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Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Primary education

Prolonged part time school-how can I help dd?

62 replies

Edenviolet · 01/09/2014 08:44

Dd2 will be doing just mornings till January. I know this is sensible but I'm wondering exactly how much she will miss out on? Will the school give me ideas of what I should do at home with her or can I really just do what we have been doing at home anyway (drawing, painting, reading, baking, watching tv etc)?

OP posts:

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Theas18 · 01/09/2014 08:58

Who decided it? If it is school policy then ask them! Chances are they just want her to chill and do normal " home stuff".

If all the kids are PT sh isn't " missing out" on anything surely?

Interesting how different schools/ areas have different policies isn't it though?

MerryMarigold · 01/09/2014 09:01

Surely it depends on the reason for the part time. Also her age. If it is because she is ill, and can't take more than that, then you shouldn't be doing what school would be doing in the afternoon. If she is 4yo and in Nursery, again it's different. If she is 11 and it's because of bullying then I think you could do more in the afternoons.

Can't advise anything with this limited info.

jaynebxl · 01/09/2014 09:04

Don't stress about doing anything formal, just do what you usually do. But I'm curious too to know why and who decided? Assume she is starting reception.

LIZS · 01/09/2014 09:06

Could you take her to appointments so she doesn't miss school time, a physical activity like swimming or just enjoy the time together as now.

TeenAndTween · 01/09/2014 09:08

If this is reception then the formal learning (phonics and counting) gets done in the morning anyway.
Actually, as far as I can tell, in most primary schools maths and English are done in the morning right the way up to y6.

Edenviolet · 01/09/2014 09:08

The other children will be doing lunches from mid oct then a week later full time.
Due to medical problems and ongoing training it has been decided its best if dd is part time for longer. She is 5 end nov so will go full time in jan.
I'm just anxious she will miss out but I know her health and safety in school is more important. I just would like to try if I can to do some things at home with her if it would help.

OP posts:

amyhamster · 01/09/2014 09:09

oh I wouldn't worry at all

many children don't start schol until they're 5

I'd carry on what you have been doing - baking, tv etc sounds lovely

Edenviolet · 01/09/2014 09:11

Its a difficult one as she is very sociable and very bright so would actually be ok full time if it wasn't for the medical problems and the fact school are not 100% with taking care of her.
If they had let me do the training when I wanted to I think I could have just managed to get things sorted out for dd to go full time with her peers but as that's not possible I will have to make the best of it.

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Pipbin · 01/09/2014 09:15

Interesting that the school is doing staggered intake like that.
It is my understanding that in England schools have to offer full days from the start.

Anyway, if my own reception class is anything to go by then all the important stuff will happen in the morning and the afternoon will be topic based stuff.

What I suggest is may be find out from the teacher the topic for the week and do some stuff based around that.

fairgame · 01/09/2014 09:16

Don't worry about it. When DS was in reception they had starters in September, January and April all in the same class. I always wondered how the April starters would cope academically against the September starters. A lot of reception is play based so she won't miss out on much.
It might be a bonus as she might miss messy play and the mandatory splodges of glue/paint on uniform that comes with it!

MerryMarigold · 01/09/2014 09:16

In that case, what you are doing is fine!! More than fine. They don't do a lot in YR, especially in the afternoons (in our school anyway) and it is basically only half a term she is missing out on.

If you want to help in a fun way, there are things like reading programmes online (if she needs to sit still for long periods) or story CD's are great to help with listening.

MerryMarigold · 01/09/2014 09:19

My dd is 5 and loves this series but we got ours for 20p at the summer fete! (We are missing 3 and I am not keen to spend 4.99 as they aren't hugely long.)

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 01/09/2014 09:25

I'm pretty sure reception kids use up most of their concentration by lunchtime and the afternoon is more relaxed/exploratory play etc. especially in the first term. I doubt she will miss much. And if you read with her at home etc she will be fine. My DS attendance was 82% in reception and he's still near the top on reading and numeracy! and got exceeding in most of his areas on the report. I believe this is because we do a fair bit at home.

Edenviolet · 01/09/2014 09:30

I feel a lot more reassured now Thankyou. Dd loves having stories, drawing etc and she learns a lot even making little cakes weighing stuff out etc so I will just continue with all that.
In many ways it may be easier for me too as I will probably be more confident with the schools ability to look after her if they've had an easier introduction to things

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PecanNut · 01/09/2014 09:38

Like some other posters, at our school the Reception children do most of their formal learning (e.g. phonics, counting, teacher led activities) in the morning, and the afternoon is just for free choosing (like it was in nursery). If your school is similar then your DD won't miss much structured stuff by coming home at lunchtime, so I agree that the things you're already doing sound like perfect activities for her.

YeGodsAndLittleFishes · 01/09/2014 09:50

Please don't worry, she won't be missing out. Try to invite a child she likes back to play/lunch/weekend activity now and again. We used to do that most Fridays and it helped DD settle in.

LIZS · 01/09/2014 09:54

Make sure your lien fo communication with teacher is good. It may be that they rehearse Carols, Christmas play etc in pms during that half term in which case could she stay the odd extra hour to be included in that.

jaynebxl · 01/09/2014 10:40

Could you offer to go in some afts as a parent helper so she can stay too? I don't think she will miss much other than some socialisation but sounds like she will be fine in that area. In some schools parents opt to do half days until their children turn 5 anyway.

Edenviolet · 01/09/2014 10:54

I don't think they would appreciate that as have ds 2. (2) with me and as for the first few weeks I will be there most mornings with him I expect they will be glad to not have us there (long story but childcare fell through so have to take him with me whilst I teach them how to look after dd) not an ideal situation really.

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LIZS · 01/09/2014 11:15

Will ds2 not receive free preschool hours ?

Edenviolet · 01/09/2014 11:44

There is not a place for him till after the half term and he has to start 2-3 mornings a week then build up from there.
I stupidly declined the place for sep as didn't want to be settling him and dd as he's very clingy and a family member was meant to have ds each morning so I could support dd in school but it fell through. Dh can't do it as has been really unwell so I'm a bit stuck. Phoned the pre school but places had all gone.

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MissWimpyDimple · 01/09/2014 13:09

Will the school allow you to have your 2 yr old with you.? In ours, siblings can't come in a
Unless it's for an assembly etc. they definitely do not a allow parent helpers to bring them in with them.

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StripyBanana · 01/09/2014 13:16

Our achool won't allow siblings (it's not fair on the other children). If she needs an adult with her shouldn't she have a one to one ? It doesn't sound like her start is being managed well.

If you absolutely have to be there can you reapply for a 2 yr funding space? You really can't be in the classroom with your 2 yr old and expecting that to be a standard settling in for your reception child...

Edenviolet · 01/09/2014 13:17

I did mention it to them but not completely sure they actually took it in as nobody said anything??
I'm worried as to how it will work but I need to be there each morning initially to show them how to use dds equipment etc, what to do at what times and so on.
I'm hoping ds will be good, sit in his buggy etc but not sure that'll work out. This was precisely why I wanted to do training from April and this week but I wasn't allowed so I'm in the position now where we will be in the classroom each day for I expect a min of three weeks

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StripyBanana · 01/09/2014 13:17

Childminders? Nurserys?

Or a delayed start for your reception age child until the statement/funding/ta is in place?

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