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I struggled with the same decision. Up here DD1 did 6 terms of preschool. During the first half of the second year I thought I'd made a huge mistake. She was bored and under stimulated.
Now she's going into year one and I couldn't be more pleased. As a little person she's been so much more well equipped within herself.
I should have said DD wasn't emotionally ready not socially, socially she's fine.
EJ I'd send your DD in 2014, you can always repeat kinder
That's what i'm thinking Olive :) As it was said earlier as part of someone elses reasoning, i want her (my boys also) to excell, i want her to be confident to be herself in all that she's presented with in life.
An extra year at home may be challenging for both parent and child but the benefits could be so worth it in the long run.
My sister faced this with my nephew who was born in Feb, difference being in NSW we do the once a year intake, so it was a matter of whether to hold him back an entire year or not.
She held him back, and honestly, it was the best thing she could have done. He really wasn't ready for school at 4 turning 5 and would have really struggled. When she sent him the following year, he has really shined, and is doing really well in school. From what my sister said, he hasn't had any problems with kids noticing he's that bit older as the cut off is the beginning of July.
On the flip side, my mother had this decision with my brother when he was starting school, (he's 34) back then the cut off age was different, and his birthday is the beginning of July. My mum sent him to school when he was 4.5, and he ended up struggling through most of his school life and needing constant tuition, as well as having to repeat a year, and she says she regrets not holding him back.
If you think it's best for her, then go with it, you know your children better than others :)
My Ds2 is starting school this year and will turn 6 a few days later. I do not, for one second regret holding him back. He definitely needed the extra year of maturity and social skills as he seemed so much younger than the kids that started last year. He is more than excited to be starting school now and is looking forward to it but last year he would have been like your LO, clingy etc as we still had teary moments at pre school.
From a teacher's perspective I think you have made a great decision for your child. You know your child best of all! Go with your first gut reaction.... I would choose the same option as you. My ds is going to be 5 years and 6 months before starting school due to new ruling, I'm really happy with that because I think a bit older is better than a bit younger iykwim? Goodluck with it all!Rach xx
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Im so glad to see this thread. My DS will be 5 in March too and I have decided to hold him back, so another year of kindy but he only goes twice a week as I also work. I wasnt sure what to do so I thought Id hold him back. He doesnt even mention school. I did have him enrolled for school this year and last year he had his interview. He knew most things but not the alphabet, that didnt worry me, more like the not being interested in school kind of thing yet. I wonder if he will get totally bored at kindy this year. On the other hand was sad cos his bestie is starting school this year and they would have been in the same school/class so Im hoping he will make new mates in kindy this year! I have noticed though he has slightly matured on the school hols so I hope I dont regret things. But then like some of you have said Im hopeful the school work will be easier on him a year later. I also noticed last year the kids who had turned 5 towards the end of the year they seemed so much more advanced, e.g. had interest in learning activities, whereas my DS just wanted to play with toys, muck around..