Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

Keeping dc off preschool?

16 replies

Esmeismyhero · 03/07/2015 10:00

I have two dc that are in preschool for 3 hours a day. Yesterday and today they have said they want to stay home and color and relax so I've obliged, I've got work to do for a show on Sunday but otherwise I'm happy to have the extra 3 hours with them.

This doesn't happen often and dc start school in September so I know that after then they won't be able to stay at home if they want. But AIBU to think during preschool if they ask to stay home on the rare occasion then that's ok?

My dh is not happy with me and says they need preschool.

OP posts:

Bunbaker · 03/07/2015 10:12

It's nearly the end of term and it's preschool, not school so I would let them. They will have plenty of years in full time education where you won't be able to do this.

Iggly · 03/07/2015 10:13

Yes why not! It is not compulsory.

InexperiencedDisneyMum · 03/07/2015 10:17

Your choice but my friend was like this with her Dd. When it came to school she was a nightmare to get into school. She wanted her mum to let her stay at home all the time. For an easy life her mum let her. She had a visit from the welfare officer as her Dd's attendance was 70%.

Original poster

Esmeismyhero · 03/07/2015 10:20

I've kept them off when they asked no more than 5 times, they usually love preschool but it's hot and they just want to relax. I feel the same.

OP posts:

Dunkyourcustardcream · 03/07/2015 10:42

It's lovely you kept them home. They're only little for goodness sake. Silly husband.

Bragadocia · 03/07/2015 10:46

I agree with you. Enjoy the last weeks of flexibility while you can. Have them at home.

Artandco · 03/07/2015 10:52

I do. I have to travel with work often. Sometimes it's easier if I leave school age child with dh and I take pre schooler with me. Means we both only have one to work around. It's not compulsory and I figure I pay per term not per day, so they are still being paid if they don't attend. I do tell them before the day though

I also occasionally take eldest out of school also. Sometimes it has to happen as nobody in the UK so he can hardly stay alone. It's a private school though so no fines for not attending. I just explain why and tell them when he will be returning. We try and make it a fri or mon only so not too much missed. He is homeschooled when travelling

Original poster

Esmeismyhero · 03/07/2015 12:59

Glad I'm not bu

OP posts:

EnjoyTheSimpleThingsInLife · 03/07/2015 13:03

YANBU My dd has been off for the last 3 days. I don't usually let her stay off but we have had a family emergency so she has been unable to go in.

I think it's fine you have let your dc have a break

ninaaa · 03/07/2015 13:12

I don't think it is a good idea to allow them to stay at home just because they want to.

Whilst preschool itself isn't compulsory, by allowing them to stay home, just because they want to relax, they may get the impression that school also is optional and they don't have to go when they don't feel like it (like inexperienced's friend).

Also, it is so close to the holidays, it doesn't make sense to take a day off now for no good reason, when in a couple of weeks you will have them at home for six weeks, and they will have plenty of time to relax.

I don't agree with your DH either, kids don't need preschool, but having committed to sending them, I personally would only take days off for specific important events, or gaining a new experience that they would not gain in preschool e.g. visiting family, going away on holiday, or a day trip, rather than colouring, which is what they would be doing at preschool anyway.

morethanpotatoprints · 03/07/2015 13:19

No problem at all OP, putting it into perspective none of our 3 went at all.
No form of schooling is compulsory whatever the age.

FieldTrip · 03/07/2015 13:23

Missing a day's pre-school is no problem at all. I would be worried about what precedent I was setting for when they start school though.

Tory79 · 03/07/2015 13:27

Ds has missed pre school a few times because we are doing other things, but I don't let him stay at home just because he's asked, because I don't want him to have the idea that it's his choice to go or not.

MiaowTheCat · 03/07/2015 13:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Smokedsalmonbagel · 03/07/2015 13:53

Enjoy and have fun!

FinnJuhl · 03/07/2015 14:06

There's not necessarily a precedent. I was fairly flexible about when Ds went to pre-school depending on his energy levels or if we had other plans.

Once he started reception, he turned up everyday with no fuss at all. Make the most of the flexibility while you can!

Flip