all the early maths and phonics teaching that the other children will have had. This will mean she is immediately playing catch-up and will be a disadvantage to her.

If you feel she is not ready, deferring for the whole year is a much better option than starting in the middle of the year.

Totally agree with this.
Dalooah · 31/07/2021 21:47

My LO starts reception in September too but has been going to the preschool/nursery at the same school for the last year (actually about a term (autumn) and a half (last half of summer) and when they started in September last year it was only for the morning sessions as I thought it would be too much, too.

However about 3 weeks in I was being begged to let them stay for lunch so they could play with their friends even more.

I think you're legally allowed to not send your child to school till the term after they turn 5 and you won't lose your place. Most schools will allow you to have a part-time schedule as there is no statutory requirement for the child to be in school. Generally schools prefer to have all the children in full time as it's easier on them logistically/ensuring they're all up to speed etc.

I'd suggest that you 'tell' (nicely!) your school that you'd prefer a part time schedule and see how it goes. You know your child best and it's in yours and their best interest that you advocate for them.

You might be surprised, like I was, then your. DC asks to stay for the whole day, and then you'll definitely know it's the right thing for them!

Good luck!

NerrSnerr · 31/07/2021 21:53

My daughter is an end of august child and is now going into year 3. She did attend nursery from the age of 1 but was still very little when she started school. Reception was very chilled, I remember her teacher telling me that when they did the open play after lunch my daughter would have a lie down and close her eyes for a bit, and would get up and play after she'd had a rest.

I think it would have been more difficult for her to have started later and miss the early phonics.

Nix32 · 01/08/2021 07:28

'Generally schools prefer to have all the children in full time as it's easier on them logistically/ensuring they're all up to speed etc.'

It's not about it being 'easier' it's about it being possible. With 30 children in a class, if they have all had the same learning opportunities since September, how do you expect them to cater to an individual child's needs if they have missed that crucial early phonics/maths input? One to one teaching? Unlikely.

hiredandsqueak · 01/08/2021 08:04

@Nix32 well for d she learnt far more out of school than she did in school so it wasn't a problem. Despite her very part time attendance in nursery and mornings only in reception she got the highest EYFS score her teacher had ever known.
It might have been more convenient for the school had she been in full time but I don't think it would have been better for dad

Nix32 · 01/08/2021 08:28

@hiredandsqueak I'm absolutely pro home learning, but that's not what the OP is asking about.

If a child attends school part time and home learning can fill any gaps, brilliant. My point is, you can't expect a child who missed those stages at school (and who isn't being taught them at home) to simply start school and be at the expected level.

Porcupineintherough · 01/08/2021 08:34

There is no harm in the OP starting her dd with mornings only, if she feels that would be best for her child. And legally it's her right to do so.