Eary fives or Kindergarten

HI
I am a retired kindergarten teacher. For 32 years I have had the experience to see child suffer because they are not ready for the structure of school. It is totally a lot of new things and new instructions. This day and age, I believe that being 5 on the first day of school is the best. But just staying home and having nothing for the child isn't the answer either. Some kind of instruction at least 2 hours a day would help in the preparation of the beginning of school. After teaching amount of years, I have written a book that helps parents with ideas and suggestions for their little beginner. Check out my website...www.buzzinbuzzy.com. Email me if you have other questions, I would love to chat with you.
Thanks,

My sons bday is September 17th cut off date is September 1st. My son is in kindergarten fullday at a private school, so he is still 4 soon to be five. I agree just because you have a late 4 year old in Kinder. versus the already 5's going on 6 does not mean the older child will have more of an advantage than the younger ones. To me age is just a number it does not set the tone on how smart and does not mean you have a bigger headstart on the younger ones. You will never know how your child will do in Kindergarten untill they actually go. You can't predict how things will be. If it doesn't work out and the child is having problems after many discussions with the teacher. Since the child is late 4's you have the advantage to just start the next year.. than a already 5 child would not have the option. Every child has to