Starting school in 2015 or waiting until 2016?

[BlackRose]

What would I do? I would plan to send him in 2015 and then only change your plans if you are strongly advised by childcare/kinder etc that he is not ready. Jan 2015 is a long way off and you will probably find that he develops the social skills between now and then (I think some children are advanced with vocab etc early and then they stay still on that level but then catch up socially - almost like they have made a conscious decision to focus on one thing and then the other - my DD is a bit like this). Maybe is a gamble but that is what I personally would do - I struggle with daycare fees for two, and I would dearly love for DD to go to school next year as would she, but she misses the cut off here.

I couldn't quite work out from your post but if your DS started in 2015 meant that you will be able to take a part-time or a less demanding role - and him starting in 2016 would mean you would need to go full-time so your DH could be the SAHD as not able to afford daycare for three - then I would definitely go with the 2015 plan as I think that sounds like a better option for the whole family.

Thanks for your advice. That makes total sense. Yes, you are correct... financially we would be better off if DS1 started in 2015 We might be in a different position by the end of 2014 which could allow DS1 to start school later (i.e.Hubs getting a higher paying job, winning lotto etc)

[Bloom]

Hmmm... this is a hard one. I would put him in, but be prepared to re-evaluate during the year and possibly even think about him repeating his first year. I would be upfront with your kinder and school that you aren't sure if he is ready, and take their input on board.

[Bloom]

Sorry, just wanted to add that I would only send him at 4.5 if you had exhausted all other budgeting/money saving measures. Just for one year you could eat vegetarian, make a pact not to get takeaway etc, all the normal saving money stuff.

[feeb]

DS2 is jan 2010 and we decided to not send him to kinder next year and to wait until 2015 for kinder and 2016 for starting school as I felt Just turning 4 a couple of weeks before kinder starts would make him way to young and same with starting school at just turned 5. Seems much better idea to start him at 5 for kinder and 6 for prep! As he could be more than a year younger that some older kids in class.

It is a hard and stressful choice but I am now happy with my choice. Also means there is a year between then at school as DS1 starts 2014 at 5 and 1/2 years of age.

[HotI]

DD was born April 2010, and for now we are planning that she goes to 4 year old kinder next year and start school in 2015. She has been at 3 year old kinder this year and loves it, and the teacher's think she is ready for 4 year old kinder next year. We will see how she goes next year and then decide for the following year.