Worried about 4yo being held back

[Ittakesavineyard]

Hi all. My DS started in reception at an independent school in September. He’s an august baby, had a speech delay, and generally just a very young 4 year old.

He has come on leaps and bounds, he’s having speech therapy at school, extra phonics support and has come out of his shell… but he’s still not quite there.

I’m really kicking myself for not speaking with school about holding him back a year before he started reception as I’m now paranoid they are going to keep him back to do reception again.

Does anyone have experience of this? He’s made lots of friends in his year group and I’m worried how he would feel being held back while is friends move up.

School hasn’t mentioned it to me, I just can’t stop thinking it as there’s a few in my daughters year that are actually a year older so it must be something they do.

With mentioning they assessed him and were happy to take him. So they can’t have been concerned at any point?

you are the paying customer, I doubt they would impose it on you without your consent

I didn't hold my July boy back - I'll be honest he took a while to get the hang of some things and I was a bit worried I had done the wrong thing. He's in year 3 now and he's smashing it- on or above target in everything and totally fine socially. It'll all even out, try not to worry.

What are you measuring there as. All children will develop at there own rate. Year r is very much an extension of pre school. I'm sure they would of raised concerns by now if they had and any

There's still two terms to go, I found my son developed leaps in the spring and summer terms. Give yourself a break, it all works out

It's extremely rare for a child to be held back a year in the UK. Especially if you as the parent don't want that

Thanks so much for the reassuring and level headed responses! 🙌

My dd was 4 starting school. She repeated her second year of school and was so much happier socially. Now almost finished primary and I have no regrets.

Please relax. It’s only January and the kid has plenty of time to make progress.
FWIW my friend was born on 28 August, is physically tiny and is now a renal consultant!