they want him to delay starting school

[howardbear]

my son has hyper-mobile ankles and has been seeing a physio since he was about 12months, has walked since 19months, continues to wear his boots and has physio visits about once every 2 months. his physical goals have always been slightly delayed but never so much that has caused any worry.

he started pre-school in april doing four mornings a week and is due to start full time in January, but when I picked him up from his session today the playleader stopped me and mentioned that he'd had a physio session at the school on Monday and then started saying she thinks it might be best to delay him starting school until the april, I was taken aback by this but said I didn't think it was a good idea and told her that I didn't think it was fair to hold him back because of his physical abilities because he's a really bright kid. she said she doesn't think he is development ready (needs to be able to put own coat on, get fully dressed/undressed, put on shoes etc) and that they could help him do these things in the extra time in pre-school. she also wanted someone to come and see him to check if he will need any special requirements before starting?!? but I will have to sign for this.

we had to cut the conversation short cos my ds2 started crying, but im really annoyed by this, I know plenty of kids who have started school and not been able to do the things she mentioned, why cant they start helping him do these things now? why are they singling out my ds? we've already told him he is starting big school in January and he's really looking forward to it, has anyone had any experience of this at all? how do I handle it from now on? i'm so upset, any advice would be gratefully received.

You may want to post in the special needs children topic as there are some very knowledgable posters in that section.

My instinct is to say that there needs to be more reasons than this to delay his start but obviously I may not have the full picture. I would recommend a meeting with the SENCO at the school he is due to start at so you can make sure his needs can be fully met and that they are fully in the know about your son's situation.

How old is he?

Is he joining reception in January?

Are you in England?

Assuming that he is four and in England, the LA is obliged to provide a full time reception place from the September after he turns four. You can defer it if you wish, but that is your choice and you cannot be compelled to.

What the preschool teacher is saying is rubbish anyway- a child with any kind of need who is unable to do all those things is still entitled to start school with their peers.

I wouldn't make a decision based on the opinion of a playleader - you need to talk to the physiotherapist and the school by the sounds of it.

The school should be preparing to meet his needs - I am a reception teacher, and if a child has SN (physical or otherwise) we have to plan how we meet them so that the child is not disadvantaged. We could not turn away a child becasue they couldn't dress or toilet themselves. (I spent a fair amount of time in the Autumn term doing this regardless of whether children have SN or not!)

thanks for the replies already!

he is 3, will be 4 in January, we are in wales, think it is slightly different here.

I didn't post this in special needs, because I don't really think of him as having any, that's probably why this has taken me by surprise. what's SENCO?

the playgroup is part of the school, don't know if that makes a difference? the physio did ask if id given any thought to delaying his school start time when I mentioned him getting tired after his playgroup sessions when I last saw her, I told her then that I didn't want to, but I think this is where its coming from now, starting to feel a bit bullied by it to be honest.

A SENCO is a Special Education Needs Co ordinator.

I would contact your local Parent Partnership. They give impartial advice to parents regarding education especially in relation to children with additional needs.

Your son is entitled to his reception place exactly the same as any other child and it is up to the school to provide for any additional needs he may have. If you feel that he is ready there is no reason as far as I can see why he shouldn't start with his peers.

I think the rules about compulsory school age are the same in Wales looking at this.

So he is not entitled to a full time place until September.

However, you may be able to argue that keeping him back whilst his peers move on is in contravention of the Equality Act 2010. Hopefully it won't come to this and you can politely insist that he moves up as planned, as you are sure that school can differentiate effectively and meet his needs.

SENCo is the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.

My ds has just started yr 1 and is hypermobile in most of his joints.....he walked at 23 months and was also late in physical development milestones. However, he has done everything eventually . He was a Sept baby so was neatly 5 going to school which I thought was great, not because of the hypermobility but because he was at home longer! My dd is a July baby and starts reception next week....she is also hypermobile in most of her joints and had special boots etc, same as ds. She will be 4 and a bit young starting. She can just about do her buttons etc (but certainly couldn't in January) . I guess Iam trying to say that there is no reason why hypermobility should hold him back ! Good luck!