What age... (couple of questions, thanks!)

[ELF1981]

• do you take them for an eye test?

• do you HAVE to have sorted out a school placement?

Thanks! I'll probably think of another as soon as I click "create" but TIA

1. They will have an eye test at school, in reception. I think they used to do it as part of the preschool assessment by the HV but we dont't have them anymore. As I wear glasses I took DD when she was 5 - she was fine. They said to visit every couple of years just to check.

2. Child must start school in the term after they are 5. You normally apply for a place in the year before they would join Reeption. So DD started school Septemeber 2006, and we had to have our application form in for state schools around December 2005.

I only wondered about the eyes because mine are awful, I've worn glasses since I was about eight, and DH wears glasses too. He isn't as bad as me (mine are nearly -4) and he was concerned we should take her early.

Phew, not got to worry too much about school then - two years before I start panicking!! (which suits me as we're planning on moving and not sure where yet)

You can take them to the opticians very early if you are worried at all. They don't have to be able to recognise letters or anything like that.

• mine had a pre-school eye check at the doc's within the last school year.

• they don't have to start SCHOOL the term after they are 5, they have to be EDUCATED.

Thank you for your replies

One more - dentist!! Am I a bad mother as she hasn't been yet

(She's going to be two in Oct)

CS - by educated do you mean knowing numbers / alphabet / words before school starts etc?

DD went to the dentist from about 18 months. I was concerned as she had her bottom middle front teeth missing, so took her with me fromthen on.

DS - true. I was just referring to OP asking about school placements, rather than HEding type info.

EELF _ think CS means that your child doesn't have to attend school once he is 5. You have the choice to home educate your child instead.

I dont think I'm good enough to HE

Thank you for the replies

yes sorry, as Hula says, I read your post as not being sure if you wanted to choose school - but I was probably wrong.

DS2 had his 2 year check today and asked if I had any concerns about his eyesight. She wanted to know if anybody in the family wore glasses before age 5, so I guess they maybe follow up if there is a history of early eyesight problems?

I do cross my fingers she doesn't get my eyesight.