Question re:under 5s, absence and EWOs.

[TotalChaos]

Apologies ladies if it's not the right section for this, as it's not strictly an HE question. But DS, 4, has had a lot of absence due to bugs etc from school, and I've started getting snotty letters from the EWO. My question is - since DS doesn't legally have to be in education yet - should the EWO system still apply?

Unfortunately, if your ds is registered at a school they will be on your case
If you deregister her officially (meaning you'd have to H.E) it becomes none of their business.
The Head must have been in touch with them though so I'd want to have a firm word with her in the first place.
I hate this interfering nonsense so I'm going to go and have a cuppa to calm down
It does also depend on which borough your in as some are more strict than others.
Did you get sick notes from GP for the time she's had off?

ehem..."you're" in...

Thanks for the reply, was hoping the fact he was under 5 would give me ammunition to tell them to bog off, but sadly it would appear not. I spoke to deputy head - she said that as long as I write in after each absence explaining the reason school will be happy. I've not bothered to get sick notes from the GP, hope it doesn't come to that. The school has had problems with overall attendance levels in recent years which doesn't help, I imagine the LEA is all over them like a rash...

I remember before my eldest was compulsory school age, we missed loads of time - whenever I wanted a day trip! The school just said that if we sent a note that would be OK as she was under school age. Mind you, it was about 7 years back now and they weren't under so much pressure from attendance targets.

I really can't see how you can be in trouble when he doesn't have to be in education yet, but obviously you can. This sort of thing makes me cross!!