Amy - is the cut off also 30th April in NSW then? I was under the impression that was 31st July so CJ would get in earlier in NSW?
Yes, as far as I'm aware our cutoff is 31 July. But I was one of the youngest in my school year with a birthday in April. It was ok I guess, but posed a few social problems in high school - they were all able to see 15+ movies before me. When we wanted to go out into the city my mum would always be concerned about whether to let me go just yet. My closest friend in the early years was 11 months older than me after all.
My decision to not send P to school at 4 is largely based on my experience of school. I really didn't enjoy it for the most part. I would like her to have the extra year under her belt to feel more confident both socially and academically.
I think the trend now is to hold kids back a bit. It certainly is with our MG - one of the boys wasn't going to start until he was 6! (They legally have to be enrolled in school by their 6th birthday.)
Yep, CC is expensive, but with the CCR it's really not that different to regular pre-school.