DS2 refused place at school 5 second walk away - Can I realistically home educate him while we sit on the waiting list?

[LadyOfTheFlowers]

My mum could look after my 2 younger kids while I spend time teaching him so I would have time.

We had to move house (repossession) and when we moved I applied for DS1 to go to the school 5 seconds away as we were walking 30 mins to his school. (Not always easy in all weathers with 4 under 6)
There was no room so he was refused.
Application time came round for DS2 so I applied for the school DS1 was at - was no good to apply for the 5 second school as they had no room for DS1.

In the meantime, DS1 has been given a place at 5 second school so I changed DS2s preferences, which then made DS2s application late.

Ds2 has now been refused 5 second school AND DS1s old school which he is familiar with, and has been offered a place at a school an hour or more walk away.

I don't want to accept this place as I can't be at 2 places at once, esecially 2 so far apart.

I can find the time, so how hard is it to home educate until a place (hopefully) comes up?
I guess I just return the slip saying I don't want the alternative school and state I will home ed him in the reason box?

You might be better asking this on the Home ed board. You don't have to tell them that you are going to home ed.

You do not necessarily have to "teach" DS2, so you do not need childcare for the other two (not suggesting that you don't do it - it can be good for other reasons, just saying that it is not a prerequisite). Many home-educating parents have several under-6s and do not need to segregate them at 4+. Reading, playing outside, craft, singing, cooking, LEGO, board games, etc. are educational. If he is starting to read himself, fine. If not, that's OK - it does not hurt to not try to push it.

Thanks for that. :)

I didn't think it would be too hard. I know from DS1s reception year it just seemed to be the same as preschool but with a little more structure and done in a school uniform.

I am going to appeal for him to go 5 second school and had a meeting with the head today who thinks I have a good case.

If my appeal is successful, it is. If not, I will keep him home and wait on the list.

Thanks again. Was just the reassurance I needed.