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Original poster

Taking child out of school for holiday - what would you do?

29 replies

Willow4987 · 16/05/2023 09:18

Hi

DS1 is 4, currently in reception

We’re taking him out of school for the last week of term to go on holiday. Our reasoning is, he’s under 5 so doesn’t have to be their legally and it’s reception so he’s not missing crucial weeks eg SATS etc

so my question is - would you be upfront about taking him out for holiday and accept any fine (and also who do you tell?) or would you say he’s sick for the week?

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Georgig · 16/05/2023 09:20

Just email them and tell them you're going on holiday. It'll go down as unauthorised absence but that's just for school stats, it wont make any difference to you. And if he's under 5 you won't be fined.

NewNovember · 16/05/2023 09:21

No fines you child isn't CSA as you know so just tell the truth.

FlounderingFruitcake · 16/05/2023 09:22

I’d probably be honest, saying he’s sick for an entire week last week of term is pretty obviously a lie and I’d email the office a week before.

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FriedEggChocolate · 16/05/2023 09:23

At our school they'd expect you to call in every day if you're declaring your DC as sick. No chance I'd be doing that, or getting chasing phone calls from the school on the days I didn't, whilst I was on holiday.

Only thing though, will your DC miss out on the days in the new class / getting to know their new teacher?

ComeTheFuckOnBridgett · 16/05/2023 09:23

I don't think you get fined until they HAVE to be at school. (I could be wrong though)

Booklover40 · 16/05/2023 09:24

Just tell the truth - I’ve done it several times and never had a fine. Just be apologetic and say it was the only week you could book due to work or something.

FusRoDah · 16/05/2023 09:24

I wouldn't say sick - they might want you to ring in every day or keep ringing you during the week to check on the illness.

If he's not compulsory school age then they can't fine you so I'd just be honest and say it's a holiday.

StillWantingADog · 16/05/2023 09:25

Tell the truth. There will be no issue.

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 16/05/2023 09:26

Just tell the truth, your school should have a process you have to follow for reporting absences.

lostat · 16/05/2023 09:26

Just tell them. It will be absolutely fine. But they may miss the transition visits into year 1 so that would worry me.

Bsmirched · 16/05/2023 09:26

FriedEggChocolate · 16/05/2023 09:23

At our school they'd expect you to call in every day if you're declaring your DC as sick. No chance I'd be doing that, or getting chasing phone calls from the school on the days I didn't, whilst I was on holiday.

Only thing though, will your DC miss out on the days in the new class / getting to know their new teacher?

I don't think you'll miss the time in a new class. Most schools time it with when the secondaries do theirs and they tend to be earlier in July.

bobby81 · 16/05/2023 09:27

Tell the truth. You don't want to put your DS in a position where he has to lie.

Original poster
Willow4987 · 16/05/2023 10:49

Thanks everyone! I’ll email the school

OP posts:
Kardelen · 22/03/2024 06:52

Willow4987 · 16/05/2023 10:49

Thanks everyone! I’ll email the school

Hi op,
was wondering what was the result if you don’t mind?
my child will be 3, wondering the same but thinking of going away in september

WarningOfGails · 22/03/2024 07:04

Kardelen · 22/03/2024 06:52

Hi op,
was wondering what was the result if you don’t mind?
my child will be 3, wondering the same but thinking of going away in september

Show quote history

If your child is 3 absolutely nothing will happen if you take them out of nursery for a holiday.

Kardelen · 22/03/2024 07:16

Thank you so much. He hasn’t even turned 3 yet but will this month so in the process of registering him. i spoke to the nursery manager regarding holidays but she didn’t seem happy.

it’s the only time I can get time off as I was on maternity leave and everyone has already taken the school holiday period. Also want to go for a few weeks.

if i tell her to reenrol him in mid October? Would that be an option do you think

Welshfiver · 22/03/2024 07:51

At our nursery you can take what holidays you like but still pay for those days - were you hoping to avoid paying for those weeks?

PotatoPudding · 22/03/2024 08:13

There’s no fine until they are compulsory school age (term after they turn 5).

abracadabra1980 · 22/03/2024 08:13

We did this several times, but to go skiing, up until GCSE's. It considered it a healthy and educational holiday. Both kids have left Uni with excellent results and preferred skiing to alcohol fuelled holidays with their age group (which was the method in my madness all along 😜).

Yeahilooked · 22/03/2024 08:15

We’ve just been away for a week to centre parks and took our 4 year old out of nursery and will be doing t the same for the last few days of term. The school were fine about it. I told them the truth

ElaineMBenes · 22/03/2024 08:20

Schools prefer it if you're honest.
It's also tough on the kids if you're asking them to lie.

Original poster
Willow4987 · 22/03/2024 09:09

@Kardelen school said it would go down as unauthorised absence and the local council could fine us. Which actually couldn’t have happened as he was under 5 at the time

for our nursery- we just take them out whenever we want and still pay for the days. You don’t unenroll them - just keep paying so they keep the space

OP posts:
sleekcat · 22/03/2024 09:25

I work in a reception class. Several children have had time off to go on holiday. Usually the children will talk about the holiday and the teacher will find out so I wouldn't lie.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 22/03/2024 09:29

abracadabra1980 · 22/03/2024 08:13

We did this several times, but to go skiing, up until GCSE's. It considered it a healthy and educational holiday. Both kids have left Uni with excellent results and preferred skiing to alcohol fuelled holidays with their age group (which was the method in my madness all along 😜).

If your DC have both left University they'll be 21/22+

Mine are 21 and 24 - back in those days the schools were more flexible about unauthorised leave , I cannot recall any mention of fines back then.

Different kettle of fish now !