Holidays In Reception

[HaNNaHC92]

My son turns 4 on Monday and will start in reception in September. As my two other children are younger than him we were hoping to get a holiday in next year before he turns 5 and school becomes a legal requirement. This will be in school term time, so I'm wondering if anyone knows can I take him out whilst still in reception without being fined, etc? Any advice appreciated. I'm in South Wales too if that makes a difference.

Technically you can though the school may record it as unauthorised absence. However, it’s not a good idea, particularly in the Autumn term as it can really disrupt a young child who is settling into school. So much happens in a week in terms of learning rules and routines and forming friendships. Definitely wouldn’t recommend it.

As a retired Reception teacher I'd agree with @Yellowmellow2. You can but I don't think you should.

I agree. Yes technically you can take him out until the term after he turns 5.
I really wouldn’t recommend it though. So much happens in reception that a missed week will make a difference. It might look like all they do is play but it really is so much more.

Not sure about Wales but in England, they cannot fine you until the term after your child turns 5 as they legally don’t need to be in education until then.

We are debating it, we’ve missed out on the big, final term time summer holiday we had booked this year 🙄 so we’ve moved it to next year & we’ll continue to mull it over.

I’m an ex reception teacher. Missing a week in June/July isn’t going to ruin your child’s life in anyway. Educationally, it’s one week in reception. They’ll catch up. If you are a pro-active parent, you can do plenty of reading practice on holiday & the odd bit of writing if you want too.

Friendships will still be there too & are very transient at that age as well. My DD has 3 best friends in pre-school - she’s missed multiple weeks over the last school year due to covid mostly & a couple holidays/visiting family etc.. they are still the best of friends, nothing has changed. I think children have had to get used to friends disappearing for a while with the pandemic, it’s now common to be out of school for periods of time 🥴

I wouldn’t do it anywhere near the start of a term personally & I’d be more cautious as they get older & work is more in-depth.

I asked the same question a few years ago. Got split views with people saying it wasn't a good idea, disruptive, etc. I took my DD out for 3 weeks and we had a fabulous road trip in the US. We still talk about it. It didn't affect her at all. She is now about to take her 11+. It never affected how she settled or her academic achievements so far.

On the fine, the school will put it down as an unauthorised absence but the LA can't fine you if the child is under 5.

I’m an ex reception teacher. Missing a week in June/July isn’t going to ruin your child’s life in anyway.
I would agree with this but I thought the OP was planning to take the holiday in September when routines and rules are established and friendships formed. June/July - do it. September - don't do it.

I don’t think the time of year the holiday will be is given.

I think a holiday is more valuable than a week at school at that age. It’s only one week.

Few people will tell you that you should, but you can.

Pesonally I think it's better for them to miss time in Reception than in any other year so this might be the only opportunity.

I can understand your dilemma.

Please don’t take them out in the first term, they really need this time to settle. A week in the summer term is less crucial but any week from school means they will miss something important.

Oooh fascinating. I have a July baby too. He will start reception about six weeks after turning four.

So I can take him out for a lovely late June holiday towards to end of reception when he'll still be four and not get fined?

I mean, I probably won't as I'm normally a stickler for rules, but it's tempting given the price rises during holidays. I'll keep it in mind

Firstly, school is not a legal requirement. Education is (otherwise not body could home educate.)

Secondly, rules in Wales are different to England with regards holidays. Most Local Authorities will authorise 10 days for holidays without fining. Only if there is an issue with attendance otherwise would they consider fining in most areas.

I’ve taken DD out of school for trips in almost every school year with the school’s blessing. DD started in the school nursery at 3 so already knew her classmates and the staff but I took her out in the spring term in Reception rather than autumn just in case. She finished primary school maths last November (she’s just finished yr 5) and is “exceeding expectations” in every subject.

The play based early years curriculum in Wales is more forgiving than the seemingly academic curriculum provided over the border.

Hope this helps.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond. In my OP I didn't state when I was looking at going so it seems some assumed now at the start of the term in September. If we did book, it wouldn't be until between April - June 2022.