To take my Dd out of school for a day at the zoo?

I actually hate lying but unfortunately we are sometimes forced to lie due to ridiculous rules.

The attendance rules have become ridiculous and draconian.

Due to some parents whose children have very low attendance and because of government targets. Sensible parents are no longer allowed to use their own judgement and make their own decisions without being criminalised and fined.

I mean, do what you want (you’ve already decided to already).

but it’s a bit rich to be worried about the teacher being funny with her. Not that I think they will be, but that’s one of the potential consequences you face and you make such decisions, surely?

Having been to Legoland on a day in summer term time(random inset day) it was nearly as busy as in the holiday. So if you are looking to avoid crowds, it's probably not worth it.

In this case ask on a forum specific to the country you're in. People in the UK harbour the delusion that the UK has an unusually strict policy on school attendance, but if you live in, say, Germany and go to the zoo during school hours with a child who is obviously Schulepflichtig you'll have a lot more potential serious problems happening than in a country where home education is legal...

This argument is a bit daft - the adults who can choose when to take annual leave are the ones who don't get 13 weeks leave at set times! Those who's occupation is compulsory education have in practical terms more free time than those with only five or six weeks annual leave (I know about how teachers' contacts work before someone lectures me on it not being 13 weeks' leave for teachers), but don't get to choose when they take their annual leave.

I don't think taking a five year old out for one day actually matters, but not because it's comparable to annual leave, just because she's five years old!

Ylu are getting English based answers due to the ridiculous attendance policy in England.

And prsuming shes 5 as she just started school.

You need to follow the rules for your country. They might be more accepting.

Right. I suspect many of us were responding with knowledge of UK schools.
Where are you?

Absolutely fine. Just say it’s a family day/ family event.

I agree there’s no need to be rude about it but I also thought that was a bit of hyperbole if I’m honest.

I suppose it depends on how you see lying. Some people see it as in it’s very nature it’s wrong; the second you have been less than honest it’s immoral.

I disagree in my view. I think lying is sometimes necessary and it is sometimes the best thing to do. I’ve lied about days off at work - far from on a frequent basis but sometimes the truth would have been something like ‘I absolutely cannot face coming in today’ or ‘I am just too fricking tired.’

Telling the truth in those circumstances would have been awkward and not accepted but the raw facts were true - I couldn’t come in. But some sort of explanation or reason is needed. And most people will do that really sorry but we do have plans and so on.

As someone who’s eldest child has actually left school now, I think it’s fine.

I certainly wouldn’t make a habit of it, but for one day in order to be able to do something special I think you are allowed to take control of your own life.

All this worrying what the teacher might think, once your children leave the school you are never going to see the teachers again.

You have to use your own judgement. If a child has already had a lot of time off due to sickness, or if they are behind and missing a day really could be define at then no. But if it was coming up to the Summer term and they’d been there every day then on balance the day out would be more worthwhile.

Places like that will be heaving with school trips now that SATs are over in England (if applicable). I expect that other countries also do a lot of fun activities towards the end of term as well.

Do it and enjoy it. From a primary teacher!

No idea where people got the idea she was 5from.
if she isn’t in the UK then there isn’t a risk of fine so even more of a reason to take her.

As a teacher, I think it’s brilliant for kids to learn they also have autonomy and can break rules that don’t hurt anyone. I do think it’s a life skill to learn to enjoy yourself!

Hope you and she have a great day out!

Our attitude to lying evidently differs.

Have a pleasant day.

I wouldn’t it send a message to DD next bull be she doesn’t want go on her birthday

How would the school know?

I know everyone insists their child will tell but older children do understand and younger children … well my five year old told the lovely ta in his class that I took him to space when he had a hospital appointment!

Deception 😂 have you heard yourself

I remember this being discussed in a court case where I was a juror. The judge stated

The purpose of a white lie is generally to help the person who is being told the lie, such as not telling someone about a suprise party, telling a young child that santa is real etc. It comes with good intentions towards the person being told the lie, and generally with the concept that the truth will be told eventually - the person finds out about the party, a child finds out santa isn't real when they get older etc.

If the lie benefits the person telling the lie, then it's a lie, not a white lie. So in this case, the OP is telling the lie with the aim of not getting into trouble.

I think lying when the school will probably know it's a lie creates a worse impression.

And it means the child is expected to be involved in the deception.

I'm not anti children missing school for a special occasion, but I'm not sure a zoo is a big enough event really to be worth it. You can just go at a weekend to the zoo

What have you don't in previous years? If she has lots of homework and is top of her year she must be 8 or 9 at least

Why is everyone saying she's 5, the OP never said that.

I would actually call this a white lie, if we go with this definition minor, harmless untruth told with good intentions. They are primarily used to be polite, prevent hurt feelings, or avoid unnecessary drama or awkwardness in social situations.

I personally wouldn’t be honest because - well, I think it creates a bad impression of me and therefore my child.

But I do also think days like this are important. So …

Teacher here - one day at 5 years old isn't going to do any harm. Take her.
But as an aside, I'm curious about this "top in every subject" part. She's in Reception. No teacher would ever say that to a parent and how would they even assess "every subject" at that age.