Send or hold back? Please help

[minniemouse]

we held my DD back from starting school, she was turning 5 in the feb but just wasn't ready to go, we think she would have struggled had she started then (by mid year she would have been fine to go but it doesn't work that way here), so she started this year a few weeks off 6, it was absolutely the right decision for her, she is doing so well and loves school, if she had of gone last year i think she would have found it hard and maybe not tried because she hates to get things wrong, this way she finds things easy and that really gives her confidence.

there was a little boy in her class who started when he was still 4, it was very obvious he wasn't ready and he didn't cope at all, he lasted 2 terms before he was pulled out.

sounds like you will have a lot going next year, especially with a new baby, i don't think there is any harm at all in keeping them home an extra year (or term) if they aren't ready to go

[Astrolady]

I'd hold her back for a term. Best thing we ever did with Kameron. I actually thought the once per year intakes start next year. Unless it is just our school that is starting it next year.

[AliBaby]

As a teacher I would say hold her back. Emotional and social needs are very important and from what you have said it is going to be a busy, life changing around March.

[Beatrix]

Nah its 2014 they start. My SIL is a teacher. the kindy/preschool intake starts next year...

She said that I would actually have to speak to the school first before I make my decision and see what they say because they may not agree or with the changes they may have other intake ideas

thanks for your replies

[AnyDream]

I would definitely hold her back and send her for 6 terms of reception. It's a real asset. My DD's birthday is in June so she did half a year in reception in SA before we moved interstate and she did another year reception there with a whole bunch of kids whose first year it was at school and she was pretty much streets ahead socially and just with the general being-happy-at-school vibe.

I wouldn't stress too much about the baby being due around the same time. Change is change is change, spacing it out isn't necessarily going to help her deal any better. FWIW I think kids think differently about going to school instead of going to care, at kindy they talk all about it and the kids see it as a good thing that they get to be a "big kid" and do all the fun school things with the other big kids.

[Mak]

The best advice I have heard was if you are even considering it then you should hold back.
Definitely speak to the kinder teacher and school tho as it may be a small intake and be an easier transition than later with a bigger group ITMS?

[feeb]

You know her best hun, I think you have answered your own question.

From what you have told me I think she will find a baby a hard enough adjustment without being at school as well starting when baby is born. She will have been your baby for 5 years.

[Caz1971]

we held my DD back from starting school, she was turning 5 in the feb but just wasn't ready to go, we think she would have struggled had she started then (by mid year she would have been fine to go but it doesn't work that way here), so she started this year a few weeks off 6, it was absolutely the right decision for her, she is doing so well and loves school, if she had of gone last year i think she would have found it hard and maybe not tried because she hates to get things wrong, this way she finds things easy and that really gives her confidence.

there was a little boy in her class who started when he was still 4, it was very obvious he wasn't ready and he didn't cope at all, he lasted 2 terms before he was pulled out.

sounds like you will have a lot going next year, especially with a new baby, i don't think there is any harm at all in keeping them home an extra year (or term) if they aren't ready to go

Minniemouse - my DS will be five in March next year. I was so confused if he was ready or not, I decided not so he is not going to prep for another year. Id rather he stay in kindy then repeat say prep or gr. 1 (if this still happens in life?). He was enrolled in school and attended the interview the other week. Teacher sounded like it would be so full on and I could see DS not coping. Plus most other mums said they kept their sons back too. So Im in peace of mind finally. Kids will definitely benefit waiting an extra year!

[~Kim~]

I kept DD1 back for those reasons. Really glad I did.
As it was I had DD2 2 weeks after she started school, but she was that bit better able to cope.