This is the letter that I wrote to the principal yesterday. I have not received a reply yet. What do you think? Hopefully he sees it my way.

Good day Mr. ***

I live in the intake area for your school at *****. My daughter was born on 30 May 2006 and thus should be attending Kindergarten from 2010. I felt she was not ready at 3 years old for this but she did start at Success Primary at the beginning of this term until this Tuesday. (We are building a house in your area which will be ready for occupation in 4 weeks).

In the four weeks at the school, we have had numerous problems and even met with the principal and teacher to try and find a solution. My daughter would cry terribly when I was driving her to school and continue until after I had left. She would cry during the day as well. It got to the point at home that that was the only thing she would speak about over and over - "I don't want to go to school Mommy". I did reassure her and was positive and do all the things that I am supposed to. She contined to be miserable and even refused to eat before or during school coming home starving. She refuses to interact with the children. They all seem to be on a level above her socially and she sat on her own or followed the teachers around at lunch and recess. I eventually pulled her out this Tuesday as she is not ready for Kindergarten.

I am saying this not as an over-protective mother, but as a mother looking after the best interests of her child. She is a very sensitive child, reserved and scared in alot of situations. She needs time to mature enough to be able to cope with Kindy and the subsequent years. She is currently 3 years old, turning 4 at the end of May and so only just makes the cut-off according to WA Education rules. There are so many children in her class who one can see are ready for school but they are 4 turning 5.

I have contacted the Education Department who have told me that it is up to the individual school as to whether they will allow a pupil to start a year later. I am asking you to please allow my daughter to apply for Kindy 2011 at your school. I have been told by friends to rather attend a private school as they can allow this. I believe that the State has the best interests of the child at heart and will not force my daughter into something which will be to her detriment. I do not want to break her spirit or destroy her confidence by forcing her into a stiuation which she is ultimately too immature for.

I look forward to your response.

Best regards,
Heather Warren