Who sent their 4 yo to kindy? (nsw first year full time schooling )
Ok so background.
Dd is 5 in june. we had her enrolled in kinder for this year, she attended all her t transition days etc.
However didn't send her for 2 reasons
1/ negative response from people with sending her at 4.5
2/ we just moved this week 500km away and didn't want her switching schools in week 5/6.
Now plan was hold her put and put her In a formal prescholl program 2-3 a week
However I have rung 9 of the closest (within 3 suburbs) long day care centres and preschools and no vacancies until 2013 and all have a huge wait list.
So the school dilemma is questioned again
I have spoken to our local school and she can start next week in week 6 but should we??
I don't think she erl be stimulated enough at home 7 days a week until 2013 but will it be hard to start her now?
Just with the negative responses from people, were they specific to your DD or did they just not like the idea of sending a 4.5 yo? If they were just generally negative then I would probably mostly disregard their opinions.
I’d be asking yourself these sort of questions: Can your DD wipe her own bum? Can she put a jumper on when she’s cold and take it off when she’s too hot? Can she ask for help if she needs it? Can she introduce herself to new people? Can she play nicely and make friends? Can she sit still and concentrate for at least a little while? Is she interested in going to school?
I would use these sort of questions/answers when making a decision. Every child is different and I have certainly seen children that are absolutely ready for school at 4.5. It just depends on the individual child.
School readiness isn't just a random age - different children are ready at different times. DS2 was 4 when he started and turned 5 in March. He's doing fine and his little friend who is the same age coped well too. There was another little girl in their class the same age who fell behind the rest of the class and I believe she is repeating at a different school.
If your DD seems ready for school then why not send her. She will be able to settle in ok even if it is a little later than the other children.
ETA - We're in the ACT not NSW but the ages are the same.
Last edited by Phteven; March 2nd, 2012 at 06:14 PM.
Hi
Yes the comments are generally regarding age not heer specifically. The school was happy with her in tge transition day and said she will bed fine.
As for those other question. The answer is yes to all of them.
She keeps asking to go to school too make new friends at the new house.
My DD1 started kindy aged four (she turned five in March). She's not the youngest but it's close. People really seem to have an issue with starting at this age. My gf's little boy turned five in May and he started too.
Personally, I don't see an issue if you think she's socially ready. Academically is not really important, because no matter what their age they're all at different levels. From what I've noticed in one year, age has very little to do with that. DD1's reading ability is excellent and I'm wondering what I'd have done with her if i'd waited until this year to send her!
They grow up so much in that first year at kindy.
When I started school in Qld many moons ago I was four and it was year one in those days. I started uni before I turned 17, my birthday was a few weeks later. I am very glad my parents sent me 'early'.
My eldest started school at 4, and this is quite normal in Scotland. It depends on the child of course, but most cope really well with it. My youngest two will start a few days after they turn 5, and whilst for my daughter this is no problem (she could easily attend now aged 4), my son will have more of an issue. I wouldn't send him if he wasn't a twin. It's such an individual thing but you know her best and if you think she is ready, she probably is.
I would send her if it felt right to you. But if it doesnt than other activities could keep her busy for the rest of the year.
FWIW, I wanted to send DD1 who turns 5 in sept this year. She is so keen to learn, she begs for me to teach her something, anything all day every day. She's an active kid, but she gets sad if she isnt challenged mentally every day. She loved going to preschool, but apparently she didnt feel like she learnt enough there!
Thanks everyone.
Dd is the same that I feel she is under simulated even with play dates every day .
When we went enquiring at preschools she walked in and introduced herself to the teacher and say down and asked to play with another girl without prompting. And the teacher told me she told her ask about moving and about her brother, this was how excited she was to be there ...sweet thing.
I guess it is just the negativity that gets me down. I was 4 when I stated kindy in sydney to and I think I was fine
I actually didn't realise I was younger than everyone until I was 11 and moved to brisbane.
I am a primary school teacher in NSW, taught kindergarten for 3 year.
Judging on what you said, I would send her.
1. She is not too young. July 31st is the cut off and as Onyx said you dont just suddenly become ready for school when you turn a magic number. I have seen plenty of five/six year olds who seem less ready than 4/5 year olds. It is so dependent on the child that is why the option is there.
2. If she attended the orientation days and the school said that she seemed ready then go for it.
3. If the school has invited her to attend starting week 6 then they would be doing it because they think she will be fine. There is no gain for the school in having her start at this time (ie. numbers).
4. I wouldnt want her being at home 7 days a week being bored out of her brain (not suggesting you are boring- Just saying IYKWIM).
FWIW my birthday is mid June and I was 4 years old when I started. It was a non-issue. I was an above average student, well adjusted and had no issues with my age throughout school (I was too young to go to clubs in Year 12-but that is probably a good thing yeah?)
My older sister's birthday is the cut off date. Her pre-school advised my mum to send her or she will go insane. My sister never had any issues and has always been well beyond her years, socially, academically, mentally. So as I said, if they didnt want June/July birthdays they would have the cut off as April/May.
You use your judgement as well as the advice you have seeked from people who know your DD and are in the profession. HTH
Olive it isn't just you xx
Even when I rang the school origially the admin lady said to me
"in my opinion the only reason people send their kids to school at 4.5 is cause they don't want too pay for preschool"
I thought that was rude tbh. Esp fromm the school! If they can't go to school they should make the child be 5 by 1st january
No prob PP and how rude of the office lady Book a tour and take DD in there and meet the Principal and visit a couple of kindy classrooms. The Principal may think differently to the office lady esp after meeting with your DD.
Olive- I so agree that it is confusing and easy to think it is young when there are different rules in each different state. The Education need to get their act together and get education the same in every state. They are currently working on and implementing a National Curriculum and maybe they will think about getting school starting ages the same in every state. I wont hold my breathe though
There is an absolute *I can’t find non-offensive word* office lady at my DS’s school too. There’s always one. But wow, your office lady, that was breathtakingly rude. DH is egging me on to call her on her rudeness (but I’m still a bit too shocked by it to really take her on). I will next time though I reckon. Good luck with your office lady too.
And it sounds like your DD will be just fine at school! Hooray!
Wow, i am completely shocked by that incredibly rude admin person, i would be speaking with the principal about that as its unacceptable!
My DD started this year, and i was concerned she would be one of the youngest as she turns 5 in mid march. She has been absolutely fine, and it turns out most of the kids in her class are also just turning 5 in the next few months.
Could the school do an orientation type day and give you their advice about if she is ready? She really hasn't missed too much so far, so i wouldn't be worried about it from that perspective either.
My son is 5 in April, so 4 when he started Prep this year. If your DD is ready, she is ready, and you always have the option to take her out again if she doesn't adjust well.
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Who sent their 4 yo to kindy? (nsw first year full time schooling )
Book a tour and take DD in there and meet the Principal and visit a couple of kindy classrooms. The Principal may think differently to the office lady esp after meeting with your DD.
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