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Got to change schools due to relocation - how do I prepare my DD to make the switch?

7 replies

honory · 26/05/2010 12:03

My daughter will go into Year One in September and will have to move schools whilst we relocate. She is in a lovely school at the moment but has had a taster day at the new school. We will not move until next year so will commute the distance until then - I work nearby- does anyone have any ideas about how best to break this news to her and prepare her mentally for the transition? We haven't yet told her she is leaving!!!

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boyngirl · 26/05/2010 13:42

I want to hear repies/suggestions to this too honory as will be moving both my primary dc next year.
I think you just have to tell her straight, don't get too emotional or apologetic or she will pick up on the fact it's something to fret about. I guess make it sound exciting but also acknowledge it might be sad or scary for her to leave her current school. Say lots of children move schools and make friends.
Sorry not massively helpful but it's all I will do.

honory · 28/05/2010 12:45

thanks for that boyngirl - you make some sensible suggestions. I'll be in for it come september!

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NoahAndTheWhale · 28/05/2010 16:57

I have a Y1 DS and nursery DD and they just had their last day at their (lovely) school today as we are moving just after half term. I went for the line of being matter of fact about it (despite my own worries) and they both seem excited which is good .

Will let you know in a couple of weeks how they settle into their new school

Ellokitty · 28/05/2010 17:09

We moved houses / towns / schools this term and my DD is in year 1.

To help her move, we let her have a leaving party to say goodbye to all her old friends. She focussed on that a lot, so she didn't really think about the move too much. At her party, we took lots of photos of her old friends so that she could remember them.

Then we let her have something new to look forward to in the new house - a special treat that she wasn't allowed in the old house. DD chose to have a tv in her room. We allow her to do this, but it is not connected to an aerial, so she only gets to watch DVDs on it on a sunday morning, whilst we have a lit in .

We also said that being the new girl was something special, and that she was lucky because she would have the opportunity to make lots of new friends, have friends over for play dates and so on. Since being here, we have made a real effort with the play dates and she has actually made lots of friends.

We have now been here 6 weeks, and she hasn't looked back. She has made lots of friends and is really happy here. No problems at all.

Good luck with the move.

RollaCoasta · 28/05/2010 18:59

Children aren't really like adults. They forget their old friends very quickly, as they move on into their new experiences and start to build new social circles.

I work in a school with a high turnover due to service children and find that, generally, incoming children bond quickly with 'similar' children in the class, whoever you've given them as a 'buddy'. (I put 'similar' in quote marks, because the 'similarity' could be horseriding, Barbie, level of conversation, flute playing - all manner of things). Most seem to have a 6th sense that helps them choose friends appropriately within hours of arrival.

As regards old friends - it's usually mummy reminding them about them, that sparks a vague memory! (And that is very important - I'm not saying you shouldn't do it by any means!)

We find that children who get upset are those who do not like change in routine. They are shoved into a new environment that is very strange to them. These are the children who miss their old school and miss their old friends. They are very few and far between. I've had 9 new year 2s this year and none of them have cried at all. (Four of these started by themselves part way through the year.)

As your child is starting in September, with all the rest of the children, after a long holiday, there should be no problem whatsoever.

And well done to your DD Elokitty - it's sometimes not easy to move this term!

NoahAndTheWhale · 28/05/2010 20:26

I am going to be very gregarious or at least as much as I can manage and invite whichever people DS seems to like over to play etc. Just want to fast forward a bit I think.

frecklyspeckly · 31/05/2010 22:44

Back in Jan we finally made decision to sell up and move too. New area is an hour away. Ds will be going into year 3 and DD yr 1 in September. As always, its nice to hear of people in the same position. DD has been perfectly happy at this school but DS has had issues all along really, so is more than ready for a fresh start. It is worrying though. Just looking forward to them making some nice friends who can come and play. Thats all I want.

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