Parenting Forums

Posted: 21 May 2008 at 11:32am | IP Logged

Hi All

My little boy just turned 4 last week. He attends playschool 3 mornings a week.

Just filled in his enrolement form for september 2009, but admin sent me form for this year, I rang to say I was just being organised and opting for sending him when he will be 5 1/2 , but she informed me thats old, most start 4-5.

I think he is to young, he has no interest in learning to write, I sit with him often and we write his name, but he dosn't retain it, he is a bright playful, happy 4yr old who just wants to play.

What are you'r views on it?    

Elaine

Posted: 21 May 2008 at 12:57pm | IP Logged

My son is the second youngest in his class and he finds things difficult at times as some of the other kids are nearly 10 months older than him, he started school last september aged 4 and i think that this was bit young for him, but on the other hand dd is 3 in august and is starting nursery full time in the september as i think she needs to be mixing with others and learning from them now.

I think it depends on the child, if i had the choice ds would have started later, but dd would start earlier

Posted: 21 May 2008 at 1:16pm | IP Logged

If you'd have asked me a year ago, I'd have said I thought 4 was too young and I'd prefer to wait until they're 5! We moved to England from Scotland last May - dh in RAF - and Cameron turned 4 in June. It was just assumed that he would go to school, and we weren't very happy about it. Both my girls started school in Scotland, where they don't start until 5 and I felt it would be good for Cameron to have another year in pre-school before he had to 'grow up'! lol

In the end he started school last September, and I have to say it has been the best thing for him. He was already very into reading and writing before he went, but now he is coming on in leaps and bounds. He absolutely loves it - I can hardly think now that if we hadn't been posted down here, he'd still be in nursery school up the road.

Obviously, as mum2willNkimi said - it depends on the child too though.

xxx

Posted: 21 May 2008 at 2:26pm | IP Logged

I thought all children had to be in school by time they were 5, this meaning your son would have to start after Christmas holidays in the 2nd half of the year intake??

Joshua was in full time nursery when he was 14 months old. He was in private pre-school when he was 2 years old, and started his school pre-school when he was just 3 years, school nursery at 3yrs 4mths and by time he was 4 he was in full time mainstream school. This worked for Joshua. He was put into pre-school early because of the age gaps in the nursery I was using. The room should have been baby-2years but he was the only toddler they were all babies so they put him into the 2-3 room, so when they all went up to pre-school he was left on his own, and they agreed to let him go up with them. He wasnt forced to do the same activities writing etc, but he enjoyed them so he learnt to read and write with the older childre. This just set a presidence, hence he went straight to school once we moved here. He thrives at schools, loves the interaction and he loves learning.

It really does depend on the child when you think they are ready for school or nursery. I wanted to work so as a single parent nursery was my only option when he was 14 months, but from then on he just loved it and carried on xxx

Posted: 21 May 2008 at 6:19pm | IP Logged

   I am in the opposite situation to Angelica having moved from England to Scotland. My eldest 2 both started full time school at 4 but my youngest Harry will be 5 and 3 months as we are now in Scotland when he starts school. Personally I wish he could go earlier as school was a great thing for my older 2 and I feel as though he is going to miss out.

   Really it does depend on the child. If you feel that your child isn't ready then delay his entry. Have you spoken to the school and playschool about your concerns and what they will offer him if he stays on.

Posted: 21 May 2008 at 7:18pm | IP Logged

In most areas, children start school the September after their 4th birthday, and from what I have heard by the age of 5 by law they should be in school. 

Having said that I don't think my last 2 will ever be ready for school, but Fred will be at the school mornings from September, and then full time when he is about 4 1/2 yrs old

Posted: 21 May 2008 at 8:32pm | IP Logged

I was going to say I think the best age to start school is probably sometime in your 20's....

Both of my eldest started school at 4years 6months.  They did look very small going off to school in their uniforms the first time and they did feel really young but they settled in and the first year in reception is designed so that they can settle in, makes friends and get used to the day to day routine.  I think personally as most people start their children in school the year after their 4th birthday to not send my child then would make them feel insecure if they didn't start until year 1 instead of reception.  But that is just my personal view.  Ollie was 3 in March and he started going to pre-school 3 weeks ago and is loving it I didn't want him to attend nursery or pre-school before then and I am glad we waited because he has taken to it really well.  We have had no tears from day 1 he just marched in there very happy and confident.

Posted: 21 May 2008 at 8:42pm | IP Logged

As all of my children were born in June, July and August.. they all started the September they turned 4.
Harry (4) only just got accepted by a few days last year as the cut off date for that intake was the 28th July, and he was 4 on the 27th, so only just made it lol
I do feel that 4 isnt too young, it gives them much needed socialising and independance and by that age, mine were so inquisitive that it gave their minds something to do other than just being at home with me constantly!
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