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when do they HAVE to go to school
hi some one told me that my son has to start school the term after his fourth birthday but i had been told it was term after 5th hes had a rough time of it he ws quite deaf until he had an op recently and he has alot of seperation anxiety i just dont think hes ready does anyone know 100% what age they have to start school???
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Replies
gemma
like nina c said see if he can start the school nursery to get used to going and make friends as ellie was in a different nursery and we moved her to the school nursery about 8 weeks before the end of term so she was used to it and she could make friends.
vikki xx
At my school, we are quite flexible and make provision for children who are not ready to start full time as soon as the others - I still have a little boy in my class now who only does 2 hours a day because that's all he can cope with. So I would say, visit the school and talk to the staff about things - they should be able to make a pattern of entry that will suit your child. Year R teachers and nursery/pre-school teachers all now follow the same curriculum and guidance (the Early Years Foundation Stage), so the first year of school shouldn't be all sitting at tables or anything, it should be very much practical, learning through play at your child's level and very similar to pre-school.
Hope this helps, sorry seem to have gone on a bit of a rant but it's definitely the term after your child's fifth birthday.
M x
I think it would cause problems for the child if they went straight in at Y1....esp with the amount of things my son's learnt already.
A lot of pre-schools here are incorporated into the reception class so its more familiar. Possibly in the same building although not the same class, sharing a playground and facilities. Pre-schools run rising 5's where they get used to sitting and learning and writing etc and trips to the reception class to join in with activities to get them more familiar with teachers and surroundings.
Is you little boy due to start this september? its still along way off and he may well be ready by the time he gets there.
One of the little girls had terrible time seperating from her mum at the pre-school i worked at but would be fine once her mum had gone and once she was at school was one of the ones that thrived the most.
Is it different for boys though? I heard that boys are less ready than girls for formal schooling and their entry should be defered. It does seem a shame that they start so young reading and writing and numbers and feeling pressured to succeed. but like manicmiz says the curriculum is a lot more orientated thru learning thru play when they initially start.
best of luck, let us know how you get on when the time comes!!
we went to see it the other day and the reception classes looked exactly like the nursery class he goes to now! and the kids were doing the same sort of things, some were painting, some drawing etc so i don't think there's too much pressure there. the teacher called it "play based learning"!
ollie's really excited about it, keeps asking to go to his big school!
one thing i am concerned about though is lunches. as he'll be full time from sept he'll be 4 and a half. he's so fussy, i can't imagine him going upto a counter, having to choose something and asking for a certain meal! he eats anything the nursery puts in front of him, things he won't eat at home, but i worry if he has to choose he won't be able to do it!! maybe i'm too over protective and don't have enough faith in him? think i'll be doing packed lunches then!!