Working Mum - A big step up

Everyone told me that time would fly once my elder daughter started school. They were right. I can hardly believe that she has left the early years and is now in Year 1. Where did the Reception year go?

The novelty of school hasn't yet worn off for her; in fact, she was so excited to be moving up a year that she wanted to skip the summer holidays and get started. I think that the staff at school preparing the children for the transition really helped. They were shown their new classroom, spent some playtimes in the 'big' playground with the older children and were included in a whole school assembly.

One aspect that she has not had to adapt to is a new teacher - there has been a staff reorganisation and unusually her teacher has moved with her. The only difference is that she now has to get used to addressing her teacher by her surname instead of informally by her first name, as is done in the nursery and Reception classes.

Foundation Stage children at the school are fortunate to have an amazing outdoor area with a huge sand pit, water pump, exciting places to explore, mud kitchen and lots of ride-on toys. I thought that she would miss it but am surprised that, a few weeks into the new term, she hasn't mentioned the great play area. To be honest, I'm not missing the piles of sand that came home in her shoes every evening.

MORE STRUCTURED

Soon into the start of term, parents were invited to a short meeting to discuss what happens in Year 1, which I found informative and reassuring. A few days into the new school year my daughter did ruefully comment that there was a lot less play and more carpet time and her teacher acknowledged in the meeting that it is a 'big step up' and very different from Reception.

I was pleased to hear that while the day is now a lot more structured, they do still have free-flow in the afternoon - although this is just for activities set out in the classroom and not outside. Also, the sand and water play may be gone but there will still be opportunities for junk modelling and painting.

What did make me groan was the mention of preparing the children for the Year 1 phonics screening test and homework. I've been dreading homework. At some of the local schools the Foundation Stage children are given regular homework, whereas my daughter just had her reading book, so I suppose we've got off lightly.

Now, on top of reading with her every day, we are expected to help her with spellings in advance of a weekly Friday spelling test focusing on high-frequency words. There will also be numeracy homework to tackle after half term. Juggling work and home life can be tricky at the best of times, but now we'll have to be more organised and factor in school work time too. I have an awful feeling bedtimes will have to get later.

I'm pleased that the move to more formal learning is being taken gradually and that my daughter's teacher recognises that it will take time for the children to adapt. She said that the children will be praised and encouraged as much as possible. Parents haven't been forgotten either, and there will continue to be an open-door policy so that we can address any issues that we may have directly with the teacher. I just want my daughter to continue running to school and enjoying learning.

A word of advice

When your child moves up from Reception to Year 1, it is good to know your school is always one step ahead, says Tony Draper, president of the National Association of Head Teachers

Where Reception is all about settling in, Year 1 is all about settling down. Done properly, each school year should be laying the foundation for the next. The teaching methods in Reception should lead children naturally into life in Year 1.

The partnership between the school and the home is really important, so good schools will communicate well with parents to let them know how Year 1 will be different. It is not unusual for this to feel like a 'big step up', but parents should be reassured that however new and unfamiliar it feels for them, good schools have got this transition down to a fine art.

Open door

My door is always open to parents who feel in need of support. I also have a great team of early years specialists around me who have got to know the Reception children really well and can help the Year 1 team make sure the children settle down quickly.

Families with older children who have been through the process of moving their son or daughter up from Reception to Year 1 are a really good source of information and so, as well as speaking to staff, asking for advice in the playground is a really good idea.

Reading, writing and maths are the building blocks of any education, so whether there is a bit of homework to be done or not, most people would expect that in Year 1 there will be a slightly more academic approach. But again, it is about building on what went on in Reception.

Strong support from parents is absolutely vital. Nothing beats praise and encouragement. This reinforces what happens in the classroom. It gives children the confidence they need to do well, and an appetite to learn that will serve them well, not just in Year 1 but right through primary and further ahead.