Starting school and term time holidays.... I know, I know...!

[mummynoseynora]

ok, DD starts school in september, we are currently booked to go to centerparcs the week of the 5th of December.

before I get pounded, DD won't be 5 until february so I really don't have any issue with taking her out for this week.. however!

I have recently found out that this is the week the school used last year for the xmas play - and they make quite a big thing of it! SO.... what do I do??? How much impact will it really have on her if we go on holiday anyway and she misses out on the play... its not the play itself actually as I am sure she wouldn't give two hoots if on holiday, but its the rehearsals beforehand... are they done in class time?

Does anyone have ANY advice? we haven't had a holiday this summer as we did eurodisney in february and had this booked for december... I have to pay the balance in the next month (all fine and sat there, just having a last minute wibble before doing it!)

TIA

[rainbowinthesky]

I wouldnt do it. I really doubt your dd will want to miss the last week before the xmas holidays and I assume they will make her sit and watch the rehearsals.

[ragged]

It is no big deal if she misses the play, ime, and lots may miss the rehearsals & performances for other reasons (of course rehearsals are in class time, chickenpox epidemic took out most of reception, one year at our school).
She will be disappointed to miss out on it, but she'll get over that, too.

[ragged]

DC school just bunged DS into the choir/masses roles for rehearsals (we were off to California that year before performance). He didn't have to sit on a bench & merely watch. The school can manage sensitively if they know in advance.

[ifitoldyouiwouldhavetokillyou]

I would imagine that rehearsals will be during the school day for reception. It might be fairest to inform the schol reasonably early on about your holiday plans so DD isn't cast in The Most Important Part only to discover she won't be there to do it. In my DS 's school the reception Xmas play was definitely quite a big deal for the children and parents I'm really glad we have the memories. But equally holiday memories are really special too so I guess you have to weigh up what you feel is most important.

[mummynoseynora]

This is the problem - they are both really important to me

we did centerparcs winter wonderland last christmas the same week, and it was completely magical - a perfect start to the christmas season for us

it isn't the last week of term for her, there is another after, with the xmas disco in too (I think) ... of course this is all just conjecture as they may not do it the same week anyway... its really hard!

[aries12]

It depends on how the school view it I suppose. I guess if she has good attendance generally between now and then then it should not be a problem. I do not think it will have a long lasting negative effect on your Dd and I would do the holiday since you have paid e.t.c. However, I would avoid taking her out of school again for a few years! That is just my vew, if she gets ill then of course she needs to be at home. The week with the rehearsals may be awkard but sure it will be a learning experience for her. She is young, she should not be that bored if watching the rehearsals!

[mummynoseynora]

thanks aries

tbh I am not worried about the schools view of time out, given that she doesn't legally need to be at school anyway at that point. She is a very healthy girl - rarely ill so I don't forsee mountains of time off (unless she gets the dreaded pox)
And no, I wouldn't be booking more holidays in school time any time soon!

is it the week before they do rehearsals then? That worries me less... as last years performances were at the end of the week (thurs / fri) so rehearsals could be whilst we are away anyway?

[rainbowinthesky]

I think you are overthinking it and I am someone generally against termtime holidays. She's back for the last week and will have a fab holiday and she's 4. What's there to think about?