Moving to the UK, how far behind will my child be?

[thequeenofconfused]

My son is 5 has had no formal education of any kind as compulsory school doesn't start here for another couple of years.
He can recognizes numbers to about 10 but no letters or words, he knows English as we are a bilingual family but I'm sure his use will be far behind that of his peers.
potty training wise he is in pullups, still using them to poop, but okay for wee, he should be okay at school in underpants, what happens when he has an accident?
What should a 5 year old know to 'fit in' with other children of the same age in the uk?

[2014newme]

You need to resolve the toilet issues as a priority. Can you do some letter recognition or phonics with him and expand his number awareness?

[thequeenofconfused]

Thank you. Do you have any product suggestions or sites to teach phonics, as I've heard it's not the same as American phonics.

[Flushedwithsomething]

This might be useful. Is there a developmental reason he is still not potty trained? It would be considered unusual here.

[sirfredfredgeorge]

Will he be going in to year 2 or year 1 on arrival?

If he's a summer born 5 and going in to year 2, he'll stand out an awful lot more than if he's going into year 1. Year 1, he may well find some similar level peers, but if it's year 2, he's more likely to feel the odd one out.

[Mary21]

School will expect him to be out of pull ups unless he has some special needs that preclude this. He will be expected to change himself for pe, put on and take of his coat, carry his lunch tray etc. He will be expected to be able to sit quietly on the carpet and listen, comply with instructions, wait his turn .
5 year olds do have accidents and many schools have spare sets of trouser and pants but they would be hoping not to need them.
Depending where in the country you are moving to schools are used to pupils arriving from abroad with varying pre knowledge.
Schools use phonics to teach reading so don't try and teach him to read in preparation using other methods. Its probibly best just to read lots to him. Ensure his fine motor skills are good so he is ready to learn to write. Use things like lego, threading, helping you cook. Use terms such as half , quarter when cutting cakes, pizza, get him to help with shopping, handling coins counting money, telling time. Then he will be in a good place to start learning. Others will be ahead but he should catch up fast.

[thequeenofconfused]

He's behind here too toilet wise, but it didn't matter as he only goes to the daycare and they change him.
He holds his poop in until he has a pullup on, he's never wiped himself i don't know any 5 year olds that can.

Thank you for that list, most of those he's okay in. I'm panicking less now.

I tihnk he will be in year 1 he was 5 in October.

[2014newme]

He needs to use the toilet properly, wipe himself, wash his hands etc.
Has he been babied do you think? Can you get nursery to help you toilet train him?
He will stand out in school if he can't use a toilet. They won't wipe him although they will deal with an accident but it could be embarrassing for him.

[thequeenofconfused]

He is my only child maybe i babied him too much.

I will talk to his daycare.

[ijustwannadance]

He will be a bit behind but it's essential you get the toilet thing sorted. They will not take him to the toilet or wipe him.

He will be in year 1 but one of the oldest.

[ChampagneSocialist1]

He will go into reception class I agree with the others getting him toilet trained should be your main concern now if you want him to start school

[ChampagneSocialist1]

Apologies not reception but year 1 but a year 1 child not out of pull ups will be an issue here unless Special needs

[ijustwannadance]

Yes, depends when you are actually moving here.
Now= reception, but only for a few weeks
Sept= year 1

[thequeenofconfused]

we are moving early July.

[mellowbean]

He won't be allowed in school if he's not toilet trained. If he soils himself teachers won't clean him they will give him clothes and expect him to sort himself out.

[mrz]

Schools can not bar a child simply because they aren't toilet trained (it's illegal) but he would stand out.

[thequeenofconfused]

OK more practice with potty training and the self care is the top of the list.

[LIZS]

As he's already 5 he would be expected to be in ft school/education straight away. By early July there will only be a few weeks left before Summer break and you may not find a space immediately. If you know where you will be living it might be worth making enquiries and visit before they finish. Are there any SN which hinder his toilet training or have you just not pushed it? He needs to be continent as schools do not have resources to assist him on a regular basis and accidents are the exception, especially in y1. Academically the ability range is wide so that will be less of an issue.

[thequeenofconfused]

what about phonics mentioned above are there any tools i can use to build this skill?

[LIZS]

It used to be Jolly Phonics but things may have moved on.

[thequeenofconfused]

It's my fault LIZs i have not pushed it very much as i have not needed to. maybe i have been too relaxed.

[AgentOprah]

If you Google "early learning goals" you will see what children are typically expected to do by the end of the reception year. Independent toileting, basic phonics and numbers to 20 will definitely help.

[ijustwannadance]

Look at jolly phonics website or app.
Is he able to use technology? Pad or smartphone?

[thequeenofconfused]

yes he's able to use tech.

[thequeenofconfused]

i will get this app thank you.

[Iwantawhippet]

Official schemes include jolly phonics. Try pirate phonics on the iPad. Kids live it and learn quickly as it is lots of games.