Sorry its taken me a while to catch up! 
Lots of comments and apologies if I miss something.
I did ask what is exceptional because I always thought it was working about 4-5 years ahead in one area. However, since reading more on multiple intelligences and looking at what the education system view as exceptional there appears to be no standard??
I was a childminder and therefore had to provide lots of activities, however I do not attribute dd1 being bright to my care. She was able to sit almost unsupported by 4 weeks, could stand up at 10 weeks on her changing mat holding my hands which was inherent. At an early age she could solve problems and had deeper thinking than most 3 year olds. For example at age 3 she made toast without me realising she had got up, which was intended to be breakfast in bed for DH and I. I have no doubt that other children could do this, but for their own breakfast, not for the parents. She had used oven gloves taking into account safety and had buttered the toast on a plate to be tidy. Logistically she had organised everything she needed before climbing onto the work top.
We have had questioning about Gods existence, how santa gets to everyone in time etc when she was 3. I was told to slow down if she felt I was driving to fast for conditions from age 2 1/2. She could add and subtract in her head age 2 without pointing.
Obviously G & T is not abnormal however, nobody is normal!
I am ecstatic that she is settling in well at school and has lots of friends, has finally learned to share - her social skills were not the same as academic ability when she started. She preferred older children and was frustrated in pre-school. Now she gravitates to other very able children (new girl in the class is reading 2-3 years ahead and she and dd are really good friends atm ....but will probably change next week ).
I now know why I don't post much. Very much a thread where everyone tells everyone that their children have no special ability while elevating their own dc or dumbs them down to fit in.
It is truely sad that people make assumptions on parents being pushy or basking in their childs glory. I say very little these days because of these sorts of reactions. DD has been and still is withdrawn at times and this is a real worry. It has improved since she started school and we are fortunate to have an understanding teacher who at least acknowledges her high ability.
For those who say that having a head start academically and the better paid job at the end of it doesn't make you happy, I agree it isn't everything. However, life on income support is awful and money does help.
Obviously it is difficult to paint a true picture because too much info is deemed bragging and yet too little info and it makes the child sound nothing special. I might return once I get the balance right 