End August birthday - cope with reception

[Tattiespuds]

Hi, I'm moving to England soon and researching schools, which seems so different to home.

I have one child who's 4yo (January born) currently in a nursery, who once we're moved I'll be trying to get a late admission to reception class - don't actually know how likely that will be.

I also have a 2yo who's birthday is very end of August, the cut of for starting school being 1st Sept is making so worried and anxious about them being the very youngest in the class when they start next year. Especially since they have been a bit behind meeting milestones since baby.
2yo currently doesn't go anywhere but once moved will be trying to get into nursery.

Hi, welcome to England. Good luck with the move.

Im pretty you can delay their start date in reception with the school’s agreement.

My birthday is at the very end of August. I’m late 30s now but I do remember it being a concern for my mum when I was little. I didn’t mind though & did fine academically. I think it really varies on the child, although there are stats regarding younger kids falling behind, I’m not sure if this is just in the earlier years.

If your youngest is behind, look into the Facebook group "Flexible school admissions for summer borns".

Also see if you can get a preschool place for next year -usually only half days. You may be surprised, it may confirm your belief reception isnt right at just turned 4.

You can delay if you think its necessary.

A third of my daughters reception class were July and August born and they were fine. Its best to make sure they have confidence from mixing with other kids and basic skills like putting shoes on, changing for PE etc before they start to make it smoother for them I found.

My daughter is July born but had been nearly full time at nursery since 8 months old so she just breezed in on her first day. and asked me why I was hanging around the classroom making sure she was settled

Thanks for your replies, I read maybe incorrectly if I defer she'd go in the January or Easter which I can't help feel just would delay the same situation.
She was a few weeks early at birth so if arrived at due date she'd late sept birth, think I need to let go of that as it's causing so much worry.

I will be applying for preschool nursery as soon as we have new house sorted, same for reception on older child. Just a waiting game just now. And in the mean time I'm trying myself in knots over it

By defer, posters mean that it may be possible for her to go into the year below, and start reception when she has just turned 5 rather than just turned 4. I don't know a great deal about it as it's a relatively new thing in England, but from what I gather some education authorities are far more open to the idea than others. The 'Flexible admissions for summer borns' Facebook group linked above is a good source of information, and lots of posters on here will know a lot about it as well.

I think it depends on your child dd was a July baby and struggled with reception. I had to keep her part time till Christmas. She was a very shy and sensitive child and really found it difficult. Other more mature and social 4 year olds might cope better but if in doubt I would defer.

@Tattiespuds

Thanks for your replies, I read maybe incorrectly if I defer she'd go in the January or Easter which I can't help feel just would delay the same situation. She was a few weeks early at birth so if arrived at due date she'd late sept birth, think I need to let go of that as it's causing so much worry.

I will be applying for preschool nursery as soon as we have new house sorted, same for reception on older child. Just a waiting game just now. And in the mean time I'm trying myself in knots over it

You can do that, but you can also apply to start the September after they turn 5 for summer born kids.. Depending on where you live seems to affect how reluctant the council are to allow it. Look at the Facebook group mentioned.

Thanks all, I've been reading up and ive seen I can apply to delay start to the following year but then when I reapply it could be they go straight to year 1 and skip reception completely.

I feel so overwhelmed with it. It's making me regret moving.

@Tattiespuds

Thanks all, I've been reading up and ive seen I can apply to delay start to the following year but then when I reapply it could be they go straight to year 1 and skip reception completely.

I feel so overwhelmed with it. It's making me regret moving.

It really depends where you live. As previous posters have said, the summer born Facebook group is an an absolute wealth of knowledge. I'm very lucky. We are in Hertfordshire and it's an automatic yes here for most types of school. Other places take a bit more work but with a positive response so don't panic too much yet. Read everything in the announcements of that Facebook group.

OP, as pp say, it really depends on the child. Your 2yr old as a second child will no doubt be familiar with the school, have an older sibling who has already got through Reception- that makes a difference.

My DC have had friends (in different year groups) born on 30th / 31st August - 2nd & 3rd children & they've been more than fine.

I also had premature DC, you'd be amazed at how quickly they continue to catch up between 2 & 4.

They don't always have to go into year 1. Some counties allow them to start reception as normal.

If you think they would struggle then I would definitely pursue it, but don't forget, there is still quite a lot of time for things to change between now and school start. You're doing the right thing, doing your research and finding out all of the facts.

I've got 2 summer-borns (one is very end of august too). I decided not to defer and for us it's been fine but it was nice to know the option was there.