Education | ED03 | Summer 2016

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Tunbridge Wells
Smoothing the
move from
nursery to
reception
Starting ‘real’ school
is always a big step in
growing up. Luckily,
these days it’s almost
always an easy one,
says Hilary Wilce
Credit: Dulwich Prep
Thanks to improved
communications between
nursery and reception classes,
good preparation work by staff on both
sides, and progressive programmes of
tours and visits, most children have a
clear idea about what they are moving
on to and make the transition from
nursery to reception class smoothly
and easily. They’ve often met their
new teacher, spent time in their
new classroom and seen where they
will hang their coat and eat their
lunch long before the day arrives
when they actually start school.
In addition, children in state schools
continue within exactly the same
educational framework that regulated
their pre-school life. Independent
schools have more freedom to choose
their curriculum, but most teachers
and schools now agree broadly on what
makes a good education for the underfives,
so they are unlikely to spring any
big surprises on their youngest pupils.
In fact it can often be the parents
who are most traumatised! How is it
possible, they think, that the newborn
baby they held in their arms just a
minute ago, is now a fully fledged
schoolchild? Sometimes it can feel
far too much like a chilly harbinger of
all the separations that are to come.
Other problems can arise when
a child, although looking forward
to their new school, hates the
thought of leaving a much-loved
nursery and its familiar staff.
If that’s the case with your child,
help foster a happy leave-taking of
the pre-school years by encouraging
them to start making a memory book,
including photographs of friends
and staff who matter to them, and
always reassure them they will still be
able to see their old friends and visit
their old nursery if they want to.
At the same time, start talking early
about the new school that lies ahead.
Be matter-of-fact, calm and positive
about this so that your child feels it’s a
normal step and something to be looked
forward to. Be sure to hide any anxieties
that you might have, and don’t ever
say anything – however jokingly – that
could make your child feel guilty about
going. Children are incredibly sensitive
to their parents’ moods, and quickly
pick up on feelings like sadness and
loss. Mopping your eyes with a tissue
while sniffing, “Whatever is Mummy
going to do without her little Pudsy-
Wudsy to keep her company?” will not
help your child voyage off to their new
school with a glad heart and resolute
step! On the other hand, don’t go too
hard the other way and big up school
as if it’s a technicolour combination of
Disney World and non-stop CBeebies.
If it isn’t, your child could feel that it’s
somehow their fault that they aren’t
enjoying it as they are supposed to.
On a practical level, make sure your
child’s skills are firmly in place. Can
they go to the toilet by themselves,
manage their clothes and wash their
hands? Can they put on their own
shoes and socks? Hang up their
coat? Eat with a knife and fork?
And when it comes to social
skills, do they understand when
to speak and when to listen when
having a conversation? Do they
feel comfortable around a range of
different adults? Can they share and
take turns easily? And do they help
to tidy up and put things away?
In fact, it’s always worth doublechecking
these things, especially if
you’ve had to spend time away at work
and haven’t been around to see how
things are going at home. I’ve heard
reception class teachers complain
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