Hello,
my 4 year old is due to start (state) primary in north London this September and my partner and I were wondering if anyone has found any alternative options to the traditional 5 day a week model?
we don’t have much extra money, although she’s a late birthday so we would get her free 30 hours for much of the academic year. She can’t stay at her current nursery though and we don’t want her to defer a year so she’d need somewhere that allowed her to keep up academically.
I only work 2 days a week so in theory could home Ed her, although would need an option for the 2 days I work and enough that is social too.
I don’t want to hold her back, but hate how restrictive the UK education system is and 4 seems so young for 5 days…
if anyone has had similar thoughts I’d love to hear your experiences.
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Alternatives to 5 day a week school for a 4 year old
Firecrest19 · 05/04/2024 22:00
Rudolftheorange · 07/04/2024 00:09
An option is to send her part time until the term after she turns 5. You have a legal right to do this in any state school.
Depressedbarbie · 07/04/2024 00:25
As a reception teacher, I think attending reception only a couple of days a week could be really hard for her. The trouble is, so much content is covered in phonics especially, that she will find herself in lessons where she doesn't know all the sounds needed etc. And it could be incredibly demoralising for her and really put her off learning. I don't agree with the the way we have to do this by the way - if it were up to me, there wouldn't be this massive push on phonics on reception and there would be much less formality, but it's the system we have to live and work with. Just wanted to give you that perspective.
WhatWouldYouDo33 · 07/04/2024 08:34
@Firecrest19 our oldest is a summer born and was very tired child who still had naps. We started reception with her going mornings only, the head recommended she stay for lunch and lunch playtime for socialising. So she did 8.40 until 1pm every day then came home for a nap and playtime. Going every day is good for consistency IMO and making friends.
We did this until after Easter term and she went FT for final term until summer holidays. By then she realised she is the only one going home after lunch and wanted to stay too. And managed better with tiredness.
she is 10 now and academically exceeding so I have no regrets and definitely didn’t harm her.
Rycbar · 07/04/2024 11:23
This would be a much better scenario than missing days. A lot of the restrictive content is often taught in the mornings so she wouldn’t miss out on this and then get behind but she also has the benefit of part time!
WhatWouldYouDo33 · 07/04/2024 08:34
@Firecrest19 our oldest is a summer born and was very tired child who still had naps. We started reception with her going mornings only, the head recommended she stay for lunch and lunch playtime for socialising. So she did 8.40 until 1pm every day then came home for a nap and playtime. Going every day is good for consistency IMO and making friends.
We did this until after Easter term and she went FT for final term until summer holidays. By then she realised she is the only one going home after lunch and wanted to stay too. And managed better with tiredness.
she is 10 now and academically exceeding so I have no regrets and definitely didn’t harm her.
Firecrest19 · 07/04/2024 08:14
Thanks so much everyone, this is all really helpful, and food for thought. The schools we looked round were all really snooty about part time (I asked the question on the tours) but 3/4 days a week in reception would definitely be my first choice.
my partner works full time but has some flexibility. I’m a secondary teacher and only work 2 days a week atm. We’ve got a second, younger child who is part in nursery part at home. And we don’t have much financial flexibility to pay for extra childcare.
It’s just the young age and the 5 day a week issue that I have a problem with. She is great on 3 days of nursery but exhausted/ upset/ a bit out of control when it’s 4 or 5.
I love the idea of home schooling later on if either child looks like they might benefit from it, but we’d need a bit more money I think to do this properly as I’d want her to go somewhere regularly like a forest school to meet other children.
with part time reception, is it a case of pushing for part time once they start? Say not going in on a Friday for example? Can doctors notes for things like tiredness help?
Rudolftheorange · 07/04/2024 00:09
An option is to send her part time until the term after she turns 5. You have a legal right to do this in any state school.
Neurodiversitydoctor · 08/04/2024 06:47
Although you have this option I believe it was dropped as policy because children who attended part time did not progress as fast as thise going ft. She is also likely to be the only one with this type of arrangment.
Rudolftheorange · 07/04/2024 00:09
An option is to send her part time until the term after she turns 5. You have a legal right to do this in any state school.
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Sooooootired01 · 07/04/2024 00:13
@Rudolftheorange Absolutely this.
I'm a primary teacher and my eldest son didn't start full-time education until he was 5.
August born, nowhere near emotionally ready.
Didn't hold him back I don't think...17 now, applying for Oxbridge and predicated 4 A*s at A-Level.
IMHO the starting age for school is far too young in the UK. Look at other countries such as Denmark and Sweden to name a few...
Neurodiversitydoctor · 08/04/2024 06:47
Although you have this option I believe it was dropped as policy because children who attended part time did not progress as fast as thise going ft. She is also likely to be the only one with this type of arrangment.
Rudolftheorange · 07/04/2024 00:09
An option is to send her part time until the term after she turns 5. You have a legal right to do this in any state school.
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