I made the decision to hold my DS1 back. If i had sent him to school this year he would have turned 5 approx 10 days before he began school and in my heart and mind i just couldn't do that. He is a very bright boy, very outgoing and in many ways 'seemed' well and truely ready to go to school but i knew from working at a PS myself -i'm not a teacher- and speaking to teachers i heard numerous times how benificial it is to hold them back if possible for the social/emotional side of things. My mind was made up when i booked him in for 3 year old kinder (he turned 4 just proir to beginning 3 year old).

DS2 is different in many ways to DS1, not as confident and outgoing in new and unknown situations. I had him in one day a week of care this year and it took him up until the beginnnig of the 3rd term to come out of his shell and even mutter a word. I was seriously beginning to consider taking him out and just keeping him home with me but at the same time knew it was probably the best for him socially and emotionally to be there. He is a March baby, he will be 4 this coming year and he is just about to begin 3 year old kinder and he has given me the clear signs that this is just what he needs.

THEN i have my DD, the decision hasn't been as easy with her because i have also heard many times how girls are that little more mature. And she is one clever little thing who has done her absolute best (and succeeded) in keeping up with her brothers. So she'll turn 3 at the end of next year and i could send her on to 3 year old kinder but i'd kind of be going against my belief so far. Just this week i handed in her 3yr old kinder application and i put her down for 2015 (she'll be 4) and listening to that podcast has just helped me feel confident in my decision (i was before but even more so now).

wysiwyg i understand what you're saying about having to struggle with childcare fees. My boys both attended FDC but once DD had arrived i knew i was going to have to be home permanently as 3 in care was not possible. It's not easy but we had no other option.

I started school at 4 yrs and 8 months but i had a different expereince to wysiwyg. Obviously it comes down to the individuals themselves aswell. I struggled academicaly and was held back in grade 3, my self esteem, confidence and abilty to feel i had a place was very low, especially after staying back. So this too has a lot to do with my decision for my kids.

Thanks for the link Jackrose it was a really interesting and informative listen