Taking kids out of school in reception?

[MK_club1987]

I've just been sitting here for the past hour planning a surprise DLP trip for DW and DS in September, and then it just hit me, DS starts reception in September , I was looking at 9th September for 5 nights, this is literally the week after he starts, thing is the price is so much more if I go a few weeks before.

I know it's a bit of a sore subject, I'm personally on the side of not having an issue taking children out, but 1 - I'm a bit worried as he'll have only just started and 2 - not sure where the stance is for reception, is it allowed as it's only compulsory for school from 5+ or same rules as the other years?

Thanks in advance.

[GezzasGem]

We took DD out aged 4 the first 2 weeks after October half term. School were fine and I asked for some work sheets to take but they did say they prefer it not to be first few weeks due to the new things they cover that form the basis of the coming terms. All schools different though so perhaps talk to the teachers?
Edited to add it still went down as unauthorised absence but not fined

[Orlando 2004]

I think you may be allowed as he's not 5 but personally wouldn't as the first term will be when friendships are made and rules are set.

[MK_club1987]

Originally Posted by Orlando 2004

I think you may be allowed as he's not 5 but personally wouldn't as the first term will be when friendships are made and rules are set.

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Yeah that's what I'm thinking, might have to put it off a little bit for that reason, was originally looking at November, but then changed mind to September due to better weather! Lucky I remembered before I booked anything need to get used to this whole being in school and surprising holidays!

[Pjamas]

I took DS out in reception but I don’t think I’d have done it right at the start - he was so excited about starting big school and so much energy had been put into the transition from pre school and taster days it would have felt counter productive. If you go later on the fireworks are earlier as it’s darker earlier and that’s better for littlies?

[MK_club1987]

Originally Posted by Pjamas

I took DS out in reception but I don’t think I’d have done it right at the start - he was so excited about starting big school and so much energy had been put into the transition from pre school and taster days it would have felt counter productive. If you go later on the fireworks are earlier as it’s darker earlier and that’s better for littlies?

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Thanks, yeah I might go back to the original plan of November, at least he will have been there a few months at his stage.

Like I said only reason I was thinking September is because we mostly always gone winter time in the past, and would have been nice to get some nicer weather, I guess there's still no guarantee's of nice weather in September though.

[skalexander]

9th September is literally the first week of school. That's when your lad is going to be making friends and settling in. I don't think its fair to him to take him out, even if it is for an awesome reason. Maybe book something in the spring if you'd like the better weather?

[mandco]

Originally Posted by MK_club1987

I've just been sitting here for the past hour planning a surprise DLP trip for DW and DS in September, and then it just hit me, DS starts reception in September , I was looking at 9th September for 5 nights, this is literally the week after he starts, thing is the price is so much more if I go a few weeks before.

I know it's a bit of a sore subject, I'm personally on the side of not having an issue taking children out, but 1 - I'm a bit worried as he'll have only just started and 2 - not sure where the stance is for reception, is it allowed as it's only compulsory for school from 5+ or same rules as the other years?

Thanks in advance.

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Have you checked his actual start date? as reception year children often start after the main school. Here they don't start till around the 18th of sept this year

[Guest]

You probably won’t get fined if he’s 4 still, however that month is so important for reception on settling into school life and making friends.

My dd was 3 a missed 2 weeks of nursery before the October half term, so the year before reception and she became really unsettled when she went back. If your going to miss school I would probably do it in the summer term.

[Weddingnyc]

I have, and will be taking the kids out of school, but wouldn’t do it for the first couple of weeks of the new term. DD will be in the same position, and still hasn’t settled in nursery, I wouldn’t want to disrupt her settling in.