Starting School

Your child is the most precious gift in the world to you and choosing the right school for your child is one of the hardest decisions as parents we have to make. Here at Bolshaw you can put your trust in us to nurture, inspire and encourage your child to reach their true potential, believe in themselves and achieve success. here are a few top tips to help you support your child when they start school.

Help your child get ready for their induction visits and first day

• We will give you all the information you will need to help prepare your child for their first afternoon visits in the summer before they start school.  Talk this through with your child so that they know what to expect. Their Year 5 buddy will be there to meet them.

•  Help your child to develop the skills they need to be independent, such as getting used to playing with other children, dressing themselves and looking after their possessions.

•  Get storybooks from the library about starting school and read them to your child. In the week before they start school, get your child used to the times they will need to get up in the mornings and go to bed.

•  Decide early who is taking your child to school on their first day so they can know as soon as possible what will happen on the morning.

•  Share your memories of your first day or funny and light stories about your time at school so they start to get a light-hearted sense of what to expect.

•  Plan a treat for the end of the school day; it’s likely they will be tired so a simple trip to the local park or their favourite dinner would be more than enough.

Emotional support

•  Talk positively to your child about starting school, as well as listening to and acknowledging any anxious feelings or fears they may have.

•  Help your child to build their confidence. For example, make sure they know that it is ok to ask to go to the toilet at school.

•  If you are feeling worried, make sure you have someone to talk to so that your children don’t pick up on any negative feelings – and remind yourself that it is perfectly normal to have a bit of the jitters yourself.

•  Encourage them to be thoughtful about other children’s feelings and remember to take turns and share.

•  If you sense your child will feel clingy and not want to leave you in fear they will miss out, let them know what you have planned for the day – the duller the better!

Speak to us – we are here to listen

• Tell us about your child, e.g. any special needs, medical problems, likes or dislikes.

•  Make a point of asking questions if you are unsure. Our staff are here to answer your questions. You are welcome to look around your child’s Reception classroom so that you know what they are doing and can talk to them about it.

• Please come to as many of the meetings before and after your child starts school, as you can. If you can’t attend, give us a call and ask for the information to be sent to you.

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