To ask for your experiences of deferring a reception plce

[cheshirecat777]

Just that really we have a DS who will be 4 on 30 Aug however he is prem and was due in October. He is not hugely prem born at nearly 35 wks and no lasting impacts from being prem.

we just do not know whether to defer or not we have been told we could if we wished by school & LA but have not formally actioned anything.

Any experiences of deferring or not late august/ summer born /prem children

Advice from nursery is that deferring is not in anyway essential for DS but could be beneficial potentially.

My DD was also prem April born but due in June and she has been fine.

Any teachers/parents got any experiences or wisdom to share

TIA

Would you be referring for a year, joining reception in 2022, or going straight into Yr 1 in 2022?

She would be able to go into reception year and stay in that (deferred) cohort for test of her schooling according to HT thats the rules now ( well in our LA)

sorry "rest" of her school life not test!!

My twins were prem (born in Aug and due at the end of Oct) They started Reception when they were 4 years and 2 weeks but only went part time until May the following year when they attended full time.
They weren't doing particularly well and it was very obvious that they were struggling.
However, they started Yr 1 in the Sept when they had just turned 5 but really couldnt cope with the work that was expected of them - the Headteacher suggested moving them back down to repeat their Reception year, which we did and it was the best thing we could have done for them as they coped much better - they went from being the youngest in one year to the oldest in their new year

It really depends on your child - some are ready, despite only being 4, others really aren't.

I never understood the whole deferring bit to then go straight into Yr 1 - they learn a hell of a lot in reception and meet all their friends so to miss this bit out always seemed bizarre!

CandyFloas thats interesting glad it worked out for you and your twins!

I would always defer a 4yo if possible.

Just confirming that if deferred DS would enter recption

I think if he were simply a summer born child who has been born at term that would be different. But he is v young and several weeks premature meaning if he had been born on his due date he would have been in yr below.

We deferred our son because he is August born with additional needs ( he had a severe speech disorder). Actually, we didn't technically defer, he joined a speech and language unit in year 1, but did 2 years there and returned to mainstream in year 2. He's now in the deferred year group and it's the best thing we could have done. He's so well placed with this peer group and with a bit of extra help, he's keeping up well. The Local Authority were deeply obstructive and blinded by their own bureaucratic nonsense, despite him having an a EHCP and this being our clear wish ( with the support of an EP). The school were highly supportive and I'm so glad we fought his corner.

Agree with @bestbrowsintown

thanks all really helpful to get other views