To have kept him off school?

[tealover99]

DS started reception 3 weeks ago, full days, no staggered start.
He is exhausted. He was sent home earlier in the week for being a bit under the weather but he seemed fine the next morning so I sent him in.
I kept him off today because he just seems like he needs a good rest, he really does seem so tired.
He's getting a full 12 hours sleep at night, goes to bed at 7, out like a light.
Would you have done the same?

Yes if he's run down keep him off for the day. I would despair of our education system if an exhausted 4 year old can't stay home for a day without it being a huge deal.

Yes, I have done for my other three (it always felt like I was being naughty) I stood my ground and have decided to keep him off school one day a week. The head was not happy (to say the least) but it’s my right and it’s what I feel is best for him. We’ve had two weeks of four days now and he loves it. I’d love to do it with my older children but it becomes her discretion after 5 and you can imagine how that conversation went!

@FullOfJellyBeans well that's my worry tbh. Obviously I phoned to school to let them know he wasn't coming in, but I must admit, I was absolutely bricking it at the thought of telling them!
Schools don't seem to be putting the children's needs first, especially the really young ones, they just seem so obsessed with perfect attendance

Yes. I considered it myself thismorning but couldn't face a three day weekend with my grumpy 4 year old.

@Slippersandacuppa I applaud you!!
I absolutely agree, I think at such a young age it's too much. I wish they could just go in 3 or 4 days a week.

He won't even be compulsory school age at the moment. As long as you're a responsible parent and don't constantly take him out of school it's honestly not a problem. My Eldest was constantly off school in reception - he's on the younger end and was tired and constantly on the back foot picking up every cough and cold going. I usually found it better to just keep him off and rest up rather than forcing him in when he'd end up with a full blown bug.

@Racecardriver yes there's that as well

I honestly feel like I have no say since he started school.
Does anyone else feel like that?
This is my first experience of sending a child to school so I feel a bit out of my depth.
They keep sending newsletters home about how important attendance is and make a BIG point in their handbook about how it will be reported to LA if they're not there 24/7
(I'm exaggerating)

But I feel it's detrimental to his health atm (I know how I sound!)

Well done for keeping him off! I would have done the same.
I got chastised by other parents when I suggested full time was too much initially for some kids.

Oh absolutely you have done the right thing.
They don’t need to officially be in school until the term after their fifth birthday.
Please don’t sweat the small stuff. My Ds has just started reception too and he’s just only just turned four.
If he’s unwell, exhausted etc he’ll be staying at home with me.

@FullOfJellyBeans I hadn't even considered that! He's not 5 until November.

He was born prematurely, things seem to take it out of him quicker than other kids his age. I do wonder if schools actually care?

I wish they could just go in 3 or 4 days a week.

I agree. Unfortunately there are parents on the other side of the debate who think the school holidays are too long.

My LO just started reception too and is so so tired :( came out of school last Friday so pale, it's so draining for them poor little things.... I'm sat counting the minutes till I can pick them up then can have a nice 2 days of rest. It's awfully long when they aren't used to it, you did the right thing :) x

Your child isn't compulsory school age until the term after they turn 5. Even a september born child isn't compulsory school age until after Christmas. They don't have to be in school, if they are knackered them give them a day off to recover.

If it happens later in the year, just ring in sick for them - running a child into the ground will make them sick.

Thank you all for confirming I did the right thing.
I don't want to set a precedent where DS thinks he can have days off willy nilly but I think he needed it today.

But they can only go in three or four days a week. It’s totally up to you. Obviously, it would be a massive headache for the teacher if the whole class was all over the place so I made sure his teacher was okay with it. She was fab, I told her I’d cover whatever sounds she was doing on his mummy day (so he doesn’t fall behind...at four...ridiculous!) and that he’ll obviusly be there for any play rehearsals etc.

At every meeting we’ve been told how important attendance is. It doesn’t count before their five so the school is just using scare tactics. They have a special code that they use for under 5s.

Be strong! They are only little for such an short time...

Ahh! Sorry, they’re

I don’t mind and I’m a reception teacher :) it’s not nice for them (or the staff!) to be in if they are exhausted. They are still so little.