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Parenting

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Original poster

What age to start school 4 1/2 or 5 1/2?

5 replies

SephrinaX · 15/07/2021 20:02

My youngest son has his birthday mid January and I debating about when he should start primary school.

I'm based in Scotland so I think the cut of is end of February. So it's a debate between sending him at 4 and a half or 5 and a half.

I'm just looking for some opinions on those who started their children younger or those that started them older?

Would it be better to be among the oldest or the youngest in your year group?

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Findahouse21 · 15/07/2021 20:03

It will depend on your child, but mine was bored at nursery by 4 so I would send her younger.

HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 · 15/07/2021 20:05

My son will he starting school at 4 years 2 months. Personally, I think earlier than later but all kids are different.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 15/07/2021 20:05

Is he at nursery? I would ask their advice.
Ive got the impression that the vast majority of January borns are deferred in Scotland, and slightly older children too.

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Scotinoz · 15/07/2021 21:08

I think looking at the age he finishes school is a big one too. My birthday is January, so i was 17 when I finished school and went to university. English kids are even older when they hit uni. It’s a long time to only go to dodgy places you can get in underage!

Seriously though, a friend deferred her Jan born son and says it was definitely the right choice. Academically he would have been fine at 4, but he seemed more ‘ready’ at 5. Plus heading in secondary he would have been small and young looking compared to others, being that year older has made a positive difference.

mindutopia · 16/07/2021 10:46

My first started at 4.5 and second will too. Honestly, she would have been completely bored being stuck at nursery with toddlers still. She was very ready and actually the days weren’t long enough for her. She came home bursting with energy and bored she didn’t have something more organised to do in the afternoons. She’d been in nursery 9-5 before this though. I think it would have really held her back to not start until 5.5 as she wouldn’t have been with her friends for a year. Every child is different though. Unless there are delays or other concerns, I’d start him at 4.5 with other kids his age.

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