Can a preschool do this?

[Shittenshite]

Long, sorry.

My 3 year old daughter attends a nursery which is part of a school. She has 30 hours funded childcare so attends 5 days a week for the full school day. She enjoys it, is absolutely thriving and its very close to us so convenient too as we're able to walk to school and back.

Even through it's a nursery - and they call it a nursery - the children wear uniform and adhere to most school rules although they do relax some of them for the nursery class as they are so little to have lots of relatively strict rules imposed on them.

Because she is only three, she is NOT legally obliged to be in education. She could be at home being looked after by myself and her dad, or she could be part time or full time in a nursery of our choosing. There are lots of reasons why we chose for her to be in preschool and we stand by those reasons and that decision.

It's our daughter's 4th birthday very soon and will be on a school day. I asked the staff whether we could have that day with her (as in not take her to school on that day) on the full understanding that we understand absolutely that once she starts reception, that she is legally obliged to be in education and that we cannot and will not take her out of school for her birthdays (or any other family celebrations), should they fall on a school day. We were hoping to do something nice with her before she starts 'proper' school and that they'd understand.

Nope. We were told it would be recorded as an unauthorised absence and were handed a form to fill in about leave of absence during term time. The form lists 9 reasons why parents should not take children out of school during term time. Most of them are understandable and we agree with them, HOWEVER, one of them says "you are saying that education is not important". Lastly, it asks the parent or guardian to sign the form stating that they understand and accept the 'list' and that fines could be imposed, blah blah.

I am saying BOLLOCKS TO THAT. I am not signing this form and confirming that I am claiming that education isn't important. Of course it's important BUT SHE'S NOT OBLIGED TO BE IN EDUCATION and we are not obliged to send her to school at this age.

Can school do this? I could ask for their policies for the nursery class I guess (it's not on the school's website) but fucking hell that's harsh!

Hmmm 🤔

Are you sure that is the EXACT wording on the form? Or is this your interpretation of it?

'You are saying that education is not important'

I'm sorry but this seems rather far fetched, even if a parent does take a child out of compulsory school for a few days for whatever reason this does not mean they think education is not important, and I don't think a school would imply that.

I can't believe a school would be so aggressive and confrontational to parents.

I don't think it's worth worrying much about this form right now – it isn't actually a legal document and I doubt the school really takes any notice of who signs it and agrees that "education isn't important" other than to keep a record of attendance. I would just keep DD off, say sadly she was ill on her birthday etc., they will suspect you're lying but it really doesn't matter as there are no consequences. But I would keep in mind that if she carries on past her 5th birthday you probably will have to sign this form and agree that education isn't important at some point in the future

Oh, some do.

My daughters school is the same. And the wording is along the lines of “you agree education is not important”, can’t remember our exact wording. It really, really upset a friend of mine when she had to take her children abroad for a few days to visit their dying father for the last time (her exh) and she had to sign the form.

Some schools can be very aggressive and confrontational. I was a welfare and attendance officer at a primary at one point and our policy was worded similarly and SLT did tell me to tell parents that it was compulsory for 3 year olds to attend everyday (I didn’t). Most parents believe that to be true anyway.

I would see why they are being so zealous.

I also wouldn't really quibble about them using the general form in Reception, where some of the children will have reached the compulsory age (as it really would be too much faff to have two forms on the go, as human error is bound to creep in to who gets which one)

I don't really like the idea of using the same form for nursery, where none of the children would have reached compulsory age, but I suppose I can see why it's administratively easier for them (and they're highly likely to be trying to reduce all admin to save money).

I would strike through all the parts that are inapplicable, and replace them with "N/A - child is below CSA"

Yes. In the OP I put that sentence in quotation marks as it was a direct quote from the form.

So glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks the form is just bullshill!

I forgot I'd taken a photo of the form to send to a friend before I ripped it up. Hopefully you'll see now I'm not making this up!