Children that did well at pre-school, but struggled in Reception

[MemoriesDad]

Hi there

Does anyone else have any experience of a child that did really well in pre-school(about the best at reading/writing - obviously only the odd couple of words though!) but really hasn't made the expected progress in Reception? In our case, it's been a really big drop-off.

We're very worried and our considering changing school.

Thanks

MD

I teach reception and always remind parents that there is an enormous difference in the child to adult ratio between school and nursery and this can lead to rapid progress in some areas not being sustained. Can I ask why you believe your child has not made expected progress? Is that what you have been told?

I have a dd who seemed much happier and involved in pre-school than she has done in reception. I think she enjoyed smaller groups and more adults around. Academically though she's doing very well so I haven't had the same experience as you in that way. If it helps to guage it, she could read a bit before starting school and is now on orange/turquoise coloured books.

Why do you think the child's progress has been different from your expectations? Is it down to the school, or has your child become disinterested or distracted for some reason? I can understand your concerns though and would probably be looking for an explanation too. What does the class teacher say?

Is it a drop off, or a plateau?

Children at that age have spurts of suddenly being able to do things, then have periods where they don't seem to change at all. It may be that your DC had a little peak at the end of pre-school, and then the others have had peaks in reception.

Have you spoken to your DC's teacher?

How do you know he hasn't made progress?

The crucial question is, is he happy, and does he trot cheerfully into school, and come out at the end of the day clutching a blobby painting and eager to tell you about his day?

If so, sod the literacy - there's plenty of time for that!

My DS1 was also very happy in pre-school/playgroup but is much less happy in reception, but he is doing well academically, so not quite the same thing.

Perhaps in both cases it's to do with dealing with the larger class size and less adult attention?

My DS1 was also very happy in pre-school/playgroup but is much less happy in reception, but he is doing well academically, so not quite the same thing.

Perhaps in both cases it's to do with dealing with the larger class size and less adult attention?