Is deferring the start of primary school worth doing?

[Whirliwig72]

Ds is 4 in Jan 13 and due to start primary reception in sept 13. He can however choose to stay on at his nursery until after Easter 2014 if we so choose. Logically this seems like a good idea - he's a very lively little boy and would currently find sitting down and listening for extended periods hard. He his however quite bright, already beginning to read and write. Am I at risk of holding him back and leaving him behind his peers by deferring? Are there any other issues I should consider? Thanks.

Have you visited the primary school to see what the reception is like? Very few of them will have extended sitting as they have to follow the same EYFS as the nursery.

there is the making friends thing to consider, joining a group 7 months in, being the New Boy

reception year (presuming england, apols if wrong assumption) is all about learning through play, masses of child led learning, much like nursery, hardly any sitting and listening for extended periods; prob the longest span would be assembly when heaps of the tinies fall asleep anyway bless 'em.

We had the chance to defer as DD is the 30th August. When we spoke to the school the y were happy for us to defer on an educational basis but they were worried that she would struggle to settle in to the class as all their friendships and bonds as a class would have been formed in those first weeks. We decided not to defer but to request part time hours only until January. I am amazed at how well they have all settled, even the more active boys have settled in well. Reception is not so much about sitting still and listening for long periods, it is very much about play.

You will also be amazed at how much your DS will change between now and next September.

My twins were due mid Sept but were born literally end Aug. They also had quite severe delays with speech and other issues. However they started with their peers. I was worried re the social aspect of deferring. They were fine, although one cried a while while settling, but never caught up till about year 2. I was relieved next one was not a summer born.

My DS started reception this Sept, friendships are already in development.

I would also ask the nursery who is likely to be left beyond Sept 13. The pre-school at my DS's old nursery saw all 4 year olds leave to go to school. If we'd opted for keeping him there he'd be surrounded by 3 year olds (and none of his friends) who moved up into that room when they all left.

It isn't just the "learning" that he'll miss, but all the behaviours/routines that they learn as part of school.

A small point but you'll be joining the school gates later too. The other mum's have been a source of info/support for me.

As a Jan baby he'll actually be one of the oldest. It sounds to me like he is bright. I would worry that missing 2 terms will slow him down.

If you are concerned, part-time might be the way to go?