Starting reception

[Jazzy-NICU]

My little boy is due to start school in September, he's summer born (24th Aug).
My husband and I have looked into delayed entry and are still considering it as a possibility but I wondered if anyone had any advice Re: what is expected of children in reception year?
With regards to reading/ writing, do they have to get themselves dressed for PE? Get their own school dinners?
He still seems so young I'm worried he won't know who to ask for help.

 

[seoj]

Can you contact the school he'd attend and ask questions hun? I'm sure it really varies by area... as I know for Kindergarten there are certain "guidelines" they prefer prior to starting, but it still depends on the school. Our oldest was on the younger side when she started- being born in June. But our LO will be close to 6yrs by the time she starts (she's just past the cut-off).

Kindergarten was only 1/2 days when our oldest attended- but will be full days by the time our LO goes... so it's gonna be much different I'm sure- plus it's been a long time since our teenager was in primary.

Maybe once you get some answers from the school- then you can decide whether to wait or not?

 

[Eleanor ace]

With regards to reading/writing, it will depend on the school and teacher, but typically you will get some children who can confidently write the alphabet, wimple CVC words that they know, whereas others will start and won't be able to write a recognisable letter. During the year they will work on letter formation and letter recognition, but they might not work on reading yet- I've been in schools where they don't "teach" reading until KS1, others where they work on reading in literacy every day. But your LO won't be the only one who won't know how to read or write (if they can't at the moment).
I imagine they will be expected to get themselves dressed for P.E, but the teacher and T.A will help them if they have their plimpsoles on the wrong feet or get their head stuck in the arm of their t-shirt! During P.E lessons in the early days I'm sure the teacher will spend time modelling getting ready- reminding the children what they need to do (take your clothes off but leave your pants and vest on, put your clothes on your chair, take your P.E kit out and put it on, you should have a t shirt and shorts...).
I'm not sure about school dinners, I think they just get a tray and will be guided to the serving area and the dinner ladies will ask them what they want and help them to choose, and then they'll be guided back to the table. In my experience (I'm a teacher) the teacher takes the children to the hall and hands them over to a meal time assistant who will get them settled onto their table, help them with their lunchbox and open packages they can't do, and send the school dinner children up to get their food.
Does your LO go to preschool? If so it isn't such a change from that- yes their day is more structured,but they will still be looked after by the teacher and s/he will make sure that they know what to do.
My DS is a summer baby (early July though) and I worry about him starting school- he still seems so little to me! But then I remember how much of a Reception teachers job is nurturing and caring for the children and I know that he'll be OK. That said, delaying until next September is definitely a viable option and it is something I would consider (if my LO was a late August baby) if I felt he wasn't emotionally mature enough for a more structured school day. My friends niece is an end of August baby and they held her back a year because she struggled at nursery- she got a bit lost and upset and didn't handle structured activities well- any time they had a learning focused activity she would cry or get stressed apparently. She is now going to start school this September (she'll just be 5) and is in a much better place, more confident and looking forward to a new challenge.

 

[Mummytoosh]

Hi, I have seen it both ways. My eldest started gradually until January and my little girl started straight away in September.
I have found that by starting straight away in September, they are fully integrated in the school routine and quickly get to know everyone and make friends.
Nothing is expected from them in terms of reading and writing and in fact the teachers told us that they prefer parents to concentrate on enforcing other skills prior to starting school, such as washing your hands after going to the toilet, learning to dress yourself, put on your coat etc. That said, the teachers are always on hand to help. All 4 year olds I know get in a muddle and need help! They get lots of help at lunch time, with cutting up food, opening packets etc and our school have some older children dedicated to helping them too.
The reception teachers are lovely and so caring. It's very much about learning through play in Reception, so the children have a wonderful time.
Now it's January, Amelie comes home from Reception class telling me about the 'new children' that have joined class. I think the majority started in September, so the few that waited until January perhaps have lots of catching up to do. Not in terms of learning necessarily (although they are all doing great with their phonics etc), but certainly in terms of forming friendships and settling into school.
Have a chat to the school, I am sure they will reassure you either way.
xx

 

[storm4mozza]

I personally would tell the school of your concerns and see if they can help put your mind at ease, maybe give you some possible solutions.

DS is in nursery right now and sometimes i do worry about reception, when he does a poo at nursery he won't tell the staff and goes around with a sore bum all day, but then other times i see that the nursery encourage independence by asking them to get own hats and gloves from bags, own coats on etc.

Only you can decide what is best for your child, but remember your not alone
Good Luck x

 

[lindseymw]

At Joshua's school, there was no requirement for the children to read & write in Reception. I think it's more concentrated on in KS1. Joshua could do both before he started School so he is on a different program but his peers are currently learning how to spell very simple words (3-4 letters). They are all in KS1. I took a couple of his friends to a restaurant in December and gave them the menu (not thinking!) and they couldn't read it (I have been used to handing the menu to Joshua for ages for him to read). I think the norm is that they can't read/write rather than being able to.

I think they were expected to be able to get changed for PE but there is always teachers/TA on hand to help.

For Dinners, the Reception children go in first and the dinner ladies/supervisors help the children get a tray, sit them down & cut the food as required. Also like a pp said, the older children come in to help as well.

 

[Librastar2828]

My son is an August baby too and we had the same issues this year with him starting nursery and I guess the same for reception some sept.

I was contemplating sending him on Jan but in the end I went with it and sent him in september and I'm so glad I did. Otherwise he would only be starting now and he has learnt so much in the 4 months he's been there. I thought of it in the way that he would be in the minority by deferring him till Jan. The other kids would have settled and they would have done that together. They would have made friends and learnt the routine and then he would have joined being totally new and learning it a by him self which imo would have added to what he already had to cope with. He wasn't the only summer born starting in September and his speech has come along in just those few months. The staff will be expecting some to not be as bright or as advance but that is what they are there for. Surely they expect those things and give the little ones extra support.

Like you I have my worries about him starting reception in sept and being there all day ect and having so much expected of him but I think letting him go in Jan and having to go through the new experience all alone will only add to the anxiety and make it Harder. Voice concerns with the school I'm sure they are willing to help

 

[shanny]

Usually they need to go to toilet by self. Being able to change is a benefit.

Often there is a meeting for parents before they begin school where they will go over routines etc.