Talk about DS starting school has only arisen in relation to me working part time after baby #2 is born this September. I didn't know people thought about it or put names down so early! I'm in NSW, so DS will be going into Kindergarten (or whatever it is now called) at primary school. He is born in April 2011, so starting him in 2016 will make him 4yrs9mths when school starts. Eek! Isn't that young? The alternative is to wait a year where he will be 5yrs9mths.

I don't know what to do really. Our financial plans rest on me returning to full time work in 2016 in line with DS going to school, and sorting out care for this baby. I don't even know at this stage is DS will be ready for school then. He has only started going to day care this year and loves socialising, but outside of that we don't have any friends with kids at all let alone his age. I don't know, it's doing my pregnant brain in!

I know the finances can be sorted and I wouldn't want to force DS into something he isn't ready for (and secretly I wouldn't mind working part time a bit longer for this next baby's sake and more mummy/work balance). Our options are really only public schools. we have one close to us that has a bad reputation and one a short bus/drive away that I would prefer, so I would aim for that one.

How soon are you meant to put their name down? Especially if the school is in your local area but not the closest geographically to your home? I am feeling really hopeless with all this! If we hadn't had another baby I woudlnt even be thinking of school until the year I thought he was meant to start!