we will report your childs attendance to LA who will fine you? really?

[nailak]

if your child is under 5 and in reception, and school is not even compulsory for them, if their attendance is less then 80% in the first half term, which was full time from the off, with no settling period?

You seem angry and argumentative for a parent whose child has just started school, why don't you just have a chat with the teacher/head and ask them?

Without meaning to sound too blunt, you seem to be looking for an issue where none is likely to exist - communication from both sides is the key here unless there's some back story you haven't included.

hmm, well to be fair i dont think i said anywhere it was my child whose attendance was low, although i did say they made my child sign a homeschool agreement on the visit before she started.

i often ask things on these boards for other people, if you check my previous threads you will see in the past i have asked about transport for a friend who had to move away due to abusive situation, and also about SEN access,

this is as in the area i live most people have no idea what their rights and responsibilities are,

yesterday i saw a friend who has started college, she said she puts her child in college nursery in the morning then gives her pack lunch on the bus while on the way to the state nursery and drops her there for afternoon and then goes back to college,

when i asked her why she didnt leave the child in the college nursery full time, the answer was "because she has to go to nursery" she had no idea that state nursery was not compulsory. she didnt even believe me at first, she was like "noo who told you that, where did you hear that from"

so in consideration of these factors i feel a letter outlining all the things you said, highlighting the importance of regualr attendance and inviting the family to come and talk to the school family support worker if they were facing any issues, would be better then an empty threat of a fine.

OK, not sure I totally understand, are you saying that someone you know has had some kind of letter that they/you disagree with/don't understand?

I think it would be easier to help you if you'd just explain the situation fully and didn't mix up talking about someone else's child then switch to talking about your DD.

Anyway my point still stands - why doesn't whoever it is just speak to the school about it? If it isn't your child there's no guarantee that you're getting the full story.

the full story is their attendance has been bad and they were handed a letter by the class teacher saying what i stated in op, they asked me about this fine and i said i felt it wasnt applicable to under 5s and would check this out for them. they are planning to speak to school, but they would like to have their facts first.

My Ds is 4 and 4 months and only goes to school part time. Teachers are very happy for me to take him home after lunch as it is not compulsory for him to go until he is 5. I normally take him our 2 - 3 afternoons a week depending on how tired he is.

thank you indiastar that was helpful.

Although there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer all references to issuing fines refer to children in compulsory education (i.e. age 5 - 16) which would suggest that there is a strong case to say that it doesn't apply to under 5s.

My guess would be that this is just a case of the school complying with guidance its been given by the LA without fully realising that the child in question isn't yet 5.

Cock up rather than conspiracy - I'd suggest your friend just queries with the head if he/she is certain than under 5s are subject to fines and put the ball back in their court. Its probably not a good idea to go in all guns blazing when the child has many years left at the school.

It would be interesting to know if anyone has a definitive link for this.

Why not phone the LA and ask? You will then have a definitive answer.

Incognito, OTOH, needs to be aware that if she gets a reception place for her DS she will not be able to say, thanks, I'll send him in after Easter.
Unless the school is undersubscribed then if he doesn't turn up in September the place will be taken away and given to whoever's next on the waiting list. Most schools have some midyear turnover so he might get a place for the summer term, depending on how close you live to the school but you might not.
Effectively your choices are a) send your DC to the start of reception b) choose an undersubscribed school c) HE while you sit on the waiting list for a place.

you won't be breeching the law due to young age and school attendance not being compulsory. think whats best for the child? imagine mine will need to go part time for a couple of terms. they won't cope otherwise. i'm planning to let the teacher know week to week what our plans are.

may do a 3 or 4 day week or mornings only

Lulu - incognito can say exactly that! Parents now have the right to delay their childs entry to reception to the term after they turn 5. The school or LEA cannot withdraw a place becuase the parent deised littel Johnny will start reception at Easter and all the others start in September.

If he has a summer birthday however and she decides to delay his start till the following September i.e. he starts in year 1, the LEA will not keep open a place.

Oh I'm so sorry, am I out of date then? sorry incognito, last year's advice apparently.

Yes he'd have to start at Easter. You could delay till September and ask for a year 1 place, but there's no guarantee there'd be a space so a risky strategy.

you are allowed authorised absence for educational activities outside school? so incognito all that will be fine? even after 5?

If the absence is approved it's fine - otherwise it's not.

In order for it to be approved you'd have to talk to school.

Kids can go part time even after they're 5. It's called flexi-schooling. But it has to be approved by the HT.

And, of course, children do not have to go to school at all. From 5, they must be being educated but that does not have to be in school.