4 year old kinder - or 3 year old again? (VIC)

[*EJ*]

If you want to stretch him, why not try a kiddy class of some sort? There might be some sort of art, tumbling, music, sport, library story time - even a playgroup, family day care or regular meet up with other friends with kids, just to give him even more time experiencing different stuff.

That was my exact thoughts for myself... For when i heard the 'he'll get bored' comments i just figured i'm home and capable, if i have to i'll provide more. It's only a year and for me i am seeing it may only be this second half of the year that he's somewhat bored.

[Lenny]

Thanks Nelle. I really want to do swimming and we did one gym class too which was good. I find it tricky with DS2 in tow. I think i might try to get 3 hours of ODC for the little brother, so that i can feel like i really have time with the big one.
We do have a lot of variety with mother's group and ABA and ODC and one kinder session a week.

99% sure of keeping him home. I never worry he's bored at home - just thought he'd be bored (and possibly disruptive) at kinder. I'd miss him next year anyway, i think!

There is a good montessori kinder just behind Lloyd park here hun....it is not cheap but I have heard awsome reports about it.
Google Montessori childrens house langwarrin....

It's gone into liquidation, i think. There is still one linked to Karingal Primary though.

MadB - mum's a head teacher at a kindy in NZ. Bless her, she thinks her oldest grandchild is wonderful and totally gifted!!! Bias for sure.

[Junglemum]

Lenny- Dd1 goes to Montessori in Frankston. It's fantastic and she loves it. The one you're talking about will only take your kids if you commit to the full 3 year program. The one Dd goes to is more flexible. He certainly wouldn't be bored there but the other thing that turns people off is that the program is full days. Dd goes from 9-3.30 3 days a week. Pm me if you you want any more info.

I know everyone these days says keep your kids back but I think it really depends on the kid. I started at 4 and was 17 starting uni. I was always the smallest ( and perhaps feistiest) until about year 10 when I became 'average' .
I never ever struggled socially or academically. Even when my friends were 18 and i was 17 it really wasn't a big deal, in fact I think it has distinct advantages, like not being able to suddenly drive and go to the pub half way through year 12.

I know people say boys are different, less mature, but a close friend is a June baby and he too never struggled and finished with a great score. So I don't think it is a one rule fits all. I think it has a lot to do with personality, perhaps if I was shy and retiring things may have been different.

I'm not sure what I'll do with my march baby but I won't be holding her back if I think she is ready.

[BeautifulMadness]

my Ds1 who is 4 and half, is at kinder, is was at the start of dec 06, most of his kinder friends have turned five already but he is fine, very smart and is soo ready for school. Where as my DS2 is a may baby and misses out by a couple of weeks, so im keeping him home another year. so he will start in 2014.

its totally up to you weather you think you're children is ready for kinder or not.

[onthefly]

So is the 'cutoff' from May? It's July here.... I get so confused.
And when I was a kid everyone started year 1 the year they turned 6, so we all turned 17 in yr 12 (except the kid that got held back in yr 2 or whatever).

I think my mother is similarly biased so I do tend to discount her view slightly...

[Nelle]

Yeah I think May. Tis one of those 'mother (usually) knows best' issues really, although their childcare/kinder teachers are a great resource for deciding too obviously, getting to see your kids in a school-like situation.

I think the 'hold back' school of thought comes into play if you're really unsure, for a variety of developmental and social reasons - if in doubt, hold them back, because it's less likely to cause problems.

[Lenny]

I believe the 'official' cut off is 30 April.
I felt really good about my decision and knew my reasons and I was sure it was the right thing. I spent some time finding a great 3 year old kinder for DS1 for next year. Turns out i'm too late already. Their lists closed 30 June. Grrr.

[BeautifulMadness]

the cut off was june but now its may...its confusing...

dont forget they will starting 15 hr classes in a couple of years

[*EJ*]

Lenny, i was lucky to get DS1 into 3yr old this year, we were offered a place in Nov i think !! I can't remember the exact timing of when i put his form in but i think i was told i was 1 or 2 on the waiting list after the initial allowance of spaces.

With DS2 i put his form in when he turned 2 (the earliest i could do it) so hoping i should be fine for him in 2013.

