Holidays in term time-reception

[unhappysqueezer]

I probably should know the answer to this as a former teacher but don't.
My DS will be starting reception next September, but just wanted to know what the arrangements are for holidays?
My DS will not be 5 until July so he really doesn't need to be in school until the summer term of that year and I'm not keen for him to go full time to start anyway.
Can school stop giving your child permission, under the legal requirement, to go on holiday?
Our school gave 10 days permission. My husband's job is one where he has no holidays in the summer and a month off in the winter, although a month off is extreme but I'd like to take DS to Florida next year probably in term time.

[RiversideMum]

The schools in my LA don't give any permission for holidays in term time any more. So all holidays are unauthorised and the details passed to the EWO. Whether they would follow it up for a child below school age is a matter of debate.

[scarevola]

Under 5s do not have to be at school, but once you have chosen to enrol, then they are expected to attend like all other pupils.

You sound ambivalent about DS being there at all so young, so perhaps seeking a deferment might be an option that would work best for you.

There is no right to time off for holidays in term time. It is entirely at the Head's discretion, and as posted above, may not be forthcoming.

[2littlecherubs]

At my dc school, holidays are not allowed in term time at all. Occaisionally you may get permission for 1 day off but it is heavily frowned up on (ds in reception too)

[NowNowThen]

At my DS's school no term-time holiday is allowed unless you are in the Services or have exceptional circumstances. The borough can choose to fine parents who take their children out of school during term-time, but in reality, they rarely do. The school is fairly lenient, however. We have taken DS (Year 2) out of school for trips twice so far (Obama's inauguration, to visit a sick relative) during term-time and have written to ask permission first, which was granted.

I'm not really sure why you are asking, though?

[unhappysqueezer]

I think you are right scarevola, really I don't think my LO should start school at all this/that year!
My mum was talking about going to Florida next year for a holiday and given the fact my husband works all throughout the summer the only holiday we as a family can have is in the winter, when his company give it, which this year is the whole of February off.

[teacherwith2kids]

You can defer his school entry until Easter, and the school has to keep a place open for him to do that (they might not be delighted with you doing that, and it's more common in some areas than others, but it is absolutely your right to do so).

So why not just do that - apply for a school place in the normal way, accept it but defer, keep him in whatever pre-school setting he's already at (if any) or at home with you, go on your holiday for as long as you like in February and then start school after Easter?

[unhappysqueezer]

Thanks teacherwith2kids, I have thought of that option.
He's starting pre school this week, 3 mornings, no afternoons.
I have already applied for his place at school. Just worried about him not fitting in when the time comes for him to go to school proper.

[teacherwith2kids]

I wouldn't worry too much about 'social' fitting in at that age, especially (to generalise) for a boy. Most boys of that age don't seem to have 'exclusive' friendships, and tend to accept into an activity or game anyone who also likes that activity or game ('he's my Lego friend' / 'he's one of my football friends'/ 'he's my maths friend because he knows the answers quickly like I do')

DS joined a new school 3 weeks from the end of Year 1, a time when you might expect that friendships might have formed - and was adopted into the 'boys who do lots of running about' group within the first breaktime!

The only thing I might worry about a little, especially if he is the only one joining the class at that point, is how early phonics will be taught to him. In schools where children normally join in one group in september, a huge effort is often put in to teach the cohort phonics 'fast and first', and he might miss that initial focussed teaching. If several start points are normal, then the same teaching is often repeated at every start point so the problem doesn't arrise, but if he's the only Easter starter you might want to ask the school about how he might be introduced to phonics in class.