Would you take 5 year old out of school?

[Savador]

family are saying I am being unreasonable because I will not take DD out of school for a family holiday, I don’t want a fine and education is important to me. Please tell me I’m not the only one who feels this way?

Its a really bad idea. Phonics is a new sound every day. Its fast and children are expected to keep up. Illness is unavoidable but holidays are not. There is some kind of myth that nothing much happens in reception. Its one of the most intense busy years. Children come in unable to read or write and leave being able to do both. Those who chose to take time off (or are frequently absent for any reasons ) do not achieve to the same standard.
I have taught from age 4 to 13 and feel that taking them out at the very youngest ages is far more detrimental than mid primary. Although I would never ever say that was acceptable either.
.

@Purplepurse See I really disagree with this. A child that misses one week of reception isn’t going to miss something that means they don’t finish the year with the same knowledge they would have if they hadn’t. Yes phonics are taught in that way, but they won’t miss one and never learn it. They’re part of the daily routine for the whole year.

Also worth bearing in mind that since March 2020'we've been assured kids will catch up if they miss school due to Covid.

So a bit if time off now for a holiday - they will still catch up.

I see so many people suggest that the last week of Christmas and Summer are off timetable. I would say in most schools, with the now crammed curriculum, this is simply not true.

I ran assessments last week and taught the only lessons there will be this year on Volume and Temperature in Maths. I am not saying missing those days will scar any child for life (especially in reception) but please don't tell yourself there is no learning. No way could we get through everything if we cruised for two weeks every school year!

I have had difficult conversations with some parents recently, after reports went out, who have asked me why their child did not make expected standard in some subjects this year and it was mostly due to attendance. I can't mark as achieved something a child is not in class to achieve. These tended to be children who had been on holiday but then had also caught Covid plus another illness. Holidays are not a guarantee against other absence!

To the OP, for a reception child, if it were an extended family holiday that might not otherwise be able to happen, I would be tempted. Just have your eyes open to the fact that it should not become a habit. I disagree with wanton term time holidays but have taken my own children out for important family occasions (twice each across all their schooling years).

I took mine out for a week every year while they were in primary, usually the week before the summer hols started or the the week after the May half term.

No action was ever taken, no fine was ever given.

He's now going into year 10 with predicted grades to be 8s and 9s.

It is true that more able children find it easier to catch up... but OP likely won't know that yet at reception level.

I had one child this year who I moved heaven and earth to get interventions for as they were so behind and then they missed 6 out of 8 of them. I wished I'd picked another child who would have been actually there to benefit. 😥

I would absolutely take mine out at 5 and have done.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but I read (please double check this before relying on it!) that you can't get fined until the beginning of the term after the child's 5th birthday as school is not legally mandatory until then.