School - Reception

My son is going to be 4 at the very end of August -  30th!  Poor thing...  So, I am really struggling with him being in reception at that age.  He is quite advanced in reading, but is a typical boy in terms of activeness, pencil control, etc. 

I've been struggling with where to send him for a while and now I'm realizing that the reason why is that I don't want him to start formal school at 4.  I know I could keep him in nursery another year, but don't really think that's the right answer for him.  I'm considering home schooling for a  bit, but know I'd have to really work at sociallization.

So, my question is how have your children fared in reception?  Did any of you have doubts ahead of time?  Were there problems once in reception?  In other words, Help!! 

Thank you! 

I can understand your concerns but I think you will find that reception isn't as 'formal education' as you might think. He will indeed be a young 4 but he wont be alone! Have you had a chance to observe a reception class at all? I highly recommend that you do this--but keep in mind if you are observing this time a year that they are a year ahead of where they were in the fall.

I have done some observations in local reception and year 1 classes and have been happy to see that learning is done in hands on ways and play is a big part of the learning process. I believe socialisation is important and I also find in the UK system especially that it is important for children to be with the right age group--- it comes into play later on when they can leave school.

I tend to ramble on --sorry! Basically I think he will handle it better than you (us parents are always the ones who struggle the most) but if you are choosing schools I would definitely observe lessons and focus on a school that values learning through play

In reception he'll still be under the Early Years Foundation Stage (ie the same curriculum used by preschools playgroups and nurseries) and very much  learning through play still.  They've definitely moved away from the formal schooling at that age.

I currently volunteer along with my husband at our local children's school and work with children in reception and SlicesMissus is right, they are still learning around play more than anything else and it's all helping helping your little one's socialisation skills. Believe me the kids love it and I've got the pictures painted or drawn to prove it. 

Thanks everyone.  Would you say it compares at all to nursery schools in the US or more kindergarten?   Even if it is still play, the day seems long.  Has anyone found that?

Thanks everyone.  Would you say it compares at all to nursery schools in the US or more kindergarten?   Even if it is still play, the day seems long.  Has anyone found that?

I think Reception usually starts on half days (at least it did when I was that age), so the kids would go in for mornings only, then afternoons only and build up to full days over the first few weeks. I think the length of the school day is similar to the US though... my American cousin was in Kindergarten a couple of years ago and he was in school from 8am until 3pm everyday. For the primary school I attended in England, I seem to remember that the school day was from about 9am to 3.10pm.

I just wanted to agree with the comments about "formal education".  My daughter is just finishing Year 1 (equivalent of US Kindergarten) and I have to say that from my experience, there is a lot of play and free time.  At first I actually consider that a bad thing because I didn't think she was learning enough.  But I quickly realized that the school has a good balance of playful activities and slowly integrating education...which keeps the kids from getting bored or overloaded.  Considering reception is one year behind where my daughter is, I'd assume it is even less formal. 

The kids in reception at DDs school are always fingerpainting, playing with clay, baking, etc. when we pass by them.  They also have more teacher's helpers (usually one helper per 4-5 children) than the regular school years.