Sorry I think this may be a bit long, not sure what is relevant, and head spinning a bit. Anyway, background is, don't live in the UK; there are a lot of international schools here, including the one I picked for DS and DD, which is an IB curriculum primary school.
The intake goes by year of birth, so children born in 2006 (like DS) started in KG1 last September; children born in 2007 will start this September.
DD was born in mid November 2007 (so is 3.3, and would normally start at this school in 6 months time. She went for her assessment a few weeks ago, after which the school called and said they wanted to go and observe her at nursery. Nursery then said the visit had taken place, they thought the concern was around her social skills (she is very selective about who she will talk to), and that school were going to go back to see her in March (this bit was apparently a misunderstanding)
Anyway I eventually decided I couldn't wait until the end of March when they let you know if you have a place (too much other stress right now) and asked what was it all about. It turns out the concern is actually that they can't understand her speech. She can go to school in Sept, but I might need to get her speech therapy (obviously if I need to I will) - and I might want to consider deferring her for a year.
However, I have to decide whether to defer or not by the end of March.
Her speech is not the most advanced for her age, neither was/is her brother's, but at home she is a chatterbox and most of the time, I think, speaks fairly clearly. This year there does seem to have been a 'talking' issue at nursery, though; she will talk to her two particular friends but not to the rest of the class, or the teachers. I did look more into this when I heard it, as I was concerned she wasn't happy; but everyone who observed her in class said she seemed perfectly happy and was joining in, just not talking.
She is going through a shy/fearful phase at the moment; obviously I have no idea how long this will last.
She could have another year at nursery; her nursery teacher said it might help her confidence, being in a familiar environment -
but then she will go through school being slightly out of age group. I know it is only 6 weeks - but I did the opposite, in primary, and was accelerated, only out of age group by 3 weeks but very aware of it the whole time I was in school - and I don't think it was a good idea. DD wouldn't have the same issues; in fact she would possibly be less likely to have the social issues as the oldest in the class rather than one of the youngest(?) - but would still be 'different'.
I think I'm going back to talk to nursery... but am really not sure what I should be taking into account, let alone what decision to make. If anyone has any advice, I would be very grateful!
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To defer or not to defer, that is the question
4 replies
desertgirl · 04/03/2011 18:58
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