[Taj19]

Just wondering if anyone has had an issue in SA with the age to start school. My son will be 5 next year 2 days after the start of term and have been told he can't start until 2nd term as he wont be 5 at the start of the term. Has this happened to anyone else. It has happened with kindy this yr (cant start as he wasn't 4 at the start of the term - missed by one day).

[**Mel**]

That's pretty harsh. Am pretty sure the policy states that it is up to the discretion of the school if the birthday falls within the first couple of weeks. Of course, that is the state system - Catholics and Inds have their own rules.

Will see if I can find it on the DECD website


ETA

Early Entry - Children who turn five just after the school term starts

Children that turn five within two weeks of a term commencing may be permitted to enrol and attend school provided that:

• The child does not attend the site until they turn five.
• The principal agrees to enrol the child at the site as soon as they turn five (as this decision is to be made at the principal’s discretion).
• The school is not under enrolment pressure in the year level requested.

As this is a local management decision, each individual principal is responsible for making a decision in this regard

This post has been edited by **Mel**: 22/02/2012, 04:23 PM

[ingrid74]

Yep, usually up to the discretion of the school. My daughter is 5 on the 27th April and this year with Easter being reasonably early means term 2 starts 23rd April. Originally they told us to wait til term 3 but for her that meant a whole additional year of school. However she was able to start kindy in term 2 last year (due to late Easter and her being 4 before term 2 started) so made it hard for them to say no.
My son has a birthday on the 3rd Feb (and other friends on the 9th and 12th Feb) and no problems with them starting in term 1.

[Taj19]

Yes, it is at the discretion of the principle, just wondering if they wont budge - what else can you do. I know rules are there for a reason but when we are talking about 1 or 2 days - it seems a little silly.

[Taj19]

At ingrid74 - that sounds more reasonable!

[**Mel**]

What are the principal's objections?

If there is space, most Principals would jump at getting a new enrolment.

Edited to fix appalling grammar - consdiering I am a teacher LOL

This post has been edited by **Mel**: 22/02/2012, 04:29 PM

[ingrid74]

Any other schools you can apply at that you would be happy with?

[howdo]

Yep. DD1 was 5 in week 3 of term 2 and had to wait for term 3.

Honestly OP, I would be thankful he can start in term 2 as at least he will be able to go up a year with his peers. DD1 is a 6 term Reception and really didn't need it, she could have gotten by with 2-3 terms of Reception but we were at the mercy of the rules.

So you could be worse and be stuck with a term 3 start ...

[Taj19]

As I have said, I know there are rules - and if he was the required age 3 weeks after the start of term I would accept that the rules say wait until the next term. However I think 2 days just seems silly to have to wait. There are no other schools in our area

[howdo]

They have to put the cut off somewhere ...