I agree with everything Kim has said.

If the "age" for kindy is to turn 6 within that year, anything under 5 is too young for my liking. You have 4.3 yr olds with 6 yr olds.

It also means that if your child plays sport, they play in the group yonger than them, not their school friends, and that can be VERY hard for them. (most go by birth year now, not age, around here anyway)

Also if they leave home after high school, they are potentially moving out, fending for themselves and starting work/uni at only 17... not someting i"m too keen on.

I had a school teacher direct me to a massive study done at a university once... it showed over 80% of teachers would support NEVER letting too young kids start school... they find it way too demanding when they aren't socially/smart ready, and very rarley are younger kids both.

My kids preschool teacher said they are telling parents to try and use this question....... What would your child do if it came to lunch time and they had no lunch?? (bearing in mind new school, kids and teachers)

Would your child cry, go without, or go tell a teacher??.. If your child would do one of the first 2, (mine would!) they are not ready to be that resposible or mature.

I find another year of 4 days of preschool is perfect for my "close to start of year" babies....

But like they say, everyone is different!!!!