IS YOUR CHILD COMMENCING SCHOOL IN SEPTEMEBER 2019?

If so please have a read of this week’s blog all about this important but very emotional milestone?‍?.

School Admissions are GO

I had known it would be coming for some time after all many of Elijah’s friends started school this year, Elijah would be going next year due to his September birthday.
But, it still caught me off guard when we arrived home to find our letter to apply for Elijah’s school place from Norfolk County Council. A lump rose up in my front as I read through the letter and realised that it was time to make another big choice regarding Elijah’s future.
With choosing a nursery it seemed so different, there was no pressure, no urgency. With applications open on the 28th September we would in theory decide where Elijah would hopefully go to school nearly a whole year in advance.
The deadline for applications is the 15th of January, with National Offer Day taking place on the 16th April 2019. After some wobbles, and a small amendment we have now submitted our application just to get it out of the way and I have to say the website and process wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
However, finally pressing submit and seeing our preference it was quite overwhelming. Many may think that it isn’t that much different to sending a child to nursery for a full day, but there is something about them starting school that just seems so different.
It seems so grown up, so final, this is the beginning of his school journey which will go on until he is 18 years old.
Right now, we have a routine that we just about have balance off, one that Elijah’s younger brother fits into, my partner’s full time job, and me working part time from home, you could say at the moment it just works for us.
School is a new ball game, it is different drop off times, earlier pick up times and it is all day every day for 5 days. I worry how tiring it may be for Elijah, and selfishly worry how I might cope without him here for so much time! For nearly 5 years he has been at my side for 5 days of the week and soon it will be just two.
I am worried how I will cope without the familiarity of Elijah’s keyworkers some we have known for four years, and I will miss the comfort of the nursery which we have become so fond off and that has become a big part of our lives.
Currently, I am not sure how we are going to factor in the new routine for when Elijah starts school one thing we are actively discussing is continuing on with our Little Owls journey, and utilising the Hoots Holiday and Breakfast and After School Club.
In a years’ time I may not work from home, my partner’s hours may not be as flexible with pick up and drops off and I know first hand what an amazing job the Little Owls Hoots After School and Holiday Club do. The breakfast club offers great facilities and provides breakfast and activities before ensuing the children all get to their designated schools on time, as well as offering two after schools clubs.
Whilst the volume of time Elijah will be at school is very daunting, I know we will also have to figure out how we will deal with half term and holidays. For four years Elijah has attended Little Owls on a full term basis so next year will be our first taste of half term and summer holidays! Again, knowing how much fun the Hoots children have at the holiday club I think we will be enrolling him, I only wish I could too!
Now, we begin the long wait to see if we get offered a place, and no doubt come National Offer Day I will be an emotional wreck!
For more information regarding the Hoots Breakfast, Holiday and After School Club please click here. ?

confessionsofanicumum@blogspot.com