23 Responses to the Questionnaire Were Handed In

EYFS Induction Questionnaire 2016-17.

39 Children started in reception in September 2016.

23 responses to the questionnaire were handed in.

How informative was the parent’s meeting during the induction session (20.06.16/21.06.16)

Comments

Discussed everything we needed to know.
My husband attended this so passed on minimal information!
It would have been useful to have what a normal day looked like to prepare my child.
We were on holiday so unable to attend.

How useful was the pack given out at that meeting?

Comments

I had one sent via the post as I was unable to attend the meeting. It contained all of the information I needed.
I found all the information packs given out by the school to be helpful, but I particularly liked the photo pack given to the children of the staff, environment inside and out and the resources they may play with.
It helped to prepare my child in the run up to starting school.
A lot of information but all relevant.

How did your child enjoy the induction sessions?

Comments

My child loved big school.
My son loved his visits to ‘big school’ and could not wait to start going every day in September. Having had the experience of playing with the teachers/children in the school environment took away the fear of the unknown which was replaced with excitement.
We were away on holiday for some but my child enjoyed the ones he went to.
My child was nervous purely because he didn’t know anyone.
This was the best induction – I have had two other children attend Collingwood.
My child found it difficult at first but soon got into it.
My child loved the inductions. She was very excited.
My child loved his sessions and couldn’t wait to come back.
Her enthusiasm grew through each one.

Is the length of the induction period…

Comments

It was perfect for both me and my child.
A couple more day sessions may have helped my son as he really enjoyed it.
I think this is such a strength of Collingwood – all the time and effort you all put into the induction.
Perfect!
I felt the amount of sessions my son attended was just right to give him an idea of what to expect, where he will be going and the people he will see without disrupting him at his current setting.

If you had a home visit, how useful was it?

Comments

It was really lovely to seen Mrs Hammond in the home setting. It made my child even more comfortable. Thank you for making the effort!
The visit we had from Mrs Hammond and the SENCO was a very important part of the settling in process for my son as it helped him to see the staff in an informal environment where he felt comfortable to share his interests and home life with them and it allowed them to see a side of him they may not have seen in school.

If you didn’t have a home visit, was there a reason?

Comments

I didn’t think it was necessary as my older child is already at the school.
I felt my child was ready for the school and I had no concerns.
No reason – I just didn’t think it was necessary.
We chose not to have one.
I did not require one.
We did not request a home visit.
My child was very excited after the induction sessions and I had no concerns at all so I did not feel it was necessary.
I did not feel it was needed this time as my children already knew the setting and the teacher and they were very excited to go to school so I had no concerns.
I felt everything was covered in the induction sessions.
I didn’t think it was necessary.
I didn’t feel we needed it after the induction sessions.
No reason.
I didn’t arrange one as we were unsure if my child would start at Collingwood as an appeal was in place for a closer school.
I didn’t feel we needed it as the individual interview captured everything.
I didn’t feel it was necessary – my child new the school and had met a lot of the staff already.

How useful did you find the individual parent interview?

Comments

It was very useful and very reassuring for me.
It reassured me that I could let the teachers know all about my child and get advice about him starting.
It was lovely to meet the teachers and tell them about my son and us as a family.
It was good to be able to talk about the more personal / individual needs of my child.
It was a very good idea to have the parent meeting, but it would have been better if it was with our child’s teacher.
This was so nice, it was good we could tell Mrs Hammond about our child.
It was a great way to let the school know about the little things about my child.
It gave me the chance to express any concerns and it reassured me.

What was most useful about the induction process?

Comments

Having a number of sessions and allowing us to have lunch was very helpful as that was one of my concerns.
Having lunch at school.
Defiantly the parent interview – meeting with my child’s teacher helped to tell the school all about my child.
The whole process was very good.
For my child to see where their classroom would be and to meet the teachers and other children.
For my son to meet some friends, he was therefore much happier to start in September.
All of it!
Starting full days from day 1 in September. My son is used to being at nursery from 7-7 and prolonging the process would have confused him.
The support given by the school regarding my sons individual needs as nothing was too much trouble e.g. changing the sessions if it was not convenient, finding the quieter sessions to suit my son and having the option to stay or not depending on how my son felt on the day.
I went from not knowing anything about Collingwood to being happy and confident about my son starting.
Seeing my child happy and confident.
The whole induction was useful for my daughter to familiarise herself with the school, her class and the teachers.
The school visits.
Learning what the children do in school, watching my own child adapt to his new surroundings and watching him interact with other children in the induction sessions.
Knowing who’s who and where the class was etc.
For my son to be familiar with the setting and the staff. It meant he could get excited over the summer rather than worrying about the unknown.
All of the sessions allowing my child to get used to the school, classroom and not being with me.
My daughter getting to see the environment and meeting the other children.
I felt the whole process was great particularly as my son didn’t go to the pre-school at Collingwood.
I liked the fact that there were different elements which worked their way up e.g. parents stayed with their children initially and gradually worked up to the children being in on their own. The lunch session was also good.
Getting used to the new environment.

How could the induction process be improved?

