My boys started school!! Ben started reception and Nate started nursery. Ben goes all day long and Nate does a half a day. At 3, children are eligible for 15 hours of preschool/nursery. Last year, Ben went to Noah's Ark and loved it. But since Ben is now at St. Matthews, it made sense for Nate to be there as well.
The school system is a little different here than in the US. Last fall, Allen and I went around to the different schools in the area on "open days." We walked around the campus, heard from the principle, etc. Then, we put our top three choices down for Ben's schooling. There are a lot of different aspects for different people in making the decision of where you child goes to school. For us, our closest school was in our opinion the best for Ben and our family. It is a Church of England school so there is a religious aspect to it. There are only 2 classes per year group. A lot of friends from our church have their children at St. Matthews as well. In April, we found out that we had gotten a place at St. Matthews.
In July, the boys both went to St. Matthews for what they call a "settling in" session.
This is Nate with Allen on his morning at St. Matthews. We enjoyed seeing Nate's different personality that morning. He is much more of an introvert and observer. Sound like anyone?
The school system is a little different here than in the US. Last fall, Allen and I went around to the different schools in the area on "open days." We walked around the campus, heard from the principle, etc. Then, we put our top three choices down for Ben's schooling. There are a lot of different aspects for different people in making the decision of where you child goes to school. For us, our closest school was in our opinion the best for Ben and our family. It is a Church of England school so there is a religious aspect to it. There are only 2 classes per year group. A lot of friends from our church have their children at St. Matthews as well. In April, we found out that we had gotten a place at St. Matthews.
In July, the boys both went to St. Matthews for what they call a "settling in" session.
This is Nate with Allen on his morning at St. Matthews. We enjoyed seeing Nate's different personality that morning. He is much more of an introvert and observer. Sound like anyone?
Ben very excited and proud about going to St. Matthews! For Ben's afternoon, we all met in a big hall and they called Ben's name and he filed out to his room! Such a big boy!
We got the school specific components of his uniform that day!
Ben started school on Thursday September 5th. He obviously wears a uniform! Here he is with our next door neighbor, Issie, also her first day at another school. So cute!
Ben and Nate ready to scooter to school.
We scooter to school every morning. I have hardly driven the car since the boys started school because I can walk into town, church and to school.
After Ben's first day of school. Nate did not understand why he was not starting! So, he wore his uniform and he loves Ben's tie!
Nate's first day of school was Tuesday September 10th. It was a long three days while Ben was going to school and Nate wasn't! He just didn't understand.
He also wears a more casual uniform.
I have really been impressed by the school. Ben and Nate had home visits where their teachers came here to the house to meet them and talk about school. We had our first parent teacher meeting this week for Ben.
Nate has really struggled with not being with Ben. I think that he really thought he would be in Ben's class and was devastated when he wasn't. His teachers have been so sweet with him and really helped him settle into nursery. I am really enjoying my afternoons with Nate. Ben has done fabulous with adjusting to being at school all day. Such a blessed mommy!
Yes, I now have 15 hours a week to myself! It has been great to get to go for runs, have coffee with friends, and do stuff around the house without juggling giving the boys attention.
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