Holidays in term time

johannalf88

theoretica wrote: »

Interesting philosophy - at that age I learnt reading, writing, arithmetic extending to love of books and comfort with numbers. All great life skills, and as the foundations more important than nearly everything I learnt in junior school.

At that age I had already learnt to read and love books, as my parents had taught me. Although still struggling with the arithmetic some days! Algebra... :rotfl:

maman

johannalf88 wrote: »

I think it depends. At that age they are probably not going to be learning anything useful,

Based on that philosophy, then why send your child to school at all. Might it be the childcare?

theoretica wrote: »

Interesting philosophy - at that age I learnt reading, writing, arithmetic extending to love of books and comfort with numbers. All great life skills, and as the foundations more important than nearly everything I learnt in junior school.

Totally agree theoretica. I've never understood this attitude from so many parents that it's the 'big' school (i.e. secondary) that's most important. If the right foundations aren't laid and good habits learned a child is going to find it very hard to change at secondary school.

johannalf88 wrote: »

...and you may be able to teach them more depending on where you are taking them. Disneyland / butlins/ holiday parks, not a chance; however Morocco, Greece, France etc, anywhere with some culture or learning opportunities outside of a resort (i.e. Camping, family visits, languages etc) I would guess they would thrive on.

You're absolutely right these experiences are valuable but these rewarding places are available in the 13 weeks of school holidays too.


I believe a 4 year old is capable of understanding the double standards of parents insisting they go to school when they might not feel like it but taking them on holiday when all their friends are at school.

FBaby

My DD missed her first week of reception because I got my dates wrong and had booked us to go to Center Park instead I'm please to report that she got 9 A and A*s and 1 B at her GCSEs this year. She still remembers that week at Center Parks (especially when I drove the buggy off the road and she ended up -unhurt and laughing- in the ditch!). No need to say that I have no regrets at all!

peachyprice

maman wrote: »

I believe a 4 year old is capable of understanding the double standards of parents insisting they go to school when they might not feel like it but taking them on holiday when all their friends are at school.

Unless you TELL a 4 year old they're not even going to realise that all the other children aren't at school as well, 4 is much too young to know that school holidays are every 6 weeks. So unless some busy body makes a point of telling the child, that is below school age, that everybody else was at school while they were legally enjoying some time with their parent they're not going to even know.

It's the Nanny State gone mad when a parent is made to feel it's wrong to take a 4 year old child on holiday.

maman

So you don't think children talk at school and notice when their friends aren't there? So Janet asks John if he was poorly and John replies he was at Disney. Don't you think Janet might wonder why?
The fact that OP'S child is not legally school age at 4 is a bit of a red herring. It's hardly 'nanny state ' to have schooling for all.

Andypandyboy

I would do it and have done it, but not necessarily now. In the early days Reception kids are making friendship groups, I wouldn't interrupt that process. Later, I would make a judgement call and not listen to anyone else.

theoretica

peachyprice wrote: »

So unless some busy body makes a point of telling the child, that is below school age, that everybody else was at school while they were legally enjoying some time with their parent they're not going to even know.

Wouldn't the other children to talk about it when the child came back?

peachyprice

maman wrote: »

So you don't think children talk at school and notice when their friends aren't there? So Janet asks John if he was poorly and John replies he was at Disney. Don't you think Janet might wonder why?
The fact that OP'S child is not legally school age at 4 is a bit of a red herring. It's hardly 'nanny state ' to have schooling for all.

At the age of 4, in reception, no I don't believe for one minute the other children will question where a child is other than in passing. And so what if a child replies they are on holdiay, why would it matter at the age of 4? Do you think children at nursery shouldn't be taken out for holiday either? After all, won't the other nursery children ask here they are?

And it IS relevant that OP's child is below school age, OP doesn't need permission to take her child on holiday, not from the LA, not from the school and she certainly doesn't need the consent of other parents.

peachyprice

theoretica wrote: »

Wouldn't the other children to talk about it when the child came back?

At the age of 4, I doubt it very much, and what does it matter if they do, when OP has done nothing wrong?

harrys_nan

My daughter is taking her kids out of school next Autumn, we are going to Canada for a big family holiday.They are 8 and 4, so next year 9 and 5. She has permission from the school.
I have the start of COPD, my cousin has breast cancer so we are all meeting up, probably for the last time as we live here and she lives in Canada, and boy are we going to have a good time. My oldest (8) grandson actually loves school, so much he has asked if he can spend the day at school with my cousin's grandson who will be at school.