Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go on holiday meaning ds2 misses first 4 days of reception?

134 replies

Mosschops30 · 29/12/2013 20:40

This is a holiday of a lifetime for us so not a regular occurance
Ive got two older children who ive never taken out for holidays and never will again.
However if i go 4 days earlier its approx £800 more expensive which could be our spending money.

Ds2 will have a staggered intake into reception anyway so he may not even start til the thursday or friday.

Would i ruin his life if he didnt start until the following monday? Will everyone have made friends?

OP posts:
CaptainSweatPants · 29/12/2013 20:41

No it'll be fine
But you might get fined

ilovesmurfs · 29/12/2013 20:43

it wont make a difference.

have you spoken to the school?

my elder son missed first week of high school.

ds2 started high school, did a week and then had a week off and the younger ones were in yr three and reception. it was fine.

but clearly i am.a terribly lax parent...

Original poster
Mosschops30 · 29/12/2013 20:44

As long as im not fined £800 it will be worth it Grin

was just worried about ds2 really and whether it would be a struggle starting a few days after everyone else

OP posts:
Rubybrazilianwax · 29/12/2013 20:44

Wouldn't worry me, and I'm a teacher

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 29/12/2013 20:44

Obviously won't ruin his life, but I wouldn't do it.

Coldlightofday · 29/12/2013 20:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Mosschops30 · 29/12/2013 20:46

Thanks ruby thats reassuring Smile

havent spoken to school yet but head is lovely and knows im not the kind of parent who takes their kids out on a whim

OP posts:
Original poster
Mosschops30 · 29/12/2013 20:46

Why wouldnt you do it? Because its disruprive to ds1?

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 29/12/2013 20:48

DS only did 2.5 hr days for the first week in reception, and didn't start til the Tuesday.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 29/12/2013 20:50

I don't know... To me the first day of school was (is) an incredibly big deal and incredibly special... I'm sure he won't miss any learning but it is a real rite of passage... A bit sad that it is going to be missed because of and overshadowed by your family holiday...

But I can also see your side OP and £800 is not a small amount of money.

{{splinters in bum from sitting on fence}}

thegraduand · 29/12/2013 20:52

You might want to check with the school, DD didn't actually go into school the first week of term, reception started on the following Monday. However, I wouldn't miss the first day, they get their bearings, lots of things are explained and everyone is new together

Sirzy · 29/12/2013 20:53

I would find out how the school is going to do the starts first, might be a bit overwhelming for her going in and others already having an idea of the routines and who is who and her not. But if its only a half day then its worth it.

Coldlightofday · 29/12/2013 20:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ExitPursuedByAChristmasGrinch · 29/12/2013 20:54

Your holiday. His first day at school.

Rhubarbgarden · 29/12/2013 20:55

I agree with Hearts reasons for not doing it. I have just vetoed a family holiday suggested by dh for the first week of Sept because it will be dd's first week of reception. To be fair though, it wasn't a holiday of a lifetime.

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 29/12/2013 20:56

Yeah,I wouldn't take children out of school for a cheaper holiday anyway, and especially not when they're starting.

WooWooOwl · 29/12/2013 20:57

In your circumstances I'd do it, and I'm usually quite against taking children out of school.

I work in reception, and I do think it could well mean a bit more of a struggle to settle in, but that depends entirely on the child. Unless your child is having particular difficulty socialising, the benefit of the holiday they wouldn't otherwise get will probably outweigh the negative effect of starting school late.

Original poster
Mosschops30 · 29/12/2013 21:02

Well normally i wouldnt, and never have because i agree that its disruptive for all and doesnt set the right example.

However i want to do this this year, i cant go at easter because dd has a level revision, ditto May as she has exams.

He knows the school really well as has been going there since he was born.
I guess its more the routine and relationships that troubles me

OP posts:
Coldlightofday · 29/12/2013 21:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Coldlightofday · 29/12/2013 21:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TartyMcTart · 29/12/2013 21:06

I wouldn't but then I'm against taking kids out of school for holidays anyway. I agree that starting school is a big deal (or not if you want to play it down) but if you're adamant about the holiday then go for it - most people seem to on here...

SuburbanRhonda · 29/12/2013 21:07

What do you mean by "holiday of a lifetime", OP?

Do you mean you have to go at that time, or that you want to go to that particular destination and therefore couldn't afford to do it at any other time?

I've never taken DCs out of school for holidays in 14 years and never would, but if it's that important, could you go at the end of the summer term, when there's not so much to miss?

Original poster
Mosschops30 · 29/12/2013 21:08

Dd is year 12 doesnt go back until 8th september
Ds1 is year 4 will also miss 4 days

OP posts:
annie987 · 29/12/2013 21:08

As a reception teacher I'd say go for it.
You can't be fined unless your son is 5 as otherwise he doesn't have to be at school anyway.
Contact the school and request he is in the last phase of the staggered intake.

lljkk · 29/12/2013 21:11

I think you shouldn't ask on MN, trust your own judgement.
As you point out the other children are still being phased in, so school will be able to phase yours in fine. I really can't see it being a problem for anyone, certainly not WRT friendships.