Starting school at 4 years old

notanewuser

specialkthefirst wrote: »

Where I live they do? My son is 4 in March and will be starting primary school in September

But school is not compulsory for any child.

(You said "all children start school the September before they turn 5". That's not true anywhere, as its not school that's compulsory, it's education. )

Counting_Pennies_2

I have not had a chance to read the other replies.

My DD was 4 and 2 weeks old when she started school.

Much as she is the youngest in the school year, this will always be the case, regardless of when she started, as they have to be put into school in the class of their age group.

There are part time options and often schools enable you to defer. However, from personal experience I would say send her when the rest of her peers go. It will enable her to make friends, learn exactly what the others are learning. School really has been an enriching time for her.

The first week she went she staggered out of school shattered and straight into a pushchair. After a week of getting used to it she was absolutely fine. She ate a snack as soon as she came out and ran around the playground playing with her friends.

I would recommend finding out what your local school is and visit them for reassurance.

Is your child not in nursery or preschool, I am amazed you have got so far in her toddlerhood not to realise this was coming

Counting_Pennies_2

PS - in this country, education is mandatory from the age of 5. So the term they turn 5 they need to either be in school or having some form of home schooling that the local education authority approve of.

You can opt out of sending her until she turns 5, however, that means you will not have a school place guaranteed. After x amount of weeks of not attending school your place will be withdrawn and given to another child on the waiting list. So you take the risk of not having a good school to send your child to.

Personally, I did have a wobble when my DD was a baby and I looked into delaying her a year starting school, and in my research realised sending her to school along with the rest of the country was the way to go.

She has not looked back

specialkthefirst

notanewuser wrote: »

But school is not compulsory for any child.

(You said "all children start school the September before they turn 5". That's not true anywhere, as its not school that's compulsory, it's education. )

Ooh yes I get what you mean, I didn't think of it like that, home schooling etc?

notanewuser

specialkthefirst wrote: »

Ooh yes I get what you mean, I didn't think of it like that, home schooling etc?

Exactly.

notanewuser

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

PS - in this country, education is mandatory from the age of 5. So the term they turn 5 they need to either be in school or having some form of home schooling that the local education authority approve of.

I don't believe the LA have any rights whatsoever to approve or otherwise, but I'm happy to be corrected.

Counting_Pennies_2

Legalities of homeschooling in the UK
section 7 of the 1996
education act

And interpreted by Homeschooling UK

If however we fail to provide evidence or if the evidence we provide is such that it fails, (on

the balance of probability only) convince a reasonable person then the LEA may determine

that we are not providing a suitable education and issue a School Attendance Order.

shelby75

Counting Pennies is spot on. A parent can 'educate otherwise' if they so wish.

Duty of parents to secure education of children of compulsory school age
The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable—

(a)to his age, ability and aptitude, and

(b)to any special educational needs he may have,

either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

There are plenty of Home Ed groups out there which can advise on this.

LA's try to get involved under their responsibilities re safeguarding and welfare issue. Some parents are happy to have LA involvement, others are not. LA's do push their luck a bit sometimes though and often state things as fact when they are anything but. Always question them.

Air_Cooled_75

My LO was 3 at the end of June, he asks nearly everyday about going to 'big school'! I think he'll be ready for it but I would never have thought that a couple of years ago That said, I think the Scandinavians have something right going on...

Tigsteroonie

Our son started full-time school this September, despite only having turned 4 in mid-August and being the size of a 2-year-old

In theory we should have applied for a Reception class place last autumn to start this September, but he's got a Statement and has gone straight into specialist school. BUT despite them having organised both of these elements, I don't think our LEA realise he's started school - they've just written to us to insist that, because we didn't apply last year, we *must* apply for a Y1 place for him next September when he turns 5 :rotfl: