Another holiday in term-time dilemma

[Moomin]

Never ever thought I'd be in this position as I'm a teacher! but anyway - I was due to start my maternity leave after the 1st week of autumn term. I wanted to go into school for that 1st week just to be a bit nosey and see everyone after the hols before I went off again. Then it occured to me that dd starts pre-school that week (for 5 mornings a week) so I thought I'd need to take at least that first morning off work anyway...

We were due to have our week away in Tenby in late July/early August but dh has got a new job (yay!) and it would be much better for him to take a later holiday now so that he can settle in before he has a break.

So the dilemma is this: I think it would be better for dd if we have our hol the last week of the summer hols, and it would also mean I'd have my week in school. Dh thinks it would be better if we have the 1st or 2nd week of the new term as the prices are soooooo much lower and we'd be able to get a spanking place rather than a 1 bed flat. He says he doesn't agree with hols in term time but as it's 'only' pre-school it'd be ok. I'd then just take my mat leave from the 1st day of school and wouldn't go in after all.

What do you think?

[feelingold]

Personally I do not agree with taking kids out of school for holidays, they get lots of time off and I do not think it sets a very good example to them. Saying 'we can take them out it's only pre-school' could then lead to 'I can skive off school cos my parents used to let me do it to go on holiday' when they are older.
I know that holidays cost much less in term time, I have seen the brochures but have never taken my kids away then.
Don't mean to offend anyone, this is just my opinion.

[Moomin]

Appreciate your opinion but it's hardly going to be a regular occurance. This would be the one and only time we'd ever take her out of the system due my my own job. And I do know what it's like having holidays in the school holiday period because I've spent my whole working life having to do it. Not complaining about it either - I just know how expensive it is for many parents and I can see the temptation of taking their kids out of school. But I also know how annoying it is at secondary school when a kid misses vital exam work, for instance.

The thing I was worrying about was that dd would miss the 'settling in' period of her 1st few days (she starts on a Weds so would miss 3 half days).

[hana]

i think for preschool it is different - preschool ins't compulsary. I am in the same boat but my mat leave will be ending (boo hoo!) and I will be one week late to start the term ( I am a teacher) and dd will be late one week to start preschool. if you're going to do it then now is the time before they are doing exams etc

[Gobbledigook]

I wouldn't think twice about doing this in the pre-school year. Some children don't go to nursery at all in that year and don't suffer one iota on entering reception.

Lots of the children at ds's pre-school miss odds and ends of terms for holidays - most of the parents realise it's their last chance to take holidays while they are cheaper and wouldn't dream of doing it once they are in main school.

[Gobbledigook]

And she will only miss 3 half days?! Don't sweat it - enjoy your holiday!

[binkie]

Agree with your dh that pre-school is quite a different animal from "real" school. Judge it by your dd - if you think she'll be fine without the settling in time (mine would have been, totally), then take her out for the holiday.

[janeybops]

Normally i don't have much of a problem with kids missing school for holidays but the exception is the beginning of the school year in Sept. This is when teachers set up class routines and I have found in the past if they miss time then they can find it difficult to settle back to school.

[jenkel]

I'm not at that stage yet, but do object about not being allowed to take kids out of school for holidays. I think to take kids out of school for a 2 week holiday once a year is no great disaster. And, depending on where you go on holiday it can be as just a good education as school. We have a lot of family in Australia and NZ and we visit every couple of years and I can see this continuing and I wont go during the summer holidays as its the winter then. So will tag it on to the christmas holiday for example, what I am supposed to do, stop them seeing their grandparents. I think you need to be sensible and as long as they dont have loads of sickness or other missed days then I think its perfectly acceptable and I will strongly object to anybody who tells me I cant.

[Moomin]

I think if you feel strongly that you want to take your kids out of school in term time then you have to take responsibility for the implications. I think it all depends on the stage they are at in school and also about trying to ensure that your child catches up on any essential or at least very important work missed.

I don't think it's particularly a good idea during Year 10 or 11 when they are on their GCSE course as missing work then is likely to have a direct effect on their results. It's also a bit unreasonable to ask teachers to set extra work or spend extra time with kids who have missed work due to holidays, which is what I've been asked to do in the past. Having said that, I do feel a little better disposed towards those parents who let me know in advance, either in person or with a nice phone call or letter, and ask for work that they will do with their child at home!

As for missing SATs and all that guff, I really have had my fill with them - they mean diddlysquat to anyone apart from the government and the school's position in the league tables and I can hand-on-heart say that missing these tests will NOT have a long-term effect on your child's progress.

[JulieF]

Hear Hear re SATS. Not worth the paper the league tables are written on!