Holiday Request - Reception

[curiousmum32]

We want to take our 4 year old dd who has just started her reception to meet her ailing great grandmother and family in another country and have applied for a 4 week holiday. We couldnt go during the summer break because of my husbands surgery.
Can the school fine us or take any other action, she is not yet 5 so we thought this will be the last time we can take for such a long time out during term time.
Please share your experiences, I am really worried.
Thank you mums:)

I normally think it's a bad idea to take a moth holiday during term time, in later in school year. But what damage they can do for 4 year old? Their expectation for academics are minimum, and other things, you can easily do outside of school. Traveling, meeting relatives, exposed to different culture/languages is far more worthwhile imo.

Well no, the whole point of the trip is to meet the family in general. If she's badly ill and it was just her to meet they'd probably want to get the first flight out really.

Tbf to you OP you've come across as pretty sensible on here. I would ask for topics to be covered - the teacher may reply with an activity pack, or a content list (or not at all I suppose - though I can't see most doing that).

It sounds like the trip is for you not your child. I am not sure what the point of letting your daughter meet someone for the first time for them to pass away very soon thereafter....would that not lead to more distress? Sorry if it sounds harsh but is sounds like your child doesn't have a close relationship with her great grandmother that would justify 4 weeks off school.

Liadain, living far away means you need to meet them when we can.
I missed my dear grandma's funeral because I couldn't go there first flight out. I needed to deal with a child who has lots of needs. Cannot just drop everything and go. And you have to consider travel within the country too. My parents home is hours away from the airport.

Also, if you can spend 2k every year just for flight, I would happily do that. But I can't. So if I managed to save up and go, I wouldn't want to go there, and back in a week.

It's all very well quoting countries where children don't start school until they are six / seven / etc years old. The thing is, that this child has already started school here and will therefore be missing work whilst her peers will be moving on. I don't think it's fair to expect the teacher to prepare resources for the child to take away - teachers where I work are always refining their planning and looking for different resources based on how well the pupils have understood the work in the previous lesson.

Oh I don't disagree with her going at all Irvine. I mean it's not ideal but at that age it's manageable - wouldn't be so easy at an older age. I just disagree with three saying it's all for the great Gran.

I've simply taken op at her word, she says it's for gran I've accepted that and answered her question based on that.

Interesting, I've simply taken OP at her word too. Specifically the bit that says "to meet her ailing great grandmother and family in another country".

I've answered her question based on that, as I feel it's primarily a holiday to the home country and not an immediate bereavement. I feel we're arguing semantics here.

Can't believe people are actually arguing whether its ok she be taken to meet her own family in another country. WTF?

Anyone who thinks a 4 year old can't miss a few weeks of school is a twit. She'll never catch up on all the colouring in for sure but I think she'll survive

Thank you everyone for your kind comments. I was not seeking any advise but I take it on positively still.( except for someone saying 'Ailing not dead' that was pretty harsh.
Iv spoken to the school and they said they will neither fine or deregister my dd from their school as she is still 4 and not of a compulsory school going age.
Thanks again

Brilliant. Have fun x

Great to hear schools making sense! Unlike many others...

Have fun op! Hope dd has a lovely time meeting all her new family!