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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider a term time holiday for a 4yo?

45 replies

longestlurkerever · 01/02/2016 12:01

I've been offered free accommodation somewhere exciting and educational the week before the Easter holiday. I can't afford to go during the holidays as the free accommodation is not available and the peak time flights are out of my reach, though we could go somewhere more affordable and less exciting - probably in the UK. Dd is 4 so not legally obliged to be in school yet. What are the implications of taking them out of school at this age?

OP posts:
Original poster
longestlurkerever · 01/02/2016 12:03

Actually, thinking about it, she'd miss less than a week as school breaks up at midday on the Thurs.

OP posts:
kimlo · 01/02/2016 12:07

For a reception child and less than a week I wouldnt think twice, I would go.

CocktailQueen · 01/02/2016 12:08

Don't think twice! Just go!

Mistigri · 01/02/2016 12:09

She's 4. FOUR!!! Not fourteen.

It's a daft question, just go ahead and book your flights and enjoy the trip.

ghostyslovesheep · 01/02/2016 12:11

No - I'm taking mine away in June and they are 7,11 and 13
I can't afford school holiday prices and my job makes time off in summer difficult
I won't do it again after this year as my eldest will be in year 9 and I can't disrupt her GCSEs (prep starts in yr 9)
So do it - while you can!

Original poster
longestlurkerever · 01/02/2016 12:15

Ooh, thanks. I might well have decided sod it even if mn disapproved, but it's nice to know ianbu!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 01/02/2016 12:17

It won't affect the settling in period and as you say it's actually less than a week. 4? I'd do it.
And I'm the one on here always saying holidays shouldn't be taken in term time!

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 01/02/2016 12:19

I would (and did!) do it... I took my DD out for 2 weeks and am going to do it again this year.

ridemesideways · 01/02/2016 12:21

I wonder if before the age of statutory education the LA could do anything about it anyway...

Janeymoo50 · 01/02/2016 12:21

I'd go (and wouldn't care if it was educational or not at 4 years old). Have fun.

KitKatCustard · 01/02/2016 12:21

Sure.
You won't mind if the teacher also goes on holiday in term time too then?

ridemesideways · 01/02/2016 12:24

I wouldn't mind if dd's teacher wanted a term time holiday KitKat, no.

kimlo · 01/02/2016 12:24

The teacher chose a job where they knew that they wouldnt be able to have any free choice annual leave. The ops dd is 4. I dont really see how you can compare the two to be honest.

WorraLiberty · 01/02/2016 12:27

Kitkat Grin That's hardly comparing like for like is it?

Unless of course the OP's 4yr old teaches the class...

KittyandTeal · 01/02/2016 12:31

Term time hols for teachers is a bit different to a 4yo (and I say that as a teacher)

Do it, the only reason my kids will never have term time holidays is because I can't take time off. It does mean we probably won't be able to afford holidays abroad.

Go for it, at 4 she'll get loads out of it, especially if she's missing the last few days of school

AndNowItsSeven · 01/02/2016 12:32

A child of non compulsory school age cannot have a unauthorised absence.

MrsJayy · 01/02/2016 12:32

I did it when mine were at school end of term is always cheaper you won't get an authorised absence but its a few days go enjoy

MrsJayy · 01/02/2016 12:34

Of course they can we don't have reception class here dd2was 4 in Primary 1 she had a day off for a christening and got an unauthorized absence

ridemesideways · 01/02/2016 12:57

Side note... If a 7 year old child, say, was to be taken on a two week holiday during term time, what is to stop the parent 'de-registering' them and officially 'providing an education otherwise', which is legal, for that period, to avoid the fine?

Other than it being a ballache for the LA's paperwork and you might piss off the head / might lose school place?

Babynamechange · 01/02/2016 13:00

Defintely do it. It will go down as unauthorised absence because you've technically enrolled with the school which makes the 'not of legal school age' no longer applicable (I know this as I've been in the same position) , but that doesn't really matter and your DD will get loads out of it xx

PurpleCrazyHorse · 01/02/2016 13:24

We did it to DisneyLand Paris. Mum was paying for our whole family (so us plus bro & SIL) so had to go at a time convenient for everyone else, was 3 days before half term, so called DD in with D&V (48hrs clear was the rule at her school) and went.

We didn't tell DD (so she wouldn't say anything) and of course she didn't go back to school until after half term. A 4yo is pretty ropey on getting the days of the week right for her little holiday Grin so we just pretended it was during the holidays.

She was in reception and it was a one off, not to be repeated, holiday but we wouldn't have got it authorised. As DD had had virtually no sickness, we decided to do it.

AppleSetsSail · 01/02/2016 13:28

I strongly disagree with 4 year olds being in school in the first place. GO.

TeaT1me · 01/02/2016 13:28

I wouldn't lie about sickness. Schools used to be happy to authorise up to 2 weeks until gove changed the rules. If your kid is in school it will be "unauthorised" but just write a letter in that says something along the lines of "just to.let you know we will be taking child out on these dates...."

DisappointedOne · 01/02/2016 13:32

Didn't think twice about it at 4, doing it again shortly now she's 5. School has no problem with it. Family time is important.

DangerMouth · 01/02/2016 13:32

Dd1 is going to miss the first day of yr1. Then l'm hoping to take her out for an extra week at Christmas to go long haul. Now that is bad. But it will be fun for all of us Smile