Taking DS out of school family holiday WWYD?

[Sleepregressionqueen]

Just about to book our family holiday unfortunately we have to go in September as otherwise it’s just to expensive. He has the same teacher and same people in his class so not much settling in really. He will be going into year1.

we either go at the start September 13th or the 27th. I said 27th to give him a bit of time
but OH says it’s probably best we go at the start as they probably won’t be learning many new things then.

WWYD?

My parents took us to Whitby for the first 2 weeks of every September all the way through primary. It never held me back and I didn’t miss anything major, I do however have cherished memories of family time in a beautiful seaside town. Priceless to me.

I’m a primary teacher - just go when you like. Things like chicken pox etc don’t think it’s Sept, I’d better not infect them. Sure, he’ll be out of whack with the routine etc but he has the whole year to sort that out. Just make sure you’re reading with him every night when he’s at school and he’ll be grand.

He's only in year 1 it will not matter at all. Not 1 bit. There is absolutely nothing he won't catch up on. He won't be 18 and saying how behind he was as he missed that week in year 1 (or 2 or 3 and so on). Go when you like and have an absolutely lovely time.

I also wouldn't do it. Like a pp said year 1 is completely different to reception. They start properly sitting in front of the teachers and there's not much play at all. We're going the last week of august.

Anyone saying otherwise is 100% jealous and bitter 😆

"DS attendance was 100% last year he is way ahead than the other kids his report was fantastic."
Out of interest, how do you know that he is "way ahead than the other kids?"
I often see this written on MN and in my 35 years of teaching I don't think I've ever come across a colleague who would have said this.

I wouldn't go then either. Primarily because he could end up pushed out of friendship groups if he isn't around at the start of term.

That summer break feels a lot longer to small children than it does to us.

I've always taken mine out for holidays (except one year I got a great deal for the last week of Aug), however always at the end of the school year - June or July. I wouldn't do it in September, just feels too disruptive. I would definitely go for the later date, or even better, the week before half term.

You think your 5 year old will know best??

@SherbertLemonDrop about what? Not being able to afford a holiday during any of the 13 weeks that children have off school each year? Doubt it.

Im all for term time holidays especially for families who struggle financially but September nope. I'd wait and book for October/November time x

As you said, you don't know anything about UK schools.

It's not kindergarten. It's school. And there won't be a huge amount of scissor cutting on a daily basis.

But only the OP knows where her DC stands educationally and socially and how detrimental it will be to take them out

To be honest, with the exception of exam age children, I’d do what I please. In fact I do. I don’t answer to my child’s school. I highly value education but will not accept the local council having more of a say in my child’s life than I do.

Sorry, I think it's selfish OP. Surely there somewhere you can manage to go during the 6 WEEKS summer holiday or the Oct half term instead? As a PP said, imagine if everyone decided to take Sept holidays because it was cheaper? Teachers would come in in early Sept to empty classes! Why do you think you are so special OP? No wonder the education system is in such a state when parents don't give a damn.

Asking DS as he will know best made me really laugh.

September is the only month I wouldn't take them out. (Year 1 teacher here)

" he is way ahead than the other kids..."

Of course he is. That's because he's special like you OP.

I don't think there will be much difference so I would pick whichever date suits you best.

I teach ks1 and I honestly would go for an extended October half term.

I once had a child miss the first two weeks of term due to a family holiday. It set him back so much. All the other children had learnt the routines, made friends and started the building blocks of learning. It's probably the most disruptive time to go for a very young child.

Depends if you fancy paying the fine. 60 quid per parent per day I think it is?

I wouldn't go in September.
I would take him out a few days before October half term.

Finally someone with a bit of common sense and a little less entitlement. No doubt we will get some story about why the holiday is sooooo necessary.
Speaking as a EY teacher tired of kids coming in when their parents feel like it all out of routine and bouncing off the walls when the rest of the class has got the hang of things.

Have a fab time! I'd go for the later week.

It will have no impact at all. Take them out. I’ve taken mine out for a months holiday tagged onto Christmas and Easter.
2 out of 3 great exam results to get to Uni, waiting for the 3rds. That’s taking them out of secondary and primary.
had kids join my ds’s class half way through year 3 with no English, totally up to date by the 2nd term.
mine aren’t academic either.

Many studies have shown that it definitely does have an impact . Attendance and attainment are linked.

This is for KS2 plus. I’ve not looked into it for younger years. We took ours out for a week when they were little as a one off for a family wedding overseas but I think it’s really irresponsible parenting to do it every year.

I would go for the 27th🙂 I wouldn't worry about taking him out. Enjoy your holiday