Start of school has lost its shine

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

I probably am being unreasonable and I appreciate in the grand scheme of what could be 13 years of education this will be hugely insignificant but just to have a little whine about the start of school.
My eldest has just started reception, firstly as with everyone else, we never got to view the school- there was an online video and a brief zoom call, and a 10min meet the teacher (where the teacher said nothing and I asked a few practical questions- utterly pointless!). Fine cest la vie.

We have had a ridiculously staggered start, my child had two single hour sessions this week with half the class and still won’t go back until next Wednesday. Some kids have been wearing uniform others not. Friends and family have asked me when the “big day is”- and quite frankly I have no idea as the first day she went in, the first day she will wear uniform and the first day her whole class are in are different, spread across 3 weeks. It’s bloody confusing to explain to my child.
It has also become apparent that those in the nursery attached to the school the teacher knows the names of, and my child (despite 3 meetings) she has no idea and has reverted to “hi darling” and “bye darling”.
I have no idea what the classroom looks like, what she’s been doing in these 1hr slots- as there’s no chatting with the teacher after the sessions. I feel very deflated by it all.
Anyone else feel like this or thanks to social media are expectations about the big school start causing me to feel flat?

I do agree that some schools don’t half drag out starting reception. This is nothing new, it happened pre-covid as well. It blows my mind how wildly different approaches are between schools. My DD started on Tuesday, straight in, full day. She’s been happy as larry, no problems at all. On the other end of the spectrum I’ve got friends who are doing half days every other day for 3 weeks 😱 & another who has had 3 full days & then has an entire week off while the other half of her year group go in!

It’s madness. And so confusing for children. Most of whom have been in nursery for long days since they were 1. Or at least pre-school somewhere! There needs to be some consistency. A couple half days are probably quite nice as they settle in. But not weeks on end, start stopping! I don’t understand why schools think this is a good way to settle kids in?! Kids need consistency & routine to feel secure. Imagine starting a new job as an adult & then stopping for a week. It cause my anxieties to build up hugely!

The rest though, I think lower your expectations. School isn’t nursery. You won’t stand having a chat about your kids day & what they’ve done & eaten. The teacher spots you in the playground, shouts to your child & your kids comes running out. There’s no chatting unless there’s a problem! That’s just how school is. You are relying on your child to tell you about their day - blood from a stone 😂 I find not immediately asking questions best. I simply ask if she’s had a happy day & then we walk to the car, no questions. Gradually info comes out on her own terms & I ask a few questions once we get home!

Social media is just photos in uniforms, I’m not sure what you expected from that 🤷🏼‍♀️

The staggered start is hopeless and I agree that it is just a massive pain in the arse.

The teacher may not remember the children's names yet if she has only seen them on two 1hr slots on 2 separate days! Give her a chance.

Dgs has had 2 settling in half days this week each with a different set of 5-6 children and starts full-time on Monday. Other local schools, even those in the same MAT, are doing things completely differently. Two half days worked well for dgs2 but equally he would have coped well with full days from day 1, which was the approch the school used pre-covid when they could do home visits and taster sessions in July.

Our DS primary has done the opposite dropped settling in sessions and my DS started this week right in all day straight away. He's found it tough, he's knackered and says it's a long day. I would have much preferred a staggered start.

Not like that in my school.

Reception have had 2 mornings of settling in and then full time. Parents have all been invited in and have met the teacher. It can be done if schools can be bothered, some schools seem to be using covid as an excuse!

A staggered start yes but not weeks & weeks of half days. It’s so unsettling. I’d say up to a week of half days could be appropriate.

Plus a childcare nightmare! Yes, I know my children are my responsibility but there’s a reason I paid £56 a day for nursery. I work & can’t take 3 weeks of half days! Not when I now have to cover school holidays with annual leave etc!