Page 20 | Why do we send children to school so young

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Mangofandangoo · 23/09/2021 19:24

Also 4 us under compulsory school age so you don't have to send her atall.

Magicalwoodlands · 23/09/2021 19:25

It seems like you just want to take her out one afternoon a week, though?

Usernamehell · 23/09/2021 19:32

In answer to your question - no the majority are happy with the system as it is. Those with Autumn/Winter babies are reporting they are more than ready for school by the time they start at 4.5years old. Those with Spring/Summer babies have the option to defer a year if they really want to. Everyone can homeschool if they have the time and resources to do so.

On the other side, childcare for children who are not yet school age is prohibitively expensive and often costs more than the mortgage. No compulsory school and expensive childcare would be detrimental to many families - both women's careers and those living in awful conditions where school is an escape and the positive in their life.

The mix is a pretty good one. The option of homeschooling has not been removed from you.

I have a child who has just started Reception - I do not see multiple sad faces at all when dropping off. Children are eager and excited to go in

Libelula21 · 23/09/2021 19:34

I’ve just moved from son from an 8am - 6pm nursery 3 days a week to a pre-school 4.5 days a week. He finishes 3.15pm on Mon - Thurs, and 12.30 on Friday (and is given a packed lunch to go). No one would bat an eyelid (I think!) if I took him out early some days, say after lunch one day… so for me this is perfect. I’m in Scotland, where the 30 hours provision comes in different formats, according to the school / nursery.

RobinPenguins · 23/09/2021 20:06

A few of the posts from those who are opposed to either school starting at 4/5 years old or 6 hours a day being too long (I’m not sure which because tbh they’re being used interchangeably despite being two different things) read as though they don’t like it because they miss their children. Which is fine and I suppose understandable but not quite the same thing as their child not being ready for reception.

As for choices now as part of a long term strategy? I’ve made choices now while my child is young which mean I’m still in a senior position with a high degree of choice about my working pattern. I have many female colleagues and friends who stepped right back when their children were young, but couldn’t continue that forever, and then when they needed to return to their careers or needed more flexibility, they couldn’t get it because they’d started back near the bottom in terms of seniority or reputation. Your children don’t need you less as they get older, the support they need is different and less likely to be able to be provided by paid childcare. I’m glad I’m keeping my career going now so that when my 7, 11, 15 year old needs me I’ll have the flexibility that comes with being in a more senior position behind me.

HarrisMcCoo · 23/09/2021 20:35

@MarshaBradyo

Scotland wants to head in this direction but a bit to go yet unfortunately...

I hope we don’t here. I prefer it to be as it is

I really hope that we follow extended kindergarten stage here which is early years ages 3 to 6 years. Lots of outdoor learning in all weathers. Play is child's work.

HarrisMcCoo · 23/09/2021 20:57

@dementedpixie

My secondary school in Scotland now does 4 longer days (8.55- 3.45) and a shorter day on a Friday (8.55 -12.30). There are optional activities you can stay for on Friday afternoon

This is common in Edinburgh. Unfortunately it isn't like that right across all regions.

dementedpixie · 23/09/2021 20:59

@HarrisMcCoo I'm in North Lanarkshire and the hours just changed when we went back to school in August

HarrisMcCoo · 23/09/2021 21:01

@Thesearmsofmine

I would love to see a more relaxed primary education, with formal learning starting at 7. That’s not to say children aren’t learning before that age because a decent educator can use play based learning to cover a huge variety of topics and stretch children who need that.

My children are home educated and play is a huge part of their day.

Definitely in favour of starting formal learning later too🙌

HarrisMcCoo · 23/09/2021 21:05

[quote dementedpixie]@HarrisMcCoo I'm in North Lanarkshire and the hours just changed when we went back to school in August[/quote]
That's great news for families. Having extra time on a Friday with loved ones makes a big difference to start of the weekend. Wish other local authorities would consider this 😩

PileOfBooks · 24/09/2021 03:50

I love the early finish friday idea.
My childs junior school (7-11year olds) is 8.15-3.10 already though M - F so longer than your "longer" days!

PileOfBooks · 24/09/2021 03:54

Libelula preschool funding works same in England.

I never used my full hours. With child 1 I did 4 mornings and had afternoons and a full day them. With child 2 I chose 2 full days and I think I added a 3rd day for the last term before school.

