Comments on: All children to start school at age four in primary reforms http://www.parentsoutloud.com/all-children-to-start-school-at-age-four-in-primary-reforms/ Helping provide a voice for Parents Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:05:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Autumn http://www.parentsoutloud.com/all-children-to-start-school-at-age-four-in-primary-reforms/comment-page-1/#comment-1812 Autumn Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:02:51 +0000 http://www.parentsoutloud.com/?p=704#comment-1812 I am in America, so maybe I do not understand what school is like in England, but with that being said, I have a 5 1/2yr old in kindergarten and a 2 1/2 yr old in an early education program. they learn social skills, creative skills, reading, writing, manners, humor, communication skills,and so much more. They are taught through games and songs and art with very little 'sit at your desk' instruction. Both of my boys love school and love learning. They learn both at home and at school. I do not understand when some of you say that your 4 year old is not emotionally ready to go to school. Are England's schools particularly harsh and rigid? My children have always enjoyed learning things - my oldest boy began reading at two because he wanted to learn how, and my two year old is learning to read now and loves it. I am in America, so maybe I do not understand what school is like in England, but with that being said, I have a 5 1/2yr old in kindergarten and a 2 1/2 yr old in an early education program. they learn social skills, creative skills, reading, writing, manners, humor, communication skills,and so much more. They are taught through games and songs and art with very little ‘sit at your desk’ instruction. Both of my boys love school and love learning. They learn both at home and at school. I do not understand when some of you say that your 4 year old is not emotionally ready to go to school. Are England’s schools particularly harsh and rigid? My children have always enjoyed learning things – my oldest boy began reading at two because he wanted to learn how, and my two year old is learning to read now and loves it.

]]> By: judy http://www.parentsoutloud.com/all-children-to-start-school-at-age-four-in-primary-reforms/comment-page-1/#comment-1740 judy Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:36:50 +0000 http://www.parentsoutloud.com/?p=704#comment-1740 this is a really helpful site for educational purposes - www.primaryheadspaperwork.co.uk this is a really helpful site for educational purposes – http://www.primaryheadspaperwork.co.uk

]]> By: David http://www.parentsoutloud.com/all-children-to-start-school-at-age-four-in-primary-reforms/comment-page-1/#comment-1736 David Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:25:15 +0000 http://www.parentsoutloud.com/?p=704#comment-1736 A lot depends on the child, My daughter was ready at 4 years old but was held back a year as her birthday was in January and so she is one the eldest in her group. Had she had the chance to start the year before we would have taken it as she was very disappointed not to go with many of her slightly older friends from nursery. My wife and I both have full time jobs, which is sadly required in Britain today - we get no benefits and so it is inevitable that children join the 9-5. Anyone who is fortunate enough to stay at home either is rich or gets a shed load of benefits or tax credits. As it is I would like so see school holidays reduced from the current 1/3rd of a year off as it is too disruptive to parents that only have 4-5 week holiday from their jobs. A lot depends on the child, My daughter was ready at 4 years old but was held back a year as her birthday was in January and so she is one the eldest in her group. Had she had the chance to start the year before we would have taken it as she was very disappointed not to go with many of her slightly older friends from nursery.

My wife and I both have full time jobs, which is sadly required in Britain today – we get no benefits and so it is inevitable that children join the 9-5. Anyone who is fortunate enough to stay at home either is rich or gets a shed load of benefits or tax credits.

As it is I would like so see school holidays reduced from the current 1/3rd of a year off as it is too disruptive to parents that only have 4-5 week holiday from their jobs.

]]> By: Ina http://www.parentsoutloud.com/all-children-to-start-school-at-age-four-in-primary-reforms/comment-page-1/#comment-1646 Ina Mon, 17 Jan 2011 03:39:55 +0000 http://www.parentsoutloud.com/?p=704#comment-1646 WOW!! Here I am in America trying to find a school for my just turned 4 year old! All this play theory in the day care system and he loves to write and wants to learn to read. He can write all his numbers and asks me to read his (made up words)and letters he writes. Children are so much smarter than we were back in the day! Why not give the opportunity if you do have a child that wants to learn. Here he does not qualify for schools because he was born after Dec. 1st! I found a sitter who is willing to work academics with him, and am still looking for a school that will actually harvest his love for academics! WOW!! Here I am in America trying to find a school for my just turned 4 year old! All this play theory in the day care system and he loves to write and wants to learn to read. He can write all his numbers and asks me to read his (made up words)and letters he writes.
Children are so much smarter than we were back in the day! Why not give the opportunity if you do have a child that wants to learn. Here he does not qualify for schools because he was born after Dec. 1st!
I found a sitter who is willing to work academics with him, and am still looking for a school that will actually harvest his love for academics!

