Who else thinks only just four years old is just too young for full time for your child?

[DaddyCool]

His Birthday was the beginning of July. All he wants to do is play. I know that reception is fun through play but we've just returned from Canada and they don't start there children on full time until about 6 years old. They are part time for about two years from 4 to 6.

We hate the fact we have to throw him in full time school so early.

They won't delay him until January because they reckon he'll have problems making friends even though 27 out of the 30 children are already in the pre-school and have already made friends

We were under the impression that we could hold him back another year but apparently he would then skip reception altogether and go straight into first year.

Doesn't just four seem just too young to you?

Anyone kept there's back? Are there any alternative options?

expatinscotland

You know your child better then anyone else, and so it makes sense that a parent should have some say into when their child is ready for school.

I have 3 children and 2 of them did not start in the reception year, but started in year 1.

One was an august baby and was therefore given a place to start school the month after his 4th birthday. I felt he was too young, he was at a montessori nursery and loving it, they were happy for him to stay on for another year, so we just left him there. The school will not hold a place for a year so it was a risk in him having a place, but one that we were happy to take. Ds2 was 4 in April but was premature and took a very long time to catch up, and was no way ready to start that September. He was well over 5 and went into Yr 1. Remember, as the other posters have said, you do not need your child to start school until the term after their 5th birthday, and also worth noting that if they are not registered, you are entitled start school at any age PROVIDED you are giving them an education at home or otherwise than at school according to their age, ability and aptitude.

The 3rd child was 5 in the september and began in reception as usual. I was unaware that you could start them later as she was my eldest and I was a bit green about the laws, otherwise I would have left her until the January, but certainly have got braver with each child.

The precious early years pass so quickly, I wanted to make the most of the time I had with them before they began full time Ed.

Haven't read the whole thread so sorry if repeating...

(I have to hoover and clean before ds 2 wakes up!)

Ds 1 3.9 goes to nursery 9-3 4 days a week and has done since september last year. He is tired after nursery but that's because he gets up at 5.30-6am every day. He loves 'school' and loves learning. He has learned his initial letter of his name sound and is loving spoting it when we're out or reading books. He is now desperate to learn to read, asking 'what does that say?' all the time. For him going to nursery has really helped him, he's bright and needs stimulation. I am a tracher and did all the colouring, painting, cooking, dog walking, shopping but Mummy doesn't compare with Miss M from 'school' He fights me, he loves* her! {grin] He can't wait to go full time mon-fri.

You know your own child but there are some that are ready at 4.

Oh, and dh was a late aug birth and he excelled at school...you will always meet someone form the opposite side! My brothers' are March/May and they bombed academically but have amazing business brains adn are now very successful.

I am an Oct birth and are, of course, marvelous!

My dd's birthday is in the last week in Aug and she will be 4 this coming Aug. Like your school dc, there is not much flexibility on offer.

I worry about dd as she will be the youngest child in the school and she loves being babied and will live up to the role. On the otherhand, in many ways she is still a baby and being put into full time education seems absurd.

I could hold her back until Jan but ds started reception this year and I watched how quickly groups formed among the girls and, as dd can be shy, I would worry about her being left out.

Not sure there is a right answer under the current regime.

Thats great muppetgirl that your son is loving his time at nursery, and eager to go full time. I wish it had happened to me!

I am sure there are plenty of children who are more than ready to start at 4, I was just responding to the OP in agreeing that personally I feel that it was too early for my children.

GooseyLoosey, I understand and sympathise with your predicament about the worry of other children already in their little groups, which was always in the back of my mind, but they both settled and made friends quickly, as some of the children already in their classes had been to the same nursery. My problems only began when we later moved house and they changed schools mid primary, one of them found it very difficult to 'fit in' to his new peer group, and those issues remain with us to this very day, but thats going off thread and another great saga....!!

DS3 was 4 at the end of July, and we were adamant he wasn't ready for school- he has a developmental age around 2-3 which doesn't help (!), but neith3r did we want him to entirely miss reception year- so what we eventually worked out (and I must admit, we had to take on LEA and school but our school is unhelpful at best anyway) was to start him part time with afternoons at Christmas, after half term to do alternate mornings / afternoons, and full time after easter.

Now in actuality school are saying he needs more input from a 1-1 before he can go ft now but that shouldn't apply for your LO. I would say though trust your instinct on readiness- everyone bar DH argues with me over this and now the same everyone is either agreeing or saying he needs even more support! parents know their LO's the best.

expat

if your DD gets a statement (don't knopw if thats in the offing) you can have a part time placement written into that i found- might help you? Scotland obv. a bit different than Wales but worth considering i think.

I'm a WOHM. My DC had their early life with a nanny and then in a nursey. They had no problem settling into the nursery department of a school just before their third birthday.
Learning to mix with others and be independent from an early age has made them both well-adjusted and emotionally-intelligent people.