Starting a year early??

[treetrunkthighs]

I hadn't even considered this but a friend of my MIL works at the Infant School that DD2 will hopefully be starting at in September 2012. She is October born, so would be one of the oldest.

This friend of MIL has called her this morning to say that the school would take DD2 this September if we wanted to.

My heart says no, but I need to give it some thought I suppose.

Anyone done this?

DD1 already at the school so logistics would in fact be easier...a pro for DH's argument.

So we also already have to manage the holidays.

She does 7.30-1.30 at nursery at the moment, so already a six hour day.

I just can't seem to see me winning this argument.

I have emailed the LEA to see if it's even allowed. Hopefully not!

I dont think the logistical arrangements should be a factor in this discussion though (tempting through it is to get them both on the same schedule).

I am probably a bit biased because my sister was "put up a year" (she is a 1 September birthday). She was fine academically (middle ranking) but socially struggled very badly all through secondary school.

Why don't you just phone them, or the school to check? I expect the school think she's a year older and has speces in its upcoming reception class.

Ok, ignore my point then as I can see that it would make it easier with a DD already at school (for some reason I assumed it was your first DD )

I am in that position with DS1 at school and DS2 at nursery and it is a bloody nightmare having to do 2 drop-offs and 2 pick-ups....and there will be 3 school years between them so I have another 2 years of this so can see why it is an attractive option to get them both in the same place again

It does sound as though your MIL's friend believes that your dd is older than she is. I don't think reception classes can admit children before their 4th birthday.

There isn't an argument to win. Kids start school the academic year after they turn 4 in the UK. No great debate to be had.

One of my children has another class mate in this situation. The child, at 8 appears to be really struggling, academically and emotionally. I have often wondered why on earth the parents ever agreed to this step up, when the child could have been the oldest, most confident etc in the class rather than the one struggling. As a parent of two Autumn, older year children myself, I would say it's been a huge benefit for both to be the oldest, in terms of everything from pure academics to sporting activities. Don''t do it.

I really don't think I would do it if I were you for any reasons - DS1 is July-born so one of the youngest in his class and I really wouldn't want to send a child younger than he was to school - let them enjoy their childhood

My advice would be to ring the school and get them to say that your MIL's friend is wrong and then your DH can't argue against that can he?

Proper state nurseries are excellent and they're more focussed on nursery edcuation rather than childcare, and provide the first year of the foundation stage, which is continued into the Reception year. You should be able to find a childminder who can pick up or drop off for you. If the opportunity is there, I would take it.

Both me and DH started school a year early - both as a way of relieving dreadful behaviour diagnosed by an ed-psych as boredom.

We both struggled a bit socially, I was held back for a year when all my friends went to middle school, which actually made it worse.
DH felt awkward all through school.
There were never any problems with his age as he moved through the system and he started uni just before he turned 18.

Even though reception is strongly play based, it's a bit shift from nursery and if she's not ready for it you risk putting her off school.

I'd avoid it.

All my children started at 3 - but in the schools's nursery class. One of mine was 4 in the November but still started in the pre-school nursery. To go into Reception they have to be 4 before the start of September term.

In some schools they have mixed classes so I suppose as an older nursery child she may be going into a split nursery/reception class - they do that in our school - but still do the foundation phase work and quite often 'taught' separately.

Thank you all.

Sitting here with DD2, while she sups from her lidded cup, watching Dora and I plan an enforced afternoon nap for her I just can't see how anyone could think she is ready for formal school.

I'm feeling like maybe I won't lose after all

I thought if I posted here and a few came on saying, yeah we did that and it was the best thing we ever did, they haven't looked back etc etc then I'd have considered it as a possibility.

But not one person has said that.

Surely this can't be allowed? It would be unfair to other children (unless the school/lea had some kind of policy for early admissions).

Think your MIL needs to butt out, what have your decisions about education got to do with her?

Our local school mixes a nursery and reception class, with the 3yos doing a half-day, but admissions to reception and upwards are done via the normal process.

Is its very small small school with a foundation class rather than a reception class? I now of one small rural school that start kids part time in the foundation class once they are 4. There is no preschool in the village .

I did this - started school (proper school (reception year) - not nursery) at 3.
I know it was possible then (1970's).
I am a July baby so was almost two years younger than some of my classmates.

It is rare, but for some of us it is brilliant, like sinking into a warm bath, it is a fealing that you are exactly where you belong.

I accept my veiw is contorversial today.
My mum's view was that I simply out-grew nursery, could read write and sit with legs crossed therefore I should be at school....

Am now wondering what kind of message would be posted on this very innocuous thread that could warrant deletion

I wouldn't.

DS1 is July-born and I'm worried enough about him being so young in his year when he starts next September. He won't struggle academically, he is bright, but I think he will struggle socially.

ceebee - it was some spamming advert thing, it was on a few threads.

I wouldn't even bother wasting time considering it until you've heard it from the horse's mouth so to speak that she really could start in September.

Don't LEA's offer school places? Why would your 3 year old start early and not others from the same cohort in the area. i think its a booboo

They've just rejigged how reception works at my local primary. All children are allowed to start full time in the September of the school year they are 5 in. That would have meant my DS starting ft 14 days after his 4th bday. As it was he started 4 months after his 4th and even that was a a bit full on for him.

Children can not enter reception until the September after their 4th birthday.

Like Cazzybabs I have an autumn DS and a late summer DS and the latter has found school soooooo much easier as a result.

I think your mil has got the wrong end of the stick and is talking about a nursery/foundation place. There is no way that someone at the school (even the head) could get a three year old onto reception and bypass the lea admissions process.
If is true your dd will probably have to repeat a year somewhere down the line which will cause problem with friendships. I wouldn't do it.