Staggered start is illegal exclusion

[HapptobeTHATparent]

DD turns 5 on 2nd September. Just received her school starter paperwork and it's a staggered start, so won't actually start full time until 16th September. No home visits so no need for staggered start. 26 children already attend the school nursery full time.

AIBU to accuse the school of illegal exclusion by not allowing DD and the 25 others already attending school (nursery) full time (plus any new starters who wish to start full time straight away), to return to school on the 1st September like the rest of the school.

State maintained school (not academy).

Slightly tounge in cheek, but also hoping for some links to documents I can quote at the school.

Because a normal moaning thread about staggered starts would get minimal replies and I'm looking for some evidence it is an obligation so I have a starting point for a request. MN loves a bit of hyperbole! No point starting a thread without being a drama queen.

@jenandberrys Incredibly and unnecessary rude.

I get the whole "school isn't childcare" argument. But it is really isn't it. For the people who have to work we rely on it.

Sorry, but I have to agree on this one.
Speak politely to the school. Do teachers and schools not deserve respectful conversation? It seems that you think not.

Fab! Thank you. That's gives me a starting point. I was googling dfe documents etc. and couldn't find anything usable.

You really haven’t lived if that is your idea of incredibly rude. Lucky you!

There you go again.

It's not the way of the world. Lots of people are lovely and don't get a weird kick out of being horrible for no reason to strangers. It's just people like you. I think you must be very unhappy to spend your time calling people dim and being snarky when they've done nothing to you.

Yea it’s staggered starts.
No it’s not new.

Get over it and just do it, Jesus Christ.

OP hasn't said she's not going to be polite. You've all just assumed she's going to like barge in there all ranting and raving.

It will be new to each 1st time parent that gets to that stage

Well I don’t understand your need to virtue signal about how kind you are but it takes all sorts. No doubt you can go to bed happy that you ‘called out’ a big meanie on the internet. Well done you😊

And they have no family or friends ever that’s already had kids…

Come on… even before my kids started schools I knew it was a staggered start.

How do you suggest that every parent can "just do it"? Unless you have deep pockets and/or a network of friends and family for unpaid childcare, 2 weeks of half days is not workable.

But some children haven’t been to nursery full time & some haven’t been at all. I know sometimes these staggered starts can seem a bit drawn out but they’re putting the children first. Full days with lots of children and few adults can be extremely daunting for children, school is not at all like nursery. It’s not like they’re thinking lovely, half days I’ll put my feet up with a cuppa! Maybe speak to the old nursery to see if they can fill in the gaps if it’s really needed.

You’re right OP. Your child is entitled to attend school full time from the start of term. I insisted that dc3 did. The school made arrangements. There was another thread on this recently.

the summary is: you, as a parent, are entitled to choose on the basis of what you feel is best for your child.

you can choose for your child to attend full time from the start of the autumn term of reception.

you can choose to defer your child’s place until they are compulsory school age.

you can choose for them to attend part-time until they are compulsory school age.

that’s it. Others have provided links to the relevant documents but if you need it you can pm me and I will point you to the information you need, to take this up with the school.

Well they just have to make it work.
That’s not the schools problem.
They are not your child care.

@I suppose it depends who you mix with.

Why on earth are you searching for DFE documents before even speaking to the school? Way to go marking yourself out as ‘that parent’.

Speak to the school like a grown up.

Whatever school does I don't think it's going to be ideal for anyone.

My late August born DD had only been in nursery for the 15 pre school hours and I was a SAHM when she started school. She did two mornings then was full time by Wednesday.

It wasn't great.

We lived and managed not to threaten anyone or post about tongues in cheeks.

Staggered starts are really outdated. Most kids are in nursery or childcare these days.

I am a teacher. Just secondary biology and have no experience of reception admissions.

I had no intention of not having a respectful conversation. I have already stated I used a hyperbolic thread title to gain responses, but even if I was serious it's perfectly possible to make that claim respectfully. E.g.:

Dear Mr Headteacher,

I am writing to request a change in admission date for my child in September 2023. As she has been attending your school for the past 2 years in the EYFS provision, and is continuing her education in your EYFS provision in September, I believe refusing attendance for 2 weeks at the beginning of September is an illegal exclusion.

Yada yada yada...

You are coming across as a cowboy all guns blazing, why the dramatics just calming talk to the school

Not virtue signalling. Not sure why you think your opinion is genuine and worth sharing, whereas mine must surely be purely for brownie points and I shouldn't speak. Weird.

Anyway, I really hope you get over whatever it is that makes you behave like this. Because happy people don't behave the way you do.

Still wanging on about illegal exclusion I see. Oh well at least it will give them a laugh.