dd off school again - has anyone ever been investigated by school

[emandjules]

My dd has had 9 days off since starting school in sept. once for stomach bugs, one ear infection and a bad viral infection. Today she vomited on walk to school, prob not a virus as she seems fine now. Has anyone been contacted by school re: attendance. She is not 5 til end of year so does she legally have to attend school anyway.

I imagine you are just being caught up in the wheels of bureacracy. They probably just have a standard procedure and are ignoring any mitigating factors, like her being under 5. 9 days is unusual, and probably this type of investigation does turn up a genuine family problem, sometimes. In your case, I would think just humour them if they want to investigate. Shrug your shoulders, carry on as normal, + let them run thru their procedures if they want to.

Hi, I didn't explain properly. I have not been investigated, just asking ppl if it is possible.

I wouldn't worry - my DD has had 2 weeks off since starting - one on a holiday and then she has been off with chicken pox, not before spreading it round the class! The schools are probably used to reception kids being off as they get used to being with all the other children (and therefore illneses) at school. I wouldn't worry - have word with her teach if you are worried at all.

emandjules - my dd's attendance is bad again this year so you have my sympathy. I also work in school chasing poor attenders so see both sides of the coin.

As your dd isn't yet of compulsory school age I'm sure there won't be a problem. The main thing to do is let the school know when she's off sick - basically keep them informed. If our children have very poor attendance due to genuine illness they are sometimes referred to the School Health service for help with any underlying problem. Reception children often have repeated illness though and they generally pick up after Christmas when they've built up some resistance to the many and varying bugs!

when i had my ds home visit from his school teacher she said that it is not compulsory to attend until 5 years. She also said that if they are "under the weather" or even just really tired to keep them off for a day or two to help them over come it.

Try not to worry - after all they would know that she has been genuenly (sorry cant spell) poorly especially after spreading the chicken pox !!!

Friend is primary school teacher and said that abused/neglected children usually present a large range of bad signs (simultaneously)... just being off ill a lot is not much of an alarm bell in itself.

I think as long as the absenses are authorized and you inform the school you won't be investigated.

My dd was off school a lot in Reception and Yr1 (30 days odd in Yr1) and there was no follow up.

As saggars says, as they get older theri immune system seems to cope better with all the viruses - dd has only had one day off so far.