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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

holiday during term time

37 replies

zigzagbetty · 21/06/2020 12:02

I've just rebooted our Haven holiday that was next week to september 20th 2021. All was fine until I realised out lg will be in reception then. Will we get fined and how will the school let her take it off.
Looked on the dfe website and it says the fines dont start until the term after she turns 5 which would be the January after we would be going. AIBU to keep the booking or should I pay the admin fee and move to half term, which is double the price?
I don't want my little girl to have a bad start to her school, or will it not really matter at that age?

OP posts:
Original poster
zigzagbetty · 21/06/2020 12:03

Oh! Rebooked I mean

OP posts:
Nquartz · 21/06/2020 12:05

Personally I wouldn't have a term time holiday in September due to settling in etc plus the added complication of a brand new school/teachers/classmates etc

tiredanddangerous · 21/06/2020 12:08

I think it’s a really bad idea to take a reception child out of school in the first few weeks. It’s their settling in period where they learn the routines and make friends etc and it would be hugely disruptive.

NothingIsGoing2GetBetterItsNot · 21/06/2020 12:10

Yeah I wouldn't either and I'm the most relaxed when it comes to term time holidays! Maybe after October half term? It's just a really crucial period those first few weeks imo 🤷‍♀️

heartsonacake · 21/06/2020 12:13

That settling in period in reception is really important; it wouldn’t do your daughter any good to be disrupted during that time.

You should move your holiday.

HeyBlaby · 21/06/2020 12:14

My 4 year old DS starts reception in September, I don't agree with fines for holidays (if taken within reason) and yes, they don't fine before 5 years old (he isn't5 until Feb) I have booked a 2 week holiday to coincide with October half term (end of October) so he only has one week out though. I wouldn't have booked for September just because it would be when he was still getting used to things.

Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear · 21/06/2020 12:17

I wouldn't take her out in September the year she starts Reception!

Original poster
zigzagbetty · 21/06/2020 12:51

That was what I was thinking too, cant believe I didn't click she would be in school then!
Oh well, will have to ring them on Monday and hope they can change it. Lost so much money already this year on holidays I was just hoping for a glimmer of hope it would be ok Blush

OP posts:
BendingSpoons · 21/06/2020 12:56

OP have the school given you any information on start dates? Some do a staggered start, so you might be able to move the holiday to earlier in September and she starts after. We managed that last year with DDs school nursery but can't this year as she is one of the first to start as she has already been at their nursery.

Original poster
zigzagbetty · 21/06/2020 13:45

We haven't even applied yet, its september 2021. She is an October baby though so will probably be one of the first in.

OP posts:
Appuskidu · 21/06/2020 13:48

Taking a child out of school for a holiday doesn’t bother me and I say that as a teacher who has done it (before the government started fining) but I wouldn’t do it in September-especially with a reception child.

ToothFairyNemesis · 21/06/2020 13:54

I would go, schools probably won’t even be full time anyway.

ineedaholidaynow · 21/06/2020 13:58

It's 2021 not 2020, hopefully back to normal then!

ToothFairyNemesis · 21/06/2020 13:59

Ah didn’t read the dare. Would still go personally.

ToothFairyNemesis · 21/06/2020 13:59

*date

Daisyhut · 21/06/2020 14:00

The school cannot fine you but they don’t have to keep your child’s place at the school if she doesn’t attend.

Appuskidu · 21/06/2020 14:03

They won’t off-roll a pupil just because they miss a week of school.

vanillandhoney · 21/06/2020 14:03

I have no issues with holidays in term time, but I wouldn't take a reception-aged child out within the first few weeks. They do a lot of settling in during that time and I think deliberately taking her out for a week isn't fair on her.

I'm sure the company will let you change it given it's over a year away though, so try not to worry! :)

JaniceWebster · 21/06/2020 14:21

I wouldn't either for the reasons above.

With all the schooling older ones are missing, I wouldn't plan to take any child during term time anytime soon either.

BendingSpoons · 21/06/2020 14:32

Whoops I misread your date. Hopefully you can reschedule it for a time that works for you.

Davincitoad · 21/06/2020 17:33

Given all the criticism about schools being closed I can’t actually believe people are happy for term time holidays to happen

So it’s ok to miss education on your terms?

ToothFairyNemesis · 21/06/2020 17:54

I don’t have an issue with my dc not being at school currently.

AllTheUserNamesAreTaken · 21/06/2020 17:58

Don’t be ridiculous Davincitoada week and 5.5 months are hardly comparable!

I’ve not done it but I don’t think a week out of school in reception is really a problem but I wouldn’t do it so soon after she has started. It might be a bit unsettling for her

simonisnotme · 21/06/2020 18:28

the first weeks of school are important, why miss them for the sake of a holiday

JaniceWebster · 21/06/2020 18:51

So it’s ok to miss education on your terms?

in normal circumstances, absolutely, you can easily catch up the couple of weeks you are missing.

After months of disruption and home schooling, absolutely not.