I still can't decide what to do for the best. :- (

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, I really can't decide what to do.
My daughter is due to start reception at the private school she's been in since she was 2. She has a severe speech disorder and so I don't think this school is going to be right for her primary education.
All the parents of children who have been in the juniours and have now left have all said the same. The nursery and reception are fantastic but from yr1 onwards if your child needs extra help then it's not the best option.
My daughter has a place at our local state school in January.
I'd love her to finnish the reception year and then change schools but this school won't hold a place open.
It seems a shame that she'll only be doing one term at her school in her new class and then leave (especially as I've just bought the uniform)
She is going to be accessed by the child development team starting in november.
I'm worried about her starting school in january, as she is very difficult to understand and therefore think she won't make friends easily. She's also still soiling herself regularly.
I'd really like to get these things under controll before she starts her new school.
The head of nursery thinks it would be a huge benefit for her to finnish reception, but is it worth losing a school place? the school isn't outstanding, but it seems nice and friendly. Would the head of nursey help me find a good school for her in yr 1?
There are several schools neerby that I'd send her to. Could I put her name on waiting lists untill a place became availabe?
I know she is doing so well at her school and she loves her new teacher.
My head tells me to take up her place in January, but my heart tells me to keep her there one more year.
I've been thinking about it so much and every time I think I've decided, I change my mind.

Thanks mumwhereareyou. I will definatly get her all the private help she needs.
She's also started Stagecoach which she loves. I think this will do her a world of good, as it'll boost her confidence and help her speech.
Her new school is an inclusive school and has quite a lot of SEN's children in it.
Funnily enough on the day we looked around the school, our daughter seemed to play far more with the children with SEN's.
I think the class will accept her as she is such a friendly lively charictor. She is very sensitive and emotional though as well.

I'm not really worried about the state primarys butmust admit, the state secondery options do worry me. I might concider K M out of all of them, although I've heard dodgy things about this school too.
I think I want to wrap her up in cotton wool. She has such a gorgeous nature, I don't want anything to change her.

True, I've heard two girls say to her "why do you talk funny?" to wich she cheerfully replied "I don't know".
I know it's only curiosity, but as she gets older these comments could really upset her. I should actually think of something she could say in reply.

I have read your threads and would strongly advise you to take up the state school place in January.

However if your DD is having speech problems insist that she is properly assessed now and don't worry if this leads to getting a statement. At my DSs school there is a child starting with speech difficulties who is going to have a TA working solely with him. Your DD may be eligible for this kind of support. If you don't demand the support now it is harder to get later on.

I don't think your DCs private school is giving the right advice to change at the end of reception..it sounds as though they are motivated by keeping their places full. One of my DCs is about to leave private nursery and the private school said if you are going to move to state it is better to do so at reception as later on friendships are more established etc.

Only stick with the private school if you are planning to stay for the long term and if they have good support for speech issues.

Also I would suggest that moving her into a slightly larger, mixed sex peer group could improve her chances of making friendships and feeling comfortable finding her level within a range of abilities.