Audax, I have no issues aboutt him rolling in the dirt - except that's all he does and it isn't used as a springboard for something else. He just rolls in the dirt and that's it. The carers try to stop him doing it, but obviously don't try that hard. And I hate felt tips too - we have pencils and crayons at home, although I have ink pens and gel pens and biros and whatnot DS has pencils and crayons.

The reason I'm interested in his curriculum is when T was running the place and I took DS out for two months they asked me to keep an eye on him and write a report on his skills based on the curriculum. That's when I found it and realised it isn't very pushing, but at DS's age it is about preparing him for school. Great, I thought, my son is doing fine and has this level of stimulation. He doesn't even have that level of stimulation any more, isn't developing his skills there (normal skills, not anything odd: I have been encouraging him without the curriculum and know I'm not a trained carer who knows what to do - I haven't looked at this document for over a year. Boys typically fall behind on the curriculum by age 7: I am not happy that DS is going to be behind before he even gets to school. He is not stupid, he just doesn't get the stimulation.

I hate the fact I am being the middle-class pushy parent, but in this case I have to be. at least we are not at the point of predicting grades yet, but missing a year of schooling at DS's age can cost about two grades at 16. I have to research this stuff, which is why I am annoyed at this. Well, started being annoyed that they don't deal with DS and give me the nasty jobs, has ended up with his schooling being a problem. The curriculum was about learning, and is now about learning skills too. I like the fact he should be able to apply his love of learning to actual skills that will help him and when he goes to school he will be expected to do. He can't even draw a square, let alone a recognisable drawing. I'm not worried about writing, just that he can't make a picture at all, just a scribble. He should be able to start making letters now! Or at least be encouraged to. Ack! Enough from me.

Will let you know if he gets a place in the other centre later.