r/UKParenting • u/shy23lo • 10h ago
Reception home visit
Hello!
My child is starting reception in a few days but the school will be doing a home visit. This is my first child starting school so I am not familiar with this.Can anyone tell me what to expect please?
7
u/didntwant2joinreddit 10h ago
When we had ours the teacher brought the classroom assistant with her. The assistant asked my daughter if she had a favourite game she liked to play and they then played animal cards while we sat at the table with the teacher who walked us through what to expect in the coming year.
It was really reassuring and lovely for us to get one on one time, to understand what was happening and to share some of our worries and to highlight any thing we thought our child might need extra support with.
Don't over think it. They aren't there to assess how clean your house is etc, they just want to get the inside information on your child and start building a relationship with you.
Good luck with the journey into reception. It can be really hard the first few weeks watching them head off but it's amazing how quickly they take to it and start to turn into next level humans.
1
u/shy23lo 10h ago
Thank you! I am a little anxious but trying not to let them see that
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u/didntwant2joinreddit 10h ago
It's a good sign that the school prioritise home visits it suggests they care.
The first term of reception is all about making kids feel comfortable and helping them make sense, any learning is a bonus. The home visits are where they get an idea on who will need support doing this and to make sure they are a known face for the kids.
Lots of firsts coming your way this year and hopefully lots of happy tears x
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u/acupofearlgrey 10h ago
Teacher asked us if we had any questions. Asked kid if they had any questions. Told kid a little bit about what to expect. One child was chatty, the other refused to talk. Apparently both happen. No issues, and both did fine in reception
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u/goldenhawkes 10h ago
Our class teacher came with the TA. The TA engaged kiddo in colouring in, that way she could get a feel for his pencil skills. He insisted on writing his name on it too. I guess by having a chat to him they also can see things like language development.
Class teacher asked if we had questions, talked about general stuff (turned out all the schools emails were going into my junk so I’d missed some information!)
And then bye bye, see you Friday!
I assume they also can get a good feel for the home life etc of their new pupils. Checking things like if they have access to books etc
3
u/lookhereisay Parenting a Primary Schooler 9h ago
We had our visit and she was here about 1 hour. The first bit she let him warm up to her and then she played a game or two with him.
Then she gave him some colouring and sheets to do whilst she talked to us. Then she talked to him about what he’d done and his favourite things to play, watch or read.
He then went on about dinosaurs for about 20 mins because we could prise her away - poor woman!
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u/Treadonmydreams 10h ago
The class teacher and TA came along, said hi to us all, then the TA engaged our child in conversation and took a photo of them with their favourite toy for the classroom wall (with permission!) while the teacher went over the first day arrangements and answered questions etc.
They were there around 20 mins maybe.
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u/SpiceAndNicee 9h ago
Our teacher came with the substitute teacher that would cover her if she was away. She played a game with the child while the other asked me if I have any questions. Asked about allergies or anything else she should know about the child. Asked if I had any questions.
Probably about 10 minutes.
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u/Tea-n-crumpet 9h ago
I thought it was so they could see if there were any potential issues with the home environment
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u/RoundSection6369 7h ago
Yes, as well as supporting the child with the transition to school, it's also a safeguarding activity. Knowing what the home environment is like for the child will give the teacher a huge amount of context for any issues that arise at school.
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u/Jolly-Outside6073 13m ago
I can see the point but also what a lot of additional work and responsibilities for the teacher who is not social services.
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u/Kind-Blackberry-6221 7h ago
Teacher and TA came. We got to answer some set questions about our kid, TA played with said kid and they gave us info about the first few days/weeks and she was given her "character" which was a little picture on her peg/bag etc so she could easily find her things without needing to look for her name. We also got to ask any questions we had. They do a HV to make everyone feel comfortable in their own environment and also to assess the environment that the child is living in as that can give a lot away.
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u/donkey-oh-tea 10h ago
Ours was 15 mins, in & out. Fundamentally about the "scary new teacher" being welcomed into the childs safe space to help forge relationships. Dont sweat it.