Just wondering if anyone here has decided to hold their little ones back to start Prep a year later? If anyone has - how did it work out?

I don't think DD is emotionally ready for Prep - socially and academically she is fine but I really feel that at 4 her emotional well-being is VERY important. But I worry how holding her back will effect her socially. Plus she knows that most kids go to school at 5 and has been talking a lot about going to 'big school' so will keeping her back make her feel 'different'?! I'm am sooooo feeling the pressure!

Do schools ever take kids in during the year? I have thought about just giving her another 6 mths then starting her half way through the Prep year. Coming from NZ I find this whole one intake at the start of the year system to be quite bizarre - I can see the benefits of it but it does seem a little 'one size fits all' to me. In NZ kids start when they turn 5 - often on their actual birthday, or very close to it. But it seems to allow for a little more flexibility than having one intake.

TIA for any feedback.