With child 1 the setting only went to 1.15 anyway. Other actual daycare offered much longer hours you could pay top ups too if you go over funded hours.

Natsku · 24/09/2021 07:52

@PileOfBooks

I love the early finish friday idea. My childs junior school (7-11year olds) is 8.15-3.10 already though M - F so longer than your "longer" days!

Wow that's a long day! My 10 year old still struggles with the two 6 hour days she does, I can't imagine how she would cope with a nearly 7 hour day at 7 years old. How much break time do they get?

PileOfBooks · 24/09/2021 07:54

They run around for 10mins when you drop off, I5mins break and an hour for lunch. It seems to work really well!

MarshaBradyo · 24/09/2021 07:56

My 10 year old still struggles with the two 6 hour days she does

That’s interesting. I think I have an energetic 3.5 year old. She can keep going after 6 hours playing in preschool.

PileOfBooks · 24/09/2021 07:58

Yes mine were the same! They did 9-3 at preschool and were full of beans.

MarshaBradyo · 24/09/2021 07:58

Although looking at pick up the children still seem quite bouncy and happy so maybe not unusual

MarshaBradyo · 24/09/2021 07:58

Pile yep!

SkinnyMirror · 24/09/2021 08:17

My 6 year old is still full of energy even on the days he goes to before and after school club.
Not all children find the school day interminably long or exhausting.

kirinm · 24/09/2021 08:20

@sandcastles1

Just that really - I'm feeling really disgruntled with our school system and why we make children go into full time education from the age of 4. My dc just started and is enjoying some of it and hating lots of it. She loved the first week when it was half days. For the past four years she has been either with me or her dad - we would take her out into the woods every day. Now she's cooped up in a small room/playground for the whole time. I could have home schooled her I know but didn't think that was the best thing socially. I can see the benefits of them going but 5 days a week 9-330 just seems harsh. Why couldn't it be three days. I know up until 5 we can take them out but just wondering how others feel as I'm missing my daughter a lot, she doesn't want to be there most of the time and I really now see the virtues of other countries that don't start full time until 7. Yes it means we can work, but why is that the norm? People that don't want to spend more time with their kids could find other care the rest of the time.

You're fortunate to not have needed to both work full time.

The benefit of having a child in childcare early does mean they are less likely to struggle once they get to school.

toomuchlaundry · 24/09/2021 08:58

DS when in YR used to play schools when he got home. Would teach his teddies reading and maths. He couldn’t get enough of it. He would have been very frustrated without going to school.

Although I have wondered whether a 2 streamed system for KS1 would work, so for children like DS a more formal approach and for children not quite ready for that a more play based approach, and then coming together either in Y2 or Y3. Not based on ability but learning style/readiness for formal learning.

The worry is that some children may never catch up, especially if they don’t have support from home.

Also many schools wouldn’t have the infrastructure to implement this.

Would be interesting to see if children would catch up with reading at the same speed children in other countries who learn reading later do.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 24/09/2021 09:01

toomuch I like the idea, but round my way it’d be interpreted as an option for the weaker kids I think. I see that it isn’t, but I think that’d be the perception.

toomuchlaundry · 24/09/2021 09:05

@TheWayTheLightFalls that would be an issue. And if it didn’t work well there would be some very disadvantaged children

aSofaNearYou · 24/09/2021 09:10

@toomuchlaundry

I think there would also be an issue with perceived unfairness amongst the children. There's already a huge amount of positive reinforcement for the kids who struggle more and imagining myself as a 4/5 year old in formal learning whilst other kids your age are running around playing all day... it wouldn't be a very good motivator. Then of course, when the students do merge together, they will be at very different levels to begin with, and that could include a lot of disruption for the kids that have already been in the "learning" school for a couple of years as the others get used to basics like being expected to sit down and listen.

I'm wary of the notion that those children would just catch up, but then I may be speaking from exposure to kids that are in Year 4 and still massively behind. I can't imagine that being better if they had started later. I think it would be different if half the kids could already read and the other couldn't, than if they were all starting on a level playing field.

Original poster

sandcastles1 · 24/09/2021 09:33

[quote dementedpixie]@HarrisMcCoo I'm in North Lanarkshire and the hours just changed when we went back to school in August[/quote]
As HarrisMcCoo said I wish other LAs would consider this. I found out yesterday that my DC's school is in fact considering this as an option - so I have my fingers and everything crossed.

OP posts: