Starting school at 4 years old

Lucyadams184

My son is a August baby and he's in year 2 now. I was really worried when he started school but he did really well. I think you get the option for the first term to send them part time depending on the school you choose.

Kids are stronger than we give them credit for. Maybe you could visit the school and see what options you have. Don't forget though it's almost another year off and your LO will change in that time.

notanewuser

specialkthefirst wrote: »

All children start full time primary school the September term before their 5th birthday

Apart from those that don't, yes.

couponqueen123

foolofbeans wrote: »

I just received a letter telling me to choose a school for my child to attend September 2014. Child was born beginning July 2010 so will only just have turned 4 :eek:
I thought school was not mandatory until after the child's fifth birthday but it doesn't mention it anywhere in the letter. I was going to consider part-schooling where child attends school but on a part-time basis.
Does anybody have any advice/ info on where I can find out more on the options available?

my dd was 3 on may 31st and started on june the 4th she started afternoons 1-3.20 till septermber now she goes 8.40 till 11.45 its called nursery then in september next year she be full time 8.40 till 3.20 :T:T same as her sister whos is 5 did;)

kids love school generally its just us mums n dads that worry

the way i looked at it was if i send her just after 3rd birthday then she will make friends and not be the "new "kid on her own also she would be used to going to school and leaving me (tbh iv never had any trouble with geting them in to school:rotfl:)

i live in wales and you can wait till your child is 5 here just contact your local council they deal with it i think they do here

some areas are doing a "pilot" where the kids go full time from 3 so 8.40 till 3.20 i have a friend whos daughter is in one of the schools and i wish my school was doing it to , as most kids get picked up from nursery by a childminder or day care center place and might as well be in school so mums n dads can earn a bit more;):eek:

would mean i could go back to work and not worry bout child care or pay for it :rotfl: as school is free and my mum and patners mum culd do after school between then for us :T:T (they both in the day too)

carolan78

I think it all depends on the child not their birthday, my DD is a Feb baby and was more than ready for school, my DS (a Dec baby) wasn't ready at all though. He settled in brilliantly to the social aspect of school but he's not been too great with the academic side of things.

onlyroz

Don't pre-schools and the reception class both follow the Early Years Foundation Stage? So from an academic stand-point it shouldn't matter whether a 4-year-old attends a pre-school or the reception class because they should be learning the same things.

However, I do think it's important for children to be given the opportunity as early as possible to integrate into a school environment. My daughter has just started reception and I think that she spends at least half the day playing, and only a few hours of more academic activities. I'm the opposite to the OP in that I had to battle to get the school to take her full time right from the start of term - they were extremely reluctant but in the end admitted that by law they have to offer a full-time place for all children who are 4 by the start of the school year.

bylromarha

Mum of 2 summer babies here.

Both were very ready for school.

Having taught reception you get sept borns who aren't ready for school and August borns who are. The play based environment caters well for all the littlest people I think. But it is your legal right to keep at home until start yr 1 if you so choose.

Good luck school hunting.

notanewuser

couponqueen123 wrote: »

i live in wales and you can wait till your child is 5 here just contact your local council they deal with it i think they do here

some areas are doing a "pilot" where the kids go full time from 3 so 8.40 till 3.20

In my area of Wales children have gone to full time nursery at 3 for about 40 years. Not so much a pilot.........

notanewuser

bylromarha wrote: »

But it is your legal right to keep at home until start yr 1 if you so choose.

(whispers) you can legally keep them at home after that too.

sassyblue

It depends on the child. DS was born 31st August so was four years and one week when he started school. It took him a while to settle in, not so bad at school but with me leaving him in the mornings, he was a clingy child though.

He's just turned 7 so in year 3, he's in the middle range of the class, he's bright but struggles a bit if that makes sense. I know if he went to school that year later he'd be way ahead like the elder ones in his class are, a year at their young age is a lot.

Having said all that l wouldn't have held him back because l,was anxious that he settled in and formed friendships with everyone else.

silvercar

bylromarha wrote: »

Having taught reception you get sept borns who aren't ready for school and August borns who are. The play based environment caters well for all the littlest people I think. But it is your legal right to keep at home until start yr 1 if you so choose.

Good luck school hunting.

Round here if you did that your place could be given away to someone who was prepared to use the place.