I could be wrong here but i was also told that they will look at ages when deciding on intakes (the council) so being that DS was going to be older than some he 'should' be assured of a place before the younger ones and hopefully at my first preference.

After all that searching and coming to a happy/confident decision that's really frustrating that you can't get him in Lenny.

[Kmn]

Lenny - don't be too sad yet. Have you applied to be on the "list for when kids leave" at the kinder? My DSs 3yo kindy class has changed quite a bit over the course of the year as kids have moved away.
Quite a lot of creches also have accredited kindy programs too - they are worth a look.

[briggsy's girl]

I know everyone these days says keep your kids back but I think it really depends on the kid. I started at 4 and was 17 starting uni. I was always the smallest ( and perhaps feistiest) until about year 10 when I became 'average' .
I never ever struggled socially or academically. Even when my friends were 18 and i was 17 it really wasn't a big deal, in fact I think it has distinct advantages, like not being able to suddenly drive and go to the pub half way through year 12.

this was me too - some of my friends were 19 a month after finishing year 12, and i wasn't quite 17.5 - and honestly, i think i did better because i was younger! I had parents that didn't ride the "you're not 18, you can't do xyz" message home - they treated me as a young adult. i didn't have a car, i wasn't partying at the pub. i applied myself because i wanted to. i was allowed to go to the parties on weekends if i wanted to. i watched my "adult" friends write themselves off so often and it just didn't appeal.

i'm actually upset that DD has to wait until she is almost 4 before starting 3yo kinder. she is ready for that already (IMO - mum used to do FDC, so i've seen the developmental differences in kids for years) - I am thinking we will have to find a way to get her into a day care position of some sort at least one day a week soon, just to give her that mental stimulation that she needs.

as has been said, all kids are different - don't focus on the number with his age, focus on HIM - if you think he will benefit long term in being kept from kinder for a year, then do it. if you think he would be hindered by taking that step back, then don't repeat it kwim?

[sas85]

This thread has been a real eye-opener. I'm a little confused about the kinder programs in Victoria as they seem different from NSW pre-school arrangements.
But I've already started to wonder what I'll do with DD2 when it comes time to send her to school albeit a few years off yet. I envisage them only being a year apart, but discovered recently that I'll HAVE to start DD1 when she's not long turned 5 because she scrapes in turning 6 in the following school year being a December baby. So am now wondering if DD2 is ready if I should start her at 4.5 the following year. (June is the NSW cut off date 4.5 to the year they start 6 is I believe the rule of when they have to start Kindergarten). I'm taking on board all the comments though about starting them later if possible. I guess until now I'd never really thought of it that way, I started school at 4.5 had already started reading thanks to my mother and older brothers and was at the top of my grade the whole way through. Being a year younger certainly had its disadvantages when it came to my already natural suckiness at any physical activity, but honestly I think how you do in school academically and socially integrate is way to individual to have to do with blanket age. For me starting early gave me a distinct advantage over my peers when it came to finding a job - being a year younger and on a lower rate of pay for the same level was a + in my column for employers.

[Lenny]

dont forget they will starting 15 hr classes in a couple of years

That was one of my reasons. I know some 4 year old kinders doing 14/15 hours already in 2012 in preparation for 2013. I want to still do things with him next year like swimming and playdates etc - even the occasional long weekend holiday.

I know he would cope with 4 year old next year. But he's going to thrive in 2013.

Fingers crossed he gets a spot at that great 3 year old kinder - we are 7th on the wait list with a class size of 20.

(ETA thanks to everyone for your help. You truly have helped me make the decision AND helped me feel confident in it too)

[kelebek]

15 hr classes? is that only in Vic or NSW as well? I never realised that a school day was that long

[Lenny]

Yes, it seems long, doesn't it. DS1 currently is at 3 year old for 1 session and they sent home a newsletter which says 'four year old kinder will be a compulsory 15 hour contact time.'
They break it down differently at different centres but most i have seen are 3 x 5 hour sessions.

[kelebek]

I still think I am misunderstanding the 15 hr thing. That is over a couple of days? or 15 hrs in 1 day?

[Lenny]

No, over a week.

[onthefly]

Question - the cutoff here is 30 June, so DS would be among the youngest,, but there woudl be some younger. make a difference?
His room leader at daycare reckons he'd be ready to start now, so that's reassuring I guess