August Born Child

[DMrob]

Hi, my son is a August born child, I’m currently looking at schooling for him as he potentially starts September 2020.
This has probably already been asked a lot but I’m confused on whether to defer him or not.
What are parents opinions? Are there any benifits from doing this?

[snailywhaley]

Join the flexible schools admissions group on Facebook. It has all the information you need and lots of helpful people!

[Fandabydosey]

I think it is a very tricky question to answer. It is about doing what is right for your child. As an early years practitioner I can see both pros and cons. The EYFS goes on until the end of reception so in theory nursery shouldn't be any different to school. September born children can sometimes get bored and if they are in a setting where there are 2 year olds they may be held back and not progress socially as they are not aspiring to anyone older. It is more common for children to stay at nursery an extra year. Remember nursery staff are not teachers and not trained to the same level as a teacher is some county councils will do this but then they have to miss reception and go straight into Yr 1 or skip a year eg Yr 6. A good reception teacher should be able to adapt their teaching to all needs. Having said that there is a massive argument for children starting formal education at the age of 7. Countries that have this type of education system seem to have more rounded children, who are well adjusted learn better and thrive in a formal setting. There is increasing evidence to say children who stay behind in nursery benefit but it's quite a new thing so children who are held back are not at GCSE age yet, only time will tell if it benefits them or not in later school years.
Are you planning to stay in the same nursery/preschool? This may not be beneficial to stay in the same place, the reason why children are moved on each year is because it gives them a sense of achievement and progression. Then there is the friendship group to think of will all his little friends move on to school and he be left behind? This can have a negative impact on their emotional wellbeing too. Good luck with what ever you decide

[Pipandmum]

My son was born end of July at 37 weeks. He was so ready for school I never thought of putting it off! He was at daycare while I worked and then all day nursery three days a week after that. He was big for his age, full of beans and ready to go.
You know your child - do you think it would be a disadvantage to be one of the youngest? Or to be the oldest? Only you know.

[ItsChristmaaaaaaaaas]

I was the youngest and I started school a year early.

I did finish my degree at 20, that’s about all I can say really! I always felt very young (and ignorant about ‘stuff’ although I was always at the top of the class in primary) and was usually the smallest in the class. I was also the youngest of a lot of siblings so I suppose I was used to being the squirt.

[Darbs76]

My August born DS is 15 now, expected to get top grades in his GCSE’s, not affected him one bit. I never considered holding him back a year.

[Cdl84]

I was an august born child and had no problems at school, and qualified as a doctor aged 22. My first baby was born in august and I wont hold them back unless there are any obvious issues nearer the time.

[coffeeforone]

I think generally people don't. My DS is summer born and will start school in September 2020. All of his nursery peers will too, and a lot of them have birthdays in August. I don't know anyone deferring.

[Tumbleweed101]

I have July and August babies. My July baby wasn’t ready (ended up homeschooling for a few years) but my August baby was. I found it more of a problem at the top end of school. My August dd wasn’t quite mature enough to sit and study for GCSE’s. The year later at college she was much my focused. She also found it a pain being unable to drive when all her friends were already 17 and driving.