Legal age for starting Kindy

My little man turns 5 in a few weeks and attends preschool 2 days and long day care 2 days per week. After speaking to all his carers we have been advised that he may not be emotionally ready for kindergarten next year. He has recently been the victim of a difficult situation where he was taken advantage of by one of his peers over a number of months. His self esteem is very low and anxiety levels extremely high and we believe that working with a psychologist and giving him another year before he starts kindergaten will give him a better edge and a good start to his school life.

I read on the website that all kids must attend school by their 6th Birthday and I was just wondering if anyone knows where this leaves my son? Does he have to go next year? Can the psychologist write a letter excluding him from school till 2010 (as this was recommended by her)? What do I do from here?

Any help appreciated...

Im so sorry that your son has had to go through this at such a young age.
I am pretty sure there would be exceptions to the rule. But I have no real idea.
I have it in my head that they must attend no later then 6 turning 7 but I don't where that comes form...

eta - found this- In NSW, children must turn five before July 31 in the year they start school and must start school by their sixth birthday.

I sure hope it ok to delay starting him if its what he will need.

I am a kindergarten teacher in the public school system in NSW. You are right... a child MUST attend school by the age of 6. I jsut had a little boy in my class who did not attend school or any type of preschool/learnign environment and when the hislow (school attendence officer) got hold of it they basically force the parent to enrol the child. IF worst comes to worst, your child can repeat kindergarten (this happens to a few children) and is not a big drama.

I am so sorry your little boy has had to go through this. If possible at all I would look at small schools for your son as in my experience children are more accepting of other children. He may find it less confronting as well.

Good Luck Hun. Pm me if you want more info on it but you can always ring the Dept of Education

Hi Sorka. If you have to send him, then there are other avenues you can venture down too - you could apply for Aide help in the classroom to help him in the areas he has trouble with, but it's a long winded process to get it. Is there any way they can do some intensive therapy with him between now and next year to boost him along a bit?

Have you considering homeschooling until he is ready for school? You can still use day care if needed as long as his education is still being taken care of. Not sure on rules for NSW though.

Just a thought.

We homeschool and absolutely love it.

Thank you for the help girls. I have spoken to the Dept of Education today and they advised me there would be no problem keeping him home till 2010 (she actually recommended it) as long as I can write a short note about why and attach a letter from the psychologist saying that it is in his best interest.

He is very bright, but emotionally he is in a bit of a shambles. He has always been on the anxious side and we started seeing the psychologist before any of the other stuff came up as we were unsure about sending him then. Family tell me to wait and see, but I can't see that he could develop the skills needed in 3 months. Especially standing up for himself. The classroom is not such a problem (although he would struggle there too) but more the playground. If this could happen to him in a class of 20 with one of his peers and 3 teachers, I hate to think what could happen with 150 students around.

Am I beng overprotective, or doing the right thing for my little man? Whats your opinion?

Sorka, you know this little man better than anyone else in the world. Trust your instincts.

IMO it will work out better in the long run. Wait til he's ready so he doesn't have to struggle right from the start. In the long run the time difference wont matter at all.