anyone thinking of not sending their kid to school because they will be the youngest in the class beeing born in december?

Urmila - posted on 03/28/2011

My daughter started preschool the September before turning 3. Here the kindergarten cut-off is Dec 31, so she can start school before she turns 5. In all likelihood, we'll delay her a year in starting kindergarten but preschool a couple of days a week is a pretty low-risk endeavour. She loves it!

Jen - posted on 03/24/2011

The way that most of the day cares/preschools here in Florida do it is they have an older 2's class which would be the kids who have fall/winter birthdays and wouldn't be eligible for preschool b/c their birthday is after the September 1st cutoff. Then they have VPK3 which is preschool for all the kids who were 3 before September 1st. Then they have VPK4 which is free in Florida for the daily 3 hours of voluntary preschool.

I personally don't care for the cutoffs and think you should be able to send your 5 or almost 5 year old to kindergarten when you think they're ready. In reference to Darlene's comment about boys needing another year, there is actually research being done now that shows mother's holding their sons back until they're almost 6 and it having negative social effects on them. I prefer my daughter be with kids who are older than her, but with the cut off she will actually be one of the older ones with her December 1st b-day.

Michelle - posted on 02/09/2011

Use your judgement! Follow your Mommy instinct! We have done all manner of schooling with ours (mommy of 7)! From home schooling to traditional and sprinkled with loads Montessori moments - currently, we've no plans to send our youngest to school at all. We're leaving on a family adventure soon with our youngest 3, our 12 year old, 17 year old and our 26 year old is joining too! We're heading to Europe and making our way through it at a leisure pace. Loads of 'schooling', as it were, on the go!

There should be no hard and fast rules, if your son is ready you'll know it in your gut. If you feel he'd benefit from a wee bit more mama time then follow that path. No rush - remember, life is not about the destination but rather the journey getting there. x

Sue - posted on 02/09/2011

Annabelle was born dec 26th, she goes to nursery and loves it, George was born on 27th december, he is currently 4 and missed the school cut off date by 27days. George is really bored at pre-school because everyone in his class are still 3. I would definatly send Annabelle to preschool in September. They will be fine, the teachers will be sympathetic to their need as they will be aware of how young they are, and classes are designed around their needs, hope this helps x

Melissa - posted on 01/20/2011

Here is the question to ask? Is he socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively ready to participate in a daily, structured, educational program with a group of other children?

My daughter was born 12/12/07 and she has been in preschool since September. She wanted the socialization of the group, needed the structure and LOVES to be away and have her own thing from me.

Schools here are registering now, so if you don't register and find one now, on the waiting list you will go anyway.

I think it's up to you.if you feel your child is ready, needs it or even wants it. You will also find that each place is unique in it's curriculum from montesorry, to teaching to just focusing on playing. You can check a few out and you know best what will fit your child - if anything at this age.

Amber - posted on 01/04/2011

I'm sure i'm being repeating what others have said but my daughter was born dec. 11 and i put her into preschool 3 months before she was 3 the teacher doesnt mind taking them to a few months early so it worked out for us. she has always stayed home with me but she is very bright girl and would no longer learn from me. she only goes a 2 days a week and next year when she will be turning 4 she will go 3 days a week and only half days. some people think you can push them to early but i feel your never to young to learn and i would rather her be a little ahead then behind. and one thing me and my husband discussed was the experience for her to be able to interact with other kids and have to listen to someone else besides us in a learning inviornment would be good for her, if he doesnt take to it or the teacher feels he's not ready you can always post pone it for awhile but a good teacher will work with them and try to focus on there strengths and weaknesses before they dismis them look into other schools, one that you would feel comfertable with and your child enjoys going to also

Emma - posted on 01/04/2011

Hi I live in Ireland, here kids go to nursery/preschool at 3 and kids born from Sept-Dec are the older kids in the class! My oldest daughter is there at the minute and absolutely loves it! My December 07 daughter will start in September and is really looking forward to it. You should give it a go, you could always take him out if he doesn't like it or you feel he's not ready.

Sarah - posted on 01/04/2011

In our area they can't go until they are a certain age on 12/1 of that year. So they have to be 5 before 12/1 if they are going to kindergarten. Because of this, we have decided that our daughter will wait until she is 4 to go to preschool if she goes at all. I have a friend who is a preschool teacher and she has been telling me that our daughter may not need to go because of the things our 3 year old can already do (count to 15, sing ABC's, name letters - numbers - colors that are pointed to, number of songs she sings on her own, etc.). It is not required that they go to preschool before kindergarten so it is really up to you. Good Luck.

Heather - posted on 01/04/2011

I thought they had to wait until the next year if they were not a certain age by 9/2

Varonica - posted on 12/29/2010

I agree with Darlenes sister. I have a 4 yr old girl who has been in prescool programs since she turned three and benefits from it very well/ On the other hand my son who just turnes three did not benefit from school. He did not like being away from me yet. He also was born in December.

Darlene - posted on 12/29/2010

Here, kindergarten starts at age 5, and because his birthday is dec, he'll start school when he's 5 1/2.
Is it a preschool? Full day? Is he in daycare now? My son goes to daycare twice a week, and is with me at work (I'm a nanny) the rest of the week. I have no plans to send him to preschool as I think he get enough socialization and structure to prepare him for 'real' school.
Every child is different, but my sister, who is a teacher, swears that boys need an extra year before starting school. Not sure I agree with her, but I have heard it from other sources.
Personally, if it's a full day program, I'd wait another year. He's going to be in school for the next 18 years or so.....why push it? If it's just a couple of days a week and he's been at home with you, it could be a good learning experience for him (and you!). Good luck!