to think that if DD2, aged 3.6yrs cannot wipe her own arse (successfully) yet and also does not know ANY letters of the alphabet and cannot write her name should not be starting school in 6 months fecking time?????????????????

[Oliveoil]

I have been all oh well it will be fine

well akkkkkkktually I do not think it will be fine

she is my little baby still

she does not want to stay at playgroup for lunch yet or do full days, how on EARTH is she expected to do a full day at school?

please tell me to get a grip

thank you

DD is around the same age and comes home from nursery with skidmarks most days... a bath generally sorts her out in that department!

I really wouldn't worry about the letters thing, I think its a symptom of competitive parenting that people think they should know this stuff. Obviously some pick it up before school, but some don't, and imo it is absolutely nothing to worry about.

Will she start school on half days? I know a lot of schools do this for reception, sometimes for as much as half a term.

Try not to worry (says she, worrying a bit herself )

i really feel for you, cos we're in scotland dd doesnt start school till she's 5 and a half, i could have put her at 4 and a half but i felt she wasnt ready and her nursery thought she wasnt ready, i still dont want her to start in august but i think thats just me, has nothing to do with her ability.

Oh and the bum wiping thing is a no hoper, i've tried everything, easier just to do it myself!

oh thank you all, I am usually ok but had a bit of a fret yesterday when she peed all over her tights at playgroup as she couldn't get them off in time and then thought about scholl and got worried

dd1 did one week of mornings and one week of afternoons then went in full time so I am assuming dd2 will do the same

we are emigrating to Australia this year (when our fecking visas come through ) and there they do not start officially until the year they turn 6.5yrs

so dd1 will not have to start until next Feb

and my ickle dd2 would not start until 2010 (or 2011 depending on cutoff dats)

far better imo

Tights are hard - you can stick to long socks and skirts - maybe get some practice in with that sort of emsemble

I mean we ALL pee in our tights occasionally

speak for yourself pissy pants

lol

she had to come home from playgroup in just her trainers as they did not have any spare socks or tights (must have been a run on) and dd2 told the wind off for making her legs cold on the way home

bless

off for some lardy lunch now, I will be back

blimey that's a shame

couldn't they dry them on a radiator? Could she take a bag with spares in?

At school they have a PE bag and I have put some spare clothes in there in case of accidents

although the children seem to think that the school 'spare clothes' are somehow 'cool'

Don't worry that's why you go to school - to learn alphabet, writing etc. IME the teachers are more than happy to get the credit for teaching them, rather than have them come in knowing it all.

The *rse wiping is another matter. Either you'll get skidmarks to wash, or she won't do poos at school. Then eventually she'll get the hang of it. Lots of boys NEVER get the hang of it.

I was allowed to keep my August-born boy in Nursery on the basis of a very sympthatetic nursery head and we were leaving the country to return to NZ -- and then he was allowed to go into reception instead of Y1 - on the basis we were then leaving the country. So you could try arguing on that basis.

Eventually, however, we had to change our plans and school head demanded he go into Y1. I kicked and screamed and threw my rattle out of the cot - the only thing I achieved was my son started pulling his hair out!!! .

It turns out he is quite happy to be in Y1 (although, really, what does he know at 5? I'm going to keep my dd home until she's at least 21.

My DD's 4th birthday was 9 days prior to starting school. She was Knackered for the first half term (and was only doing half days)
When she started full days it was too much for her at times, so I discussed with the school and brought her home after lunch 2 days a week.
She is the youngest in her class (and therefore the school) but loves the interaction with other and older kids.
TBH I dont think she would have progressed as much staying at home with me and starting when she was 5.
She can now write her na,e (after a fashion!!) knows 20 letters of the alphabet and chats continuously (This time last year her speech delay meant that she only spoke to me and noone else could understand her)

LOL at morningpaper's school having cool spare clothes. Must be a first.

Apart from wiping her bottom (which you could easily teach her between now and September) the whole point of going to school is to learn the other things.

DD can write her name and recognise the letters - although "l" is referred to as "just a line" and "i" as "the one the dot on". My nephew recognises "x" and "k" so that is going to put him way ahead when he starts reception. DD is quite keen to start school and practices putting on her own tights.

I don't think she does need to be able to write her name and know her letters before school - if she has shown no desire to try and learn. It is what she goes to school to do and she is still very young.

I wish the law was changed that you had to be 5 to start Reception.

My eldest started at just under 4 1/2 and that was soon enough.

My DD went at 4yr 1 month and ironically I worry less about her as she is very bright but am frustrated the teachers sticks so rigidly to the curriculum so DD can't move on.

DS2 will go next year when he is 4 and 3 months and it is crazy when I consider he is currently 2!!

Ds couldn't do any of those things and loves school. Absolutely loves it. I used to think he was shy. Not anymore.

Its amazing what they cope with if you give them the chance.

BTW I agree tights are hard. Wear trousers.

MP - re the tights, she had only just peed as I callled to collect her, they would have given her something (Bob the Builder pants prob) if it had been any earlier

dd2's birthday is August 27 so she couldn't be any younger really [sob]

OO, ds started school knowing only the letter A. It's the school's job to teach your dd the alphabet, especially if she starts at a very young 4.2...
as for the arse wiping ds is still not doing it reliably, but mine have never pooed at nursery or school, don't know why.
I have friends who managed to send their children part time for the first term in reception.