DS is 5 in September and he isnt starting Kindy (NSW) until 2012. He goes to preschool 2 days a week this year. TBH he is more than ready to start this year.. he can write his name, any letter or number off the top of his head, knows the alphabet, knows every letter's sound, can sound out words in order to read them, can look at an object and tell me what the first letter it starts at by knowing the sound (if that makes sense), and he is i believe very mature for his age. But i am waiting until next year, the year he turns 6 in September because it will give him that extra time to be even more ready. I dont want him to struggle at school.. who knows, he still may, but i believe holding him back will then make him alot higher up in his year.

I have friends who are thinking of sending their children the same year as DS, who are younger both physically and mentally because thats what the minority are doing, that i personally dont think are ready or will be ready. I think you have to do what is best for your individual child. There is no harm in holding them back another year if thats what they need. Last thing i want is for my child to struggle to keep up, then have to repeat when all of their friends move on. I remember kids doing it when i was school and being so upset over it. My cousin was one who repeated while in high school and he then just went off the rails and was bullied because of it.

So IMO.. do what is best for your child. If you dont think they can cope, then hold them back a year.. its what benefits them which is most important. And if youre really unsure, talk to their preschool teachers and ask their honest opinions what they think would be best for your child.