Taking DS on holiday the first week back?

[wubblybubbly]

Okay, we've got a chance to get away for a week at the beginning of September, but it means that DS (nearly 4) will miss the first week of his first full nursery term.

He started last January but it's been a pretty tough year and we've not been abe to get away because my health. I've actually got a short gap in my medical treatment, which means we can fit in a week away, nothing flash, just a caravan a few hours away, but it's a break IYSWIM.

AIBU to think that it won't matter too much if he misses the first week back just this once? Will the school be cheesed off?

Just do it. Nobody really cares that much.

GO! My DD was in nursery class last year (integrated class with Receptions, so just like 'real' school). LOADS of people took their kids out in term-time, including 2 children who missed the very first week.

I know some people who didn't even send their children to nursery class, and others who just sent them 2 days a week. As long as you keep the school in the loop, I think its fine.

I'm a primary teacher and we often have children who miss the first few days of term. It's not a big deal as you are all just getting settled in, getting the children used to being back in a routine (this includes going to the toilet at playtime!!!) and getting to know them.

The activities we would be doing would be revision with older children, brushing up handwriting, art, technology etc. nothing mind-blowing!!

TBH, it can be a bit of a pain in the neck for the teacher,and children can miss quite a lot in the early years but most parents are quite keen to help them catch up.

We had a family who always took the week off just before the October Week so that they could have 2 weeks. Meant I had to make sure I did any testing etc while the pupil was still there.

PParents used to ask us to prepare work for the children to take with them!!!! We used to do it, but eventually the HT said no more.

However, I totally understand why parents do o it and I'm only jealous that I can't!! Holidays outwith term time are outrageously expensive so I'd go in a heartbeat if I could haha!

I can't see how a week at any stage of their education can make a real difference, tbh. When I was in 5th Year at high school, we went to the Isle of Wight during the October Week as my mum (who was a HT) was back at work after a hysterectomy and really needed a rest. My grandparents lived there.

I remember taking all my books, of my own volition, and had great intentions, but..... it was very hot and the temptation to lie and sunbathe got the better of me!!

I had to go as my Mum didn't trust me to stay at home myself! So even though I didn't actually miss school, it was ridiculous to think that I was going to do any work!

AA colleague of mine didn't go on holiday at Easter for several years as she didn't want to disrupt her children's exam studying time. Let them have a break, I say!!

What I'm trying to say is... go and enjoy yourself! If the nursey don't like it, TOUGH!! They'll get it over it!

In my school, children who take holidays during term time are classed as having unauthorised absences. Who cares!!!! It just means that the school has this on their statistics. What is anyone going to do? Barricade the roads/airports etc!!!!

AA colleague!!!

Should of course just be A colleague! She's not an alcoholic and neither am i!!

That was a typo, my first post here and seemed to lose the side of the page, hence why i also have PParents. Maybe they might want to ppppick up a ppppenguin!!

Sorry!!!!!

@ cubbie.

I'm so glad I posted this now, it helps to hear from everyone that it's no big deal, makes me wonder now why I was giving myself such a hard time over it. Particularly since I've now delegated the job of calling the school to DH .

Sorry you're having such a tough time belle. Do you think you might be able to get away and have some fun with your DS? He sounds like such a lovely young lad. Is there anyone who could maybe come along with you both, to help in case you have some grotty days? I've talked my DB into coming with the 3 of us, he's young and daft and always helps to entertain DS.

I'm lucky in many ways, as DS is so young, he doesn't really understand what's going on. Hopefully this week away will help make some good memories for us all.

I was going to post saying YABU but your child is at nursery so absolutely fine.

FWIW I am a primary school teacher and have to diagree with an earlier poster. In my experience the first week back in September is the worst to be away - for the child. It tends to be when friendship groups re establish after the long summer. We do settling in games and teambuilding work as a class so when the 'new' child joins the class after all this they can sometimes find it takes a couple of weeks to settle back into the routines and friendship groups. I always feel really sorry for them.

Just about any other week in the school year is preferable to the first week in September, for the child. For teachers obviously SATs and other testing weeks are worse!

Enjoy your holiday and don't feel guilty:)