DD1 started primary school last September - moving advice pls

[becks5109]

DD1 started recpetion last September at a school just at the end of our road. It was not our choice of school but the only one we were allocated. It is not a great school but she has a fabulous teacher. She really enjoys it and has settled in really well. I however do not like the school at all, the other parents are very undesirable (as well as unfriendly). We have now been offered a place at a much better school - logistically harder to get too, but a great ofsted and more likely to have children and parents who are socially more like us (hope that doesn't sound really snobby). So my worry is that DD1 won't want to move but we do want her to move. She won't have to wear uniform at her new school so I'm hoping the bribe of some new clothes and shoes will help but can you think of other ways of explaining the benefits of moving to her - she is 4.5

I think you will just have to accept she will be angry at you for a while, but will get over it. She has no choice in the matter, she is 4.5 so resilliant, and will be fine-it is better for her in the long run, which is the main thing. You cannot REALLY explain the benefits of a good education to a 4.5 year old-you cannot make them understand the virtues of leaving their friends for another school, and it ends up making things even messier.

My instinct would be just to present it as 'this is what is going to happen'. At 4.5, you don't really need to get into too many explanations, just focus on her new 'big' school which will be so exciting. I personally wouldn't even start comparisons, just build up the new school.

Will she be able to do a visit? Or just launch right in? Maybe worth finding someone who already has children there and seeing if you can get to know some of the other reception mums.

Thanks ladies - yes you're right will definitely present it as a done deal with no choice! She is very resilient and sociable so am hoping she will adapt. I'm hoping the idea of going in her own new clothes and going on the bus will appeal to her. She is coming to look around it with us on Thursday and we'll enquire to see if any of the children live near us for a possible playdate in half term - fingers crossed! We are just so over the moon to be able to get her moved so quickly in the year - we can't quite believe our luck!

Due to my husbands job I have had to move my dc alot!
I always try and find the positives about the new place. It maybe they have some fun play equipment in the playground, there is a park just down the road - great for after school playdates etc. I even make cr*p stuff positive (dont get away with it as much now, but OK when they are younger). If it means you can no longer walk to school turn it into - how fab we will drive to school/have fun catching the bus/ no more walking to school on wet days etc etc or vice versa!!
When looking around the school if they teacher says something like "we have a book fair once a term" Just say stuff like "oh wow how cool is that" to your DD, even if the old school does the same!! Its all about being uber positive!!
Same if nearer her leaving date she says "oh but I'll miss so in so" sympathise but go on about the exciting new friends to be made!!

Good luck with it all!! It will be fine in the end!! She is young enough to go with it.

thanks slummy mummy I did alot of that this morning - hyped up being able to not wear uniform and that she can go to school on the bus and that her dad could some days take her on the back of the bike etc. and she seemed to start absorbing it so I think she's going to be fine