Deferral in NI

[Babybrain26]

We’re considering deferring our son’s start to preschool. He was 3 on the 30th of April, so wouldn’t be the youngest of the group but is still more like a 2 year old than 3 if that makes sense. We’re still potty training him at the moment but other than that there are no sen/developmental concerns. We’ve spoke to his nursery, our older sons play therapist and prospective preschool teacher and all have recommended him starting at target age rather than deferring him.

I still have my doubts though, possibly as I was young for year too and felt like I struggled at times compared to my peers. I am worried though if we do defer about the potential stigma, unfair advantage compared to his peers in that he could be up to 14 months older.

it only seems acceptable to defer when there is sen needs. I’m not sure what’s worse, keeping him target age and him potentially struggling to keep up with school work in the future or deferring him but him getting a hard time from peers for his age advantage (the intended primary school is quite academic so it honestly could well be a factor).

Hi,

In a similar position and looking at old threads, what did you end up doing? Are you happy with your decision?

My DD was ‘young’ for her year (April birthday) and we decided not to defer. It certainly did her no harm as she finished top of her class in primary school and secured a place at Methody.

It’s not a very common thing to do in NI and what would worry me is having a bigger age difference in secondary where both emotional and physical maturity show a lot more. In her tween/teen years it was always very clear who the deferred girls in DD’s year group were, they definitely stood out.

Personally I wouldn't bother deferring for an April birthday. My DD is mid April and fine, as are the other spring and early summer birthdays we know.

My youngest will be 5 early this July and thus will be the eldest in her class. I'm glad she'll be the oldest rather than the youngest but she is just so ready for school. It already feels like she's outgrown her nursery at times and she loves it there (and goes to a preschool as well so it's not like she's there all day). I think another couple of months older would be too much.