AIBU - term time holidays not allowed for school nursery children?

[Nevertimeforcake]

I'm not sure if this is a general rule but my dd has just started at a nursery attached to a seemingly lovely primary school near us. She has to do mornings, 5 days a week term time as they do not offer full days so it's quite restrictive. I asked the teacher what the policy was around taking her out for a weeks holiday during term time and was told it would be considered unauthorised absence but I could probably 'get away with' one holiday. This seems a bit ott to me - I intend to stick by this rule when my child starts school proper but a lot of pre-school is just playing so she's not going to miss major educational milestones is she?!

Teacher says the headmaster is 'training us' for when our children start school proper - do I need training?!

I'd like to make the most of our last year of not being tied to school holidays and do 3 term time holidays - is this a no no? Or would you do it and be damned?

[BitchQueen90]

My DS is in a private nursery (not attached to school) and I get the 15 hours funding. They're happy for us to take term time holidays. Took one in June and going again in November. He's had a couple of odd days off here and there too to spend with his dad (my exH) as he works shifts and rarely gets a weekend off to spend with him. Maybe because it's attached to a school they have that policy? Either way it's ridiculous, make the most of term time holidays while you can!

[Cousinit]

This is crazy...why would you even need to seek their "authorisation" to take your child out of nursery?! I would send my child elsewhere tbh

[Hoppinggreen]

My daughters preschool had this rule but it turned out that what it actually meant was you still had to pay if you took term time holidays.

[jay55]

It's not like preschool has to report attendance for league tables. Do what you like and have fun on holiday.

[Hygellig]

Really? I'm surprised as I thought term time holidays were allowed until the twem after the child is 5 which may also include some of Reception. We took DS away for a week when he was in school nursery as did several other parents. I had to fill in a form but that was it.

[AChickenCalledKorma]

Teacher says the headmaster is 'training us' for when our children start school proper.

How patronising! I hope you find a way to take the holiday without falling out with them.

[Idliketobeabutterfly]

Go on the holidays now. Even in reception they can do nothing until term after child is 5 as only then is education compulsory. They can do naff all before then.

[gillybeanz]

Teacher says the headmaster is 'training us' for when our children start school proper.

Well that would mean my child wouldn't attend the adjoining school, what a twat.

[Idliketobeabutterfly]

We got a naughty naughty letter about attendance when DS was in school nursery. His only time off was chicken pox (caught at nursery) and eye appointments at hospital.
I phoned up the 'welfare officer' and made it clear i wasn't amused. They didn't write again.

[confuugled1]

I'd find that attitude really insulting from the head and it would be a massive red flag about him being a jobsworth in other areas within the school too, once they start reception proper...

[Secretmetalfan]

Just go on holiday. Don't see the problem with term time holidays )unless near exams) tbh anyway

[Planty18]

It's voluntary at this age, it's a guideline, not something they can enforce, take the chance while you can, they are just trying to encourage attendance and get them into a routine, you know your child.

[HanYOLO]

Of course you don't need to ask permission, though given them notice would be polite.

However, I imagine if your DC barely ever turned up they might be allowed to withdraw the place so another child could take it up. Imagine it would have to be pretty bad for it to get to that stage though.

[AnnPerkins]

Training you!? I think this shows you what the school's attitude to parents is like.

[HarveySchlumpfenburger]

They can't do anything about it but they do monitor attendance in nursery because it's often an indicator of the children that are likely to be persistently absent in reception.
If you want to go, just go. They aren't going to do much and the exact register code isn't that important to you.

[fruitatthebottom]

What a load of bollocks - school is not compulsory at that age and there's not a single thing they can do, in fact its not even 'school' is it? It's preschool/playgroup! Take the holiday, politely inform the teacher you will be going and don't worry about it anymore.

[MeAndMy3LovelyBoys]

You are allowed to take your DD on as many holidays as you like. Compulsory education does not start until they are 5. So even when your DD starts reception you'll still be able to take her on holiday whenever you like until she's 5.

If you take her on holiday whilst she's in nursery, they will class it as unauthorised and the headteacher won't give you his "permission"- but there is absolutely nothing they can to do punish you for it. So go ahead and book that holiday

As for the "training us" comment.... pfffft!

[Eebahgum]

I'm responsible for attendance in a school (dons tin hat). It is unauthorised because your reason for removing your child isn't on the very strict list of reasons we can authorise time off school. It doesn't mean you can't take your child on holiday. You won't receive a fine.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Nursery isn't mandatory, though. Therefore I don't know how on earth they can enforce rules about term time holidays

[MeAndMy3LovelyBoys]

Ilive I suppose because the nursery class is part of the school they treat it the same re not "giving permission". Only difference is, they can't issue fines and certainly shouldn't send anyone knocking.

[DeadGood]

"Teacher says the headmaster is 'training us' for when our children start school proper."

Wow.

That isn't how it works FFS! Does she think parents can be 'trained' to enjoy paying double for holidays?

[roseteapot101]

take as many holidays as you can this is your last chance for cheap holidays before you have to go during school holidays.Around december/january the newspapers do deals for the summer months at haven parks go for it or book a nice spain holiday in june

they cant do anything if they try just say sorry but theres no legal requirement for nursery i will of course respect this when they attend school

[AndNowItsSeven]

MeandMy , it's not when they are five it's term after they are five.