Thanks for all of the replies ladies It made for interesting reading. I brought it up with my brother and he pleaded with me not to send him until he is 5! He was a June baby and didn't cope well at all with school for the first two years. I think I want him to be bigger than the rest of the pack, not one of the smallest.
Very sensible. As a kindergarten teacher for the last 2 years (and before that a few times too) I have seen many boys snet too early who really suffer later. Its not just about being ready now its about will he be ready for the HSC at a year younger than his peers, how will he cope when his friends are 18 ages before him and have a different social life etc.
I know its easy to think thats miles away but having had a DD doing the HSC in 2009 I really noticed the difference in both maturity and coping ability of those of her peers who were May/June/July babies who had been sent young.
I would much rather my child be one of the older ones than one who has to repeat!! Thats far harder on the ego than being older and TBH the kids don't give a toss who is what age in the classroom. Last year my class ranged from some who turned 6 in Feb/march etc onwards and some who turned 5 in May/June/July and to be honest the July boy was way too young and did not vcope at all.
I would always ask the preschool teacher's advice because they usually have a good idea, if they say send them they are usually right.