Comments

I think it is good as it is.
Maybe do a full day induction session.
I thought it was great!
I don’t think there is anything to improve it – just keep doing what you are doing.
It seems sufficient.
It would have been nice to have a drop in session on the week before starting as it is a long break from induction.
I thought it was perfect.
I really don’t think it could be improved.
The parent interviews could be done with the child’s class teacher but other than that I think it was great.
I don’t think it needs to be improved – it’s really good!
I don’t think it could.
I think it was perfect. It really helped my child settle in.

How was your child’s first few days at school?

Comments

It couldn’t have been better – there were lots of smiles. I think this was mainly down to the induction process.
My child loved every minute.
He was a bit upset leaving me but he was fine when he was in school. He was very tired at the end of the first week but he is now getting used to the routine.
Good – just shy and nervous to start with.
He absolutely loved it! Any worries I had were gone due to the induction process. He keeps talking about Miss Milton and the other staff.
Good.
He really enjoyed school. He was a little unsettled at breakfast and afterschool club but has settled now.
It was a little stressful for him going in but he always came out smiling and chatting happily about everything he had done in the day.
Very good.
It was brilliant due to the induction. Every day she went in and came out happy and cheerful.
Enjoyable.
Fantastic! We couldn’t have asked for a better start!
The first few days he was happy to go in but he got tired towards the end of the week. He is now getting more used to the longer days.
Very enjoyable.
Good. He cried as he went in but he settled very quickly and he is now very happy. I really appreciated the phone call on the first day to say he had settled and that he was happy playing with the Lego.
He seemed to enjoy it. On the first day he was a bit anxious but he didn’t cry and he really enjoyed it!
Fantastic!
My child got a bit upset on the first day due to not knowing anyone as we moved into the area over the summer and didn’t attend any of the induction sessions. By the end of the day when he came out he was happy.
Getting an unexpected text on the first day saying the children had settled well was really nice and reassuring.
My daughter loved it and she still does!
She loved it and has made lots of new friends already.
Very successful!
My child was a bit upset going in but he loved it once he was there and says he likes school when he is picked up.

How informative was the meet the teacher session?

Comments

Sorry – I couldn’t attend due to work commitments. I appreciate being given the handout – thanks!
It was really useful to have all the information – I can see why the school waited until September to do this meeting as it would have been too much during the induction – it was well planned.
I could not attend as with three children I could not get someone to look after the youngest.
I was really interested to learn about the learning journey and I can’t wait for the phonics session so I can get more involved in helping my child at home.
It was a little bit rushed as there was so much to fit into the time due to the next year groups meeting however it was very useful and there was time after to ask any questions.
I did not attend this session due to having various other meetings aside from this to assess my sons needs which left us feeling familiar with the teachers and all our questions were answered.
Sorry I couldn’t attend due to work – being given the slides was really useful though.
It was really useful – thank you.

Is there anything else you would like to be included in the meeting?

Comments

No.
No.
The session could have been slightly longer to go over things for those parents who have not had children at Collingwood before – however I understand there were other meetings that followed for other year groups.
No.
No.
I can’t think of anything else.
Not that I can think of.

Why did you choose Collingwood?

Comments

It is the closest school to home.
It is our local school.
When we looked around it seemed friendly, happy and had a healthy learning environment.
My eldest child has flourished at Collingwood and I have always liked it. It was also my primary school when I was a child.
I didn’t but I am very pleased with the outcome!
It is our catchment school.
Location.
It is a lovely school and my older children go to the school and they are very happy.
It had a lovely feel when I looked around. I liked the head teachers view on schooling and everyone was happy and helpful.
My two older children went to the school.
It is our catchment school and my child loved the pre-school.
It had out of hours childcare, as we both work full time this was important. The school was recommended by a friend. When I came to visit I loved it and so did my husband.
Collingwood wasn’t our first or second choice – we were given Collingwood as we live in the catchment area. We are very pleased with how well everything has gone and our child is very happy!
I think it is a brilliant school and my older son has always been very happy at Collingwood.
Because it seemed like a good school. I asked people about it and they gave me good information and highly recommended it. My daughter also attended the pre-school and it was great for her to be able to stay with her friends.
I chose Collingwood after making a parent tour of the school and found the staff to be very welcoming and informative. Also the environment in which the children were being taught was very calm and organised.
Sentimental reasons – I went to the school.
I heard very good things about the quality of teaching and I liked the environment when I went to visit.
In truth it wasn’t our first choice but we are very pleased with it.
My older children have been to and currently go to the school and have really enjoyed it.
Siblings already attend the school.
Having used the pre-school, I have seen the children, teachers and staff and have always thought it to be a happy fun school.

Any further comments?

This was the best experiences any of my children have had during the induction period. It was very smooth and reassuring for myself. All the staff are very down to earth and approachable. Thank you!
A school holiday club or child care would be really helpful to us and I ‘m sure other parent.
Thank you for everything you have done to help with my child’s transition.
I love how much the parents are involved with the school, and the communication book is brilliant. Thank you!
Keep up the great work!
Having a child with additional needs made us very careful about choosing the right school. Collingwood stood out after my first visit as I found the environment and staff to be welcoming and we were very impressed with how efficient and organised the phase leader and SENCO were in ensuring the correct support would be in place and ready for September making the process supportive and reassuring for us as parents.