]]> By: Linda http://www.parentsoutloud.com/all-children-to-start-school-at-age-four-in-primary-reforms/comment-page-1/#comment-1508 Linda Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:47:04 +0000 http://www.parentsoutloud.com/?p=704#comment-1508 Many parents know and realise that starting school at 4 years old is way too early, but how many know that school is not compulsory? You do not have to send your child to school if you don't want to, as a parent the responsibility for providing your childs education is yours and yours alone, you may delegate that responsibility to a school but you don't have to, and if you do decide to home educate you don't have to 'teach', give lessons or reciprocate school in anyway whatsoever, you don't need permission. Google Home Education, it's a whole new world! :) Many parents know and realise that starting school at 4 years old is way too early, but how many know that school is not compulsory? You do not have to send your child to school if you don’t want to, as a parent the responsibility for providing your childs education is yours and yours alone, you may delegate that responsibility to a school but you don’t have to, and if you do decide to home educate you don’t have to ‘teach’, give lessons or reciprocate school in anyway whatsoever, you don’t need permission. Google Home Education, it’s a whole new world! :)

]]> By: alison mccracken http://www.parentsoutloud.com/all-children-to-start-school-at-age-four-in-primary-reforms/comment-page-1/#comment-1423 alison mccracken Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:42:31 +0000 http://www.parentsoutloud.com/?p=704#comment-1423 i made the same mistake with my first son i did not knoe the system followed the sheep the nursery said he was ready for school, hence my gut telling me he was not. i sent him on advice from nursery biggest mistake i ever made i managed to defer him last year so at least he will not go to seconary school age 11, however the guilt of robbing him of another year at nursery being nurtured has never left me or him i guess he felt abandoned, the damage was done, i now work in a school which makes it worse for me. fortunatley my second son is due to go to school at the summer he will be age 5 and a half i still cant bear to put him in and am thinking of home educating! i do not feel i can let him go into the lions den. i made the same mistake with my first son i did not knoe the system followed the sheep the nursery said he was ready for school, hence my gut telling me he was not. i sent him on advice from nursery biggest mistake i ever made i managed to defer him last year so at least he will not go to seconary school age 11, however the guilt of robbing him of another year at nursery being nurtured has never left me or him i guess he felt abandoned, the damage was done, i now work in a school which makes it worse for me. fortunatley my second son is due to go to school at the summer he will be age 5 and a half i still cant bear to put him in and am thinking of home educating! i do not feel i can let him go into the lions den.

]]> By: samantha http://www.parentsoutloud.com/all-children-to-start-school-at-age-four-in-primary-reforms/comment-page-1/#comment-1241 samantha Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:36:15 +0000 http://www.parentsoutloud.com/?p=704#comment-1241 I just cant belive some of the things im reading and hearing. I say it again but this country has gone mad. Its not going to stop untill our poor little children are burnt out. My son is due to start in sep 2 weeks after his 4th birthday. We had wanted to put it off for a year but is putting him straight in at year 1 where expectations are greater fair? I think emotionally he will be better able to cope. We then applied for the space and have requested to defer untill jan but after reading these things again we think we should wait. Plus parents need to make a stand for whats right for their children. What happens to the premature children who's milestones are sometimes slower than others because they were born to soon and fall into the july aug born cateagory? If they can prove that summer born babies do worse academiclly and often dont make it to uni etc and that vital parts of the brain that deal with letters and numbers sometimes do not develop properly untill age 4-7 why oh why do we put children in school aweek after their 4th birthday? Please some one give me a logical reason. It is surley, purley to do with money there is no wellbeing of the child taken into concideration. I just cant belive some of the things im reading and hearing. I say it again but this country has gone mad.

Its not going to stop untill our poor little children are burnt out.

My son is due to start in sep 2 weeks after his 4th birthday. We had wanted to put it off for a year but is putting him straight in at year 1 where expectations are greater fair? I think emotionally he will be better able to cope.
We then applied for the space and have requested to defer untill jan but after reading these things again we think we should wait. Plus parents need to make a stand for whats right for their children.

What happens to the premature children who’s milestones are sometimes slower than others because they were born to soon and fall into the july aug born cateagory?

If they can prove that summer born babies do worse academiclly and often dont make it to uni etc
and that vital parts of the brain that deal with letters and numbers sometimes do not develop properly untill age 4-7 why oh why do we put children in school aweek after their 4th birthday? Please some one give me a logical reason. It is surley, purley to do with money there is no wellbeing of the child taken into concideration.

]]> By: Sue, Hampshire http://www.parentsoutloud.com/all-children-to-start-school-at-age-four-in-primary-reforms/comment-page-1/#comment-822 Sue, Hampshire Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:26:01 +0000 http://www.parentsoutloud.com/?p=704#comment-822 My son's birthday is at the very end of August.It was quite ridiculous to think of a 3 year old boy starting school in a couple of weeks. I exercised his legal right not to sart school then, but to continue to attend nursery on a part time basis until the following September - the term starting after his 5th birthday. The school and Head were arrogant and tried to be emotionally manipulative when I informed them we wouldn't need a place until the following year - especially underlining that we were unlikely to get a place the following year. In private the foundation teacher told me I was absolutly right. A place was found - but we moved shortly after that so it didn't matter anyway. I have not regretted the decision to wait a year for one second. My son has just started High school, is confident, enjoys learning and in top sets for most subjects. Parents need to be supported in making the decision not to send their children to school until the legal age they are required to do so - July and August babies should not be expecyed to start school when they are just 4 - it is not just what they do in class but the whole ethos of the playground and the older children which have an enormous effect on their development. I srongly believe the cut-off date for Sept start must be changed, and the age for starting school should not be lower than 5. My son’s birthday is at the very end of August.It was quite ridiculous to think of a 3 year old boy starting school in a couple of weeks. I exercised his legal right not to sart school then, but to continue to attend nursery on a part time basis until the following September – the term starting after his 5th birthday. The school and Head were arrogant and tried to be emotionally manipulative when I informed them we wouldn’t need a place until the following year – especially underlining that we were unlikely to get a place the following year. In private the foundation teacher told me I was absolutly right. A place was found – but we moved shortly after that so it didn’t matter anyway. I have not regretted the decision to wait a year for one second. My son has just started High school, is confident, enjoys learning and in top sets for most subjects. Parents need to be supported in making the decision not to send their children to school until the legal age they are required to do so – July and August babies should not be expecyed to start school when they are just 4 – it is not just what they do in class but the whole ethos of the playground and the older children which have an enormous effect on their development. I srongly believe the cut-off date for Sept start must be changed, and the age for starting school should not be lower than 5.

]]> By: Deni, Wales http://www.parentsoutloud.com/all-children-to-start-school-at-age-four-in-primary-reforms/comment-page-1/#comment-341 Deni, Wales Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:37:23 +0000 http://www.parentsoutloud.com/?p=704#comment-341 It makes me so angry. Children should be allowed to be children. Forcing them into the equivalent of a 9 to 5 workforce at the age of 4 is abusive. Even when they get home they're expected to do homework. Let them play. And let them feel like they're more important to somebody than just 1 out of 20 in a classroom. What is this country coming to? I'm ashamed to be British. It's basically the government believing they can do a better job of raising children than parents. They've shown even more clearly now that they have no idea. All they do is set children up to feel that they can fail, and to burn out before they even reach their teenage years. I'm disgusted. It makes me so angry. Children should be allowed to be children. Forcing them into the equivalent of a 9 to 5 workforce at the age of 4 is abusive. Even when they get home they’re expected to do homework. Let them play. And let them feel like they’re more important to somebody than just 1 out of 20 in a classroom. What is this country coming to? I’m ashamed to be British. It’s basically the government believing they can do a better job of raising children than parents. They’ve shown even more clearly now that they have no idea. All they do is set children up to feel that they can fail, and to burn out before they even reach their teenage years. I’m disgusted.

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