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?

The OP has confirmed they are the child's grandparent. Why do you think they are not?

Go to the party, it’s just one day and she’s so young

A 90 year old doesn’t have much time left

It is unlikely given that the child is only 5

I'd defo go to the party. What a special occasion. Great opportunity for family photos and something for her to remember into the next century!

Guessing both older parents

granny has op at 40/45 and op has the child at 40 and now grandchild is 5 and granny 90 and op 40/45

Thanks all, food for thought... Although I still haven't decided what's the best thing to do 🙃

The date of the party can't be moved, unfortunately.

Finding the confusion of ages quite funny 😂

Roads i know its childs grandparents but someone asked if it was on mum or dad's side and I couldn't see whst difference that made.

Maybe just trying to work out the ages - if it’s on dad’s side might make more sense if it’s an older dad.

OP my DC missed a day of school in year 1 to attend DH’s grandma’s 90th. Admittedly not the first day but I didn’t even give it a second thought. Nothing much happens on the first day and settling in is a gradual process - definitely go to the party as it’s a once in a lifetime.

To be honest I don’t think I would miss first day of the new academic year.

It's not uncommon for a school term to commence on a Friday, especially the further up school chain a child travels. I work in a First school (Foundation to Year 4) and there's not a low attendance on the first day back! It's often a new teacher for the children, may be even different children in the class (depending on the size of the school), finding out where they're sitting, who will be next to them and finding their peg in the cloakroom etc. The jump from Reception/Foundation to Year 1, is significant, as the learning ramps up.

By all means speak to the school but if you decide to keep your daughter off school, the absence won't be authorised. You're not going to be in any trouble, it's a day. Schools have strict guidelines on authorised absences, and a family party, won't be reason enough to grant it.

Go to the party. Whatever the rest of the class has been told on Friday will have been forgotten by Monday so I very much doubt your DC will miss much at all.

I thought I was the only one saying this

everyone else seem to be miss the first day it’s fine

I have no issues missing school. Took mini blondes out in r&1&2 and paid fines of £60 for holidays but this was may time

but I do feel first day of new year is important as choose seats /make friends etc

When I was a Year 1 teacher, the first term (sometimes only to half term, sometimes all the way to Christmas) was taught Reception style. I didn’t allocate table spaces, etc., for a week or so, until I got a better handle on the kids.

A couple of DD's friends have grandparents in their 90's. They are 7 and have younger siblings. In both cases the parents are the youngest of 4-5 siblings and had their own children in their late 30's.

Well my 6 year old has an 80 year old grandparent, if she'd had me at the same age I'd had him she'd be well over 90.

This!

I’d go to the birthday. She’ll be fine