Would you take your child out of school for a holiday?

[Nomorellama]

If they were in reception in the term they turn 5?

so for instance my child turns 5 in November and compulsory education would be from jan 25, would you take them out of school for a cheap holiday in the winter term?

im leaning towards yes but then I’m a bit worried about overall attendance if we need one or two days sickness or one of two days for a holiday either side of the half terms when they are in compulsory education

Personally I wouldn’t in the first term of reception as there is a lot of settling into new routines going on and the early phonics tends to move quite rapidly.

No.
It's possibly even more important to establish routines, relationships and friendships in EY than afterwards.
Children at that age tend to love being at school (see also numerous threads when people want to not send their child to school on the child's birthday when the child really wants to go because it's nice being special for the day etc) and feel they have missed out if they don't go.

Winter term is also full of lovely Christmas activities.

No.

No. It sends the wrong message to children that it’s ok to break the rules and school doesn’t matter.

I wouldn’t in reception but I would later on in primary school, say years 4/5.

Yes. Without a doubt. Depending on when in the term. September no. November, yes. I plan to do exactly the same thing. Maybe even two holidays.

People put waaaay too much emphasis on attendance. Enjoy the holiday.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 They are 4

Yes I would OP

We don’t celebrate Christmas so that’s no loss to me missing on Christmas activities.

dc also goes to the nursery school so has a lot of friends already? I do hope she loves It as she bleeping hates nursery school (uniform related)

No never - but I do take them out for holidays so am hypocritical on this.

If otherwise I couldnt afford it then yes as I think holidays are part of learning too

Hmm interesting, I was going on the ‘i can’t be fined’ rationale, whereas I’d think more seriously on it in y4/5

What’s 5 days winter term reception v a later date?

I wouldn't early on in any school year as there is still much settling in/routine changing etc for each new year. After easter hols then we do take our DD out for either a holiday or a few days for day trips,we just keep it under the 5 days so no fine, although i wouldn't really worry if we did as the holidays are still a lot cheaper/less busy so wrll worth it

Yes. We took our son out a week early for the October holidays the last 2 years when he was 9 and 10 (primary 5&6) and have done so in younger years. He won't be taken out this year though as he's up to the academy after summer.

I preferred not to but with a husband in merchant navy it was sometimes unavoidable. Always took work with us though.

Just because its cheaper... no.
If its the only opportunity for a holiday (leave dates, religious festival, one off event)... then yes.

Yes and will be. Much older than 4!

I have been taking DS out of school for the last 4 years or so. Can you do it later in the year? Not many places won't be warm unless you do long haul or some where like Egypt.

Maybe you can just miss a few days... I know school fines have made headlines this year! I am currently away and pulled DS out 3 days before this term.

Yes, I've taken mine out all through primary, sometimes for a full week but more often the day or 2 before a school holiday. We flew out to Turkey on Thursday night so they both missed Friday, yr5 and Yr 7

Yes absolutely. It's a myth that learning only happens in school. A week in Disneyland is probably not particularly educational but we have family in North America, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands so I would definitely take the DC out during term time to visit them and experience another culture, hear another language, try different foods etc. Not just because we can't afford to see them otherwise - and I think it's as important to know your family as to have a good education - but because I think travel is hugely educational.

I'm a primary school teacher - do it, it will be fine. Unless you think your child will really struggle with the transition into reception. I teach p1 (reception in NI) and plenlty of children have gone on holiday in the first term over the years and I don't recall any having any trouble settling back in afterwards. Probably more common here as families want to make the most of the cheaper flights and we don't have attendance fines here.

Yes. Unless they’re doing something crucial at school or are in exam year, I would absolutely take them out. Primary school they can absolutely be taken out for short periods.

Absolutely I would! There's more tk life than school and work.

The government would have you believe that's not the case but I believe in jumping out the rat race!

Dc did very much struggle going from EY to nursery school though, even though it’s the same site. To be fair to the school they are starting the reception transition now.

my motivation is seems like the last opportunity to do a ‘cheap holiday’

Hey I love Disney 😜

i went not too long ago and was surprised at actually how much educational stuff there was there for kids, especially at Epcot and animal kingdom, even the carousel of progress