Child not being offered place in Reception

ZINXYX

Hi,
I was wondering if any one has had an experience like this and how he/she dealt with it.My daughter was born in Oct'05 and because of that she will not be offered a place in reception in Sept 09 because she will not be 4 but 3 yrs and 11months. She did not get a place in Nursery for this same reason.
I feel so frustrated with the system.What can i do? I have been teaching her at home; she counts numbers from 1-20, Alphabets,knows her shapes, colours and a fair bit more.
Any help will be much appreciated.
Thanks.

silvercar

The school year runs from 1 September to 31 August. An October baby will always be one of the oldest in the school year. Studies have shown that older children in the school year tend to perform better.

I would expect your child to be offered a reception place for September 2010. I'm guessing that this will happen and you are unhappy that the place wasn't offered for Sept '09. Enjoy the time you have, kids grow up far too quickly.

missjennipenni

People actually avoid having babies in August so that their child is not the youngest in the school year! Older children preform better, so let your DD enjoy another year at home & nursery having fun before sending her to school in 2010, when she will probably do well

tanith

It happens every year to children born after the cut off date , but they have to draw a line somewhere between the years. As previous poster says enjoy the time with your child and keep doing what you are doing... maybe a Mum & Toddlers group or Playgroup for a couple of times a week to get her intergrating with other children... Our local library has a story reading for toddlers which teachs them to sit still on a mat and listen to a story which will also help when they go to big school...

sooz

ZINXYX wrote: »

Hi,
I was wondering if any one has had an experience like this and how he/she dealt with it.My daughter was born in Oct'05 and because of that she will not be offered a place in reception in Sept 09 because she will not be 4 but 3 yrs and 11months. She did not get a place in Nursery for this same reason.
I feel so frustrated with the system.What can i do? I have been teaching her at home; she counts numbers from 1-20, Alphabets,knows her shapes, colours and a fair bit more.
Any help will be much appreciated.
Thanks.

She should get a place in nursery for sept 09 though. Make sure you put her name down for this, as you've been applying for the wrong year.

Newtonlot

My DD1 was born Oct 04. She managed to get a place in nursery the term after she was 3, so January term. She is now in her second year of nursery and will start reception in Sept 09.
I do not feel it has held her back in any way. In fact probably brought her on much more. She can spell, write, do sums etc. This is all through play or her asking questions.
HTH

ZINXYX

Thanks everybody for your encouraging replies.

viccig

My little boy is also in his 2nd year nursery as his birthday is in December, they let him start early when he had turned three.

Do contact your local nursery's and see about getting a place until next September, may be able to find a nursery that has some spare January placements for 2009. You can't teach at home the valuable skills your child will learn.

Good luck!

peachyprice

I really don't see a problem.
Believe me, it's far better for your child to be one of the eldest in the class than the youngest. My DD was born 31st July and is the youngest in her class, she is expected to work to the same level, and be as mature as children almost a year older than her, and TBH it's no fun being my DD sometimes.

Make the most of your daughters childhood, it will go far too quickly as it is, without you pusing it away.

Millie's_Mum

My DD's birthday is early October and I had the same thing but actually its brilliant because you get to keep them at home whilst they are a lovely age and you can actually have conversations and do 'real' things with them.

Also it means when they go to school they are so ready for it they really thrive. My DD was so looking forward to school it never occurred to her to be worried or scared about it, I know some July children who really found starting school difficult.

Will your DD be going to nursery with the children who she will go to school with? You can use this time to build friendships for your child and you which will last throughout, my DD is out for tea or we have someone here a couple of times a week which is great fun for her.

The other great thing about being the oldest in the year is that my DD has started swimming club and Rainbows before all the other kids in her year so she has had to make friends with children in the year above which also helps at school.

Honestly I felt the same as you when I realised she would be nearly 5 when she started school but i wouldn't have it any other way now.

lauren_1

You applying for the wrong years, she sould be starting nursery this year coming and school the year after 2010.