Missing the first day of year 1

[Badoingy]

DD goes into year 1 in September. Term starts on a Friday. It's her grandma's 90th birthday party on that Friday so we're deciding whether to keep her off and start on the Monday, or skip the party...

I'd usually be fairly relaxed about missing one day of school for an important family occasion, plus I expect there will be low attendance that day anyway... On the other hand, I know that going onto year 1 is a big change, and having that first day with fewer kids in the class might really help her settle.

Wwyd?

Can she go in for the morning and then you pick her up before lunch? Might be a hassle but might be a good compromise.

Can’t they do the party on the Saturday??

why are you expecting low attendance on the first day of term??? I have quite afew friends who are teachers and they say the first day when they’re getting settled etc is really important.

Are you sure it's not an INSET day? I've never known a school to open an academic year on a Friday.

My son’s school does and its a pain in the ass, secondary though, however they spend the first day getting timetables etc sorted so all set for Monday so it makes sense.

Grandma lives the other end of the country so we'd have to travel up the day before. I should have made that clear - sorry!

Why do you think there’ll be low attendance that day?! I really doubt it.

Wednesday and Thursday are inset days! It's bonkers to start on a Friday IMO - I'm sure lots of parents will take the chance of slightly cheaper flights and return from holiday on the Sunday after..

The venue isn't available on the Saturday

I guess if Wednesday and Thursday are inset days people may well be on holiday that week then.
mid speak to the school,
will she be going from reception at the same school? If so I’m guessing established friends group as opposed to starting a completely new school?

*mid
I’d speak to the school

Yeah we'd definitely speak to the school (they might even authorise it I guess).

She's settled and happy there, yes.

If she is already happy and settled I’d email them and say she won’t be in and she’ll be there on Monday or just leave it - they won’t fine or take action for one day
I’d be enjoying the party 🎉

Ex year 1 teacher here. I really wouldn’t do this. It’s a big jump from reception to year 1 and there’ll be a lot of settling in activities on that Friday. You’ll be putting at a disadvantage by letting her miss that first day.
I presume it’s your grandmother not your DC’s?
Could she celebrate earlier in the week?

That is really odd for the school to take two INSET days and then start on a Friday.
Normally I'd say the first day is really important for little ones, but, like you I suspect there will be plenty of families taking advantage of a cheaper holiday and not getting back before the Monday.
In the circumstances, I'd travel to the party.

Thanks for sharing your view.

No, it's my daughter's grandmother. She has a very small direct family and doesn't see them often which is why I'm keen not to miss it. I do see your point though so I'm torn 😩

(sorry, I realise grandmother isn't direct, I meant "close family". Although she has a small direct family too)

Is it your mum or your mother in law? I’d send your daughter to school, with the parent whose in-law the party is for staying home with her, and the child of the to-be 90yo going to the party. If grandmother has booked the party for the first day of a school term she needs to understand her granddaughter can’t be there. If she really wants you all there, she can do Saturday in a different venue, or earlier in the week before school starts.

Go to the party.

I’m usually very anti term time holidays and days off for random reasons but children going back to school after Summer on a Friday is bonkers.

I highly doubt there will be low attendance that day. The first day of school is incredibly important, socially and emotionally, if not particularly academically. Starting on a Friday is actually a great opportunity for the whole class to bond in their new room, with their new teacher, after 6 weeks apart. If they miss that, they come back on the Monday to a group of peers who have already caught up with each other and know where all the basics such as their peg and tray are. Coming in not knowing that, after everyone else, could really affect her confidence. Plus she's likely to come in to a full literacy and maths lesson (which feel very different to Reception, where the whole class wouldn't have all been working at tables at the same time), rather than fun and games. The rest of the class may have art work up on the wall already from the Friday, and she will have missed that.

Personally I'd visit your Grandma the previous week, when she's actually off school. You can spend some lovely 1-1 time with her, rather than sharing her attention with everyone else at the party. Big family parties can be incredibly dull for 5 year olds anyway, especially if it's for an elderly person.

Obviously it's up to you, but Year 1 is such a massive jump for these young children. I'd really prioritize settling in, personally. Your family should understand why that's important.

honestly, go to the party
I am an ex teacher. I feel very strongly about term time holidays. But I alos think it has gone too far, and a 90 birthday and family event is an important occasion in the life of a child.
These things matter too, as well as good attendance.
Yes there will be settling in activities. But she is going up with her class, has friends, and it is one day. She will go in fresh with everyone on Monday.

I am willing to bet she won't be the only with as a Friday start is frankly a bit stupid. But even if she was the only one, it really won't make any difference. By the end of week one, no-one will remember. But she will remember the family party.
Ask the school, they may even say yes. (but i'd go anyway, even if they said no)

I’m an ex-infant teacher. I’d be a bit concerned if classes were mixed up (but even then, I wouldn’t worry much as on the first day of the mixed classes children tend to cluster with last year’s class), but if it’s the same class, I wouldn’t worry at all.

There are always a few kids missing for the first day, or even week, so just go.

This. Her grandma is 90. Missing 1 day in Year 1 will not damage her.

I’d normally hate to miss day 1 but 90th parties won’t happen very often and I’d prioritise that. It’ll likely be a lovely occasion and lots of family. Those things are important.

Missing the point, but I can’t quite make the maths work. How can grandma be 90 if the DG is 5?

It’s year one and a Friday just keep her off!