Starting school Sept 2015, should I defer for a term/year?

[Lzzy1987]

Hello folks! Got a school registration leaflet from my DD's nursery today. And I'm really unsure as to what to do...

DD who is currently 3, will of only just turned 4 when/if she starts schoolH(she's a july baby). How do I know if she's going to be ready? I know I've got a fair bit of time to think it over...she could stay on at her nursery for a year. She adores nursery! Currently goes 3 afternoons per week. She is fully potty trained, already knows numbers/letters/alphabet ect...can just about write her name and can read simple words (cat/dog/big/small). But she still struggles getting dressed, putting shoes and socks on, getting her coat on/off. I really dont know what to do. Any advice on what you did your little one's...especially if they are summer babys...

Thanks for reading :)

[HSMMaCM]

I have a July baby (she's 15 now ). She started school in the January, rather than September, but she was probably ready in September. You have a year to practice changing clothes. Make sure she has easy velcro shoes, etc.

They change so much at that age, so make a judgement nearer the time.

[BackforGood]

She loves Nursery now, as she's at the right age / stage for Nursery.
Next year, she'll probably love Reception, as she's the right age for Reception!

She will develop massively in the 10 months before school starts, and will be ready to start alongside all her peers.

Perhaps (and, as I've said, you've got months to do this) put more of a focus on the physical things than the 'academia' in the coming months - do lots of fine motor things to help her be ready for buttons and zips and shoes etc.

[LIZS]

You can apply for a place now but defer her start date to January or Easter 2016. She may well very quickly outgrow a nursery settings once older children have moved on.

[duplofrenzy]

2 summer born DS. Ds1 went at 4y and 1m and I hated it, felt like no point and do young still. Ds2 has stayed at nursery for reception and I am much happier with it...but have yet to see the transfer later. No easy way to win as if hold back they are joining late but all children joining ds1 class later on settled well, but maybe depends on turnover in your area.
Discuss options with nursery and then take a view on it nearer the time...as late as nursery will keep place for you! And look at school to see what environment would be and talk about reduced hours if that appeals, did for us with ds1, although only out for 4h/wk extra.
Think ok either way. I agonised over it with no 1 and just went with gut feel with no 2... The latter is so much more relaxing! And not bored at nursery

[PoppyWearer]

My July-born DD struggled quite a bit with the friendships side of things and also putting on her coat etc. BUT a few years down the line, and she was at the same stage as your DD a few years back OP, she is now excelling at school and loving to learn.

Be prepared for lots of tiredness and tears in that first term, but she will swim rather than sink in the end.

[bearwithspecs]

All the summer borns in our school are doing just fine - there are loads as our school is huge !

[BoysRule]

If you defer your DD she will start school in Year 1 next year and will completely miss out on Reception. My DS was 4 a few days before school started in September but I felt it was more important for him to make friendships and have Reception at school than stay in nursery where his development would probably plateau. Their development is very fast at this age and she will catch up.

Also, Reception is very much play based and the teachers are very experienced at working with children who are summer born. Focus on the personal side of things - coat, shoes, dressing, toileting etc - academics aren't relevant at this stage. I remember when my son was about to go into Year 1 I was trying to teach him to do buttons on his shirt and thought he would never manage it - he learnt within a few weeks of being in Year 1. They are amazing.