School Visits

We urge you to make arrangements to take your child for at least one visit (hopefully a minimum of two or three) to their new school and classroom before they start school in order to familiarize your child with what they will face when they start. If children have a chance to become familiar with the new setting it will hopefully be a little less daunting and scary for them when the big day arrives!

Many schools have programmes in place that allow children to have a series of classroom visits where they learn about some of the activities and expectations of school. If your chosen school offers these programmes and visits we strongly urge you to take your child along.Take time to be with your child and support them as they transition. But be aware that there will come a time when you will need to step back more to allow your child and their new teacher to establish their relationship without you.

Don't leave arranging visits until the last few weeks before your child starts. It is advisable to ask at your first meeting about school visits, and once you have made your decision about a school to attend ring and arrange times for school visits in advance. Mark them on your calendar! If the school are slow to offer dates keep ringing until an arrangement is in place.

Some schools only offer one visit prior to starting school however if you feel your child requires more, particularly after the initial visit, keep asking until your request is met.

This is huge for your child and you need to ensure that he or she is prepared as well as possible so the transition is smooth and a positive experience for all involved.

Which School?

Choosing the right school for your child is important because their future is riding on the quality relationships and learning opportunities and outcomes that the school environment provides. We suggest that you visit local schools in your area at least 3-6 months before your child turns five. Make an appointment to speak to the principal or head of the junior classes. This way you can get a feel for the school and what is important to them. It will allow you to decide whether this will be what would suit your child.

Don't be afraid to ask questions that relate specifically to your child's needs. You will soon gauge by the responses and time taken to discuss your concerns and needs whether what you value will be acknowledged and upheld.

Ask to tour the school and visit the New Entrant/Transition/Reception/Year 0 (Y0)class in the school and observe for a while. Trust your instincts about where your child would be in this room and how they would behave and what they might learn. If possible do this first without your child so that you are focussed in what you are observing without distractions.

Seek opinions from friends, neighbours and relatives who have children who attend or who have very recently attended the schools you are interested in.

Read any information provided for you by the school. Check out the last few Education Review Office (ERO) reports to understand how well the school is managed and providing for children at http://www.ero.govt.nz/ (see link under Helpful sites on the sidebar)