Would you apply if it were your son?

If it's only 3 days a week it's kinder (or how I understand kinder) and I would send him. Especially if his carers agree he is ready in all ways. It's not just about a child being bright. I went to big school when I was only 4.5, the academic side wasn't a problem but the social side you could see differences. There was one other girl same age as me and we were bestest buddies. It's not like we were singled out or felt different - we were still laughing at poo jokes and couldn't sit still...

I'm a fan of holding them over till later (for big school, uniforms, 5 days a week).

I am so confused !

Perhaps test and see how you feel in January?

not much help, am I ?

Hmmm tough one, but if you think you're son is old enough to cope with it. Its up to you, it could be a good way to see where he is at.

Dunno what state you live in but gosh. Isnt he a tad young to start school at 4?

Gosh my son will b 4 dec 8th....our kinder cut off is u have to b 4 the year you attend.(in vic) Where as my yougest he was born may 18th they start may 1st....and go by dob...so he was smart lol

An school you have to be 5 by june 30th aswell.

my opinion it cant hurt, but i wouldn't send my son to school next yr lol

BM - its not big school, its like 4 year old kinder in other states, but we don't have that here.

Anyway its all up in the air now, cos we could be moving back to Qld, and if we do, then he'll start kindy up there anyway!

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Arimeh, that is what bugs me - there is no national standard for education. They are currently drafting a national curriculum which all schools in every state will have to follow, but I don't know if that means that they are going to bring the entire system into line so every state is either kinder/prep or preschool/kindergarten.

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One of my pet peeves too Trill!! Especially now when people do move states frequently. When DH was in the Army we moved to NT and DD1 had to learn a new writing style and came back to NSW behind because their curric is behind NSW.
If its only preschool that would be fine but then would he be really young for real school too??

Arimeh, how did you get on with this? Did he go OK?

We actually haven't organised it yet. DH did ring the organiser for some more information, but now since we don't really know what we are doing next year, we're uncertain whether or not we want to spend $600-$800 on something that we may not even need - ITMS?

I think its just on the back burner for now, we have until November when they make their final decisions, so I think we'll discuss it more when we get back from our holiday.

I had the kinder teacher tell me to keep dudie back ..eg not allow him to continue to prep/school and to repeat kinder. I went against her and it did him the world of good.
The same kinder teacher wanted to send mario to school after one year and I demanded another year of kinder for him and that extra year helped him.
Two completely different kids, two completely different directions and both were right for them!

Only YOU can know if he is ready....if you feel he need's to go to school then chick, do the tests and honestly form the drawings your little man does and the way yourve discribed him, Id be getting the test done and getting him in next year.