DS is 5 in March '11 - can he start school in September? (also wetting issues)

[ASecretLemonadeDrinker]

I always presumed he would be, but overheard one of the nursery staff telling a lady her DD wouldn't be starting until March as her birthday is after Christmas? Is this an option, or does he have to wait? Also, he is still touch and go with going to the toilet - I have no idea when he will be 100%, is this an issue at school? He wears pants and has never wet at nursery (TBH it's mainly in the evening) but obviously school is a full day. Thanks

A lot depends on your area. DD was 4 in February and started FT school after Easter. But different areas have different intakes. You don't have to send them to school until the term after they are 5.

As for the wetting, I wouldn't worry about it. For one thing there is still plenty of time. Also Reception teachers are quite used to it, some children in Year 1 still have accidents from time to time so it's nothing they haven't dealt with before. Just send some spare clothes in his bag if you are worried.

Thanks. DS is obsessed with school and I think would get on well starting in Sept. , and TBH if he is behind then it's kind of the best place for him if you see what I mean? Plus then he is not going into already made friendship groups etc. I didn't know if they were born later you had to wait to send them. Glad it's "ok" in reception to still have accidents, I still have memories of being stripped and changed infront of the whole class when I did it once

If you want him to start this Sept, you should have already applied for a place.

Oh, we have our place just got thrown when I overheard someone else saying their DD had got into XXXX school and the nursery worker said she would be going in March, even though it was this round of applications.

Phew - was worried for you there for a minute!

DS2 was always taken to the disabled toilets (more room and privacy) so that he could change himself, then the TA would pop the wet stuff in a carrier bag and give it to me discreetly at the end of the day.

When my DS left Infant school, they had a special assembly which the children wrote with a teacher about their memories of the school. There was a running joke about the carrier bags being sent home.
My DCs Infant school has a collection of spare clothes, that they ask parents to wash and return when needed. (And ask for regular supplies of new stock.) Lots of them get too busy to make it to the toilet on time.
I could never teach reception and have to say "You all need to go to the toilet before we go to..." over and over (at least 5 times for each playtime, or trip out).

Definitely check the position with the school, as in some areas younger do children start later & at the moment you can't change it.

This all changes from Sept 2011 when parents will be able to chose when in the school year children start & if it's f/t or p/t (up to compulsory school age of course), but unfortunately the new rules don't help this year...

Thankyou so much I have an August 21st DS too (only 20m at the mo.) so good to know about the new rules - part time sounds good Thanks again, alot off my mind esp. WRT the toilet issues

I would worry about it. When I was a child, there were a couple of girls and boys who were not fully toilet trained when they started and it followed them all the way through until 16 with nicknames etc. No, I would be very wary of sending a child to school who was not fully toilet trained.

3point14 - Thing is he may be 5 at still have accidents, I don't want to keep holding him back and still be 'no better off' IYSWIM? I think the peer pressure may help him though, as he never comes home wet from nursery. It's a shame I didn't get my first choice school though as the reception class 'shares' a room almost (just a big arch between so they are partially linked) with the nursery.

my own ds is august born and although was dry he had serious issues with poo's. He was still wearing a nappy at night and would poo into that (he is fine now!!). I was very concerned about this and voiced my concern on his teachers home visit. They were very reassuringly. One child in his class was still in pull-ups in reception (i only know this as i volunteered in the class and helped him change once - the other pupils AFAIK were not aware of this)

ASecretLemonadeDrinker it depends where you live and your LA policy. In my area all children regardless of birth date start school the September before their fifth birthday. It isn't unusual for children in reception not to be 100% and really it isn't a problem