My DD is an April baby, and the current plan is for her to do 4 year old kinder next year and start school following year (at 4.75 years). She is very socially competent, but not as academic (doesn't recite 'stuff'), but is very interested in learning. Both her parents were pretty good at school, and i think she will be too when she gets there. My first consideration for school readiness is social awareness and ability. If she was struggling there, i would think more about keeping her back. I do worry about keeping her back, and her being bored academically, and then potentially getting in to trouble to amuse herself.

However, we also did a tour of the school and many of the other kids doing the tour were starting school next year. They certainly looked a lot older and bigger than her, and so i will probably do another tour (or just judge it on her kinder mates) to see how she compares to the other kids.

It's a tricky one to work out. All 3 of mine will be born in the first few months of the year (April/Jan/Feb) and so could potentially be kept back until the year they turn 6. and so i will be facing this issue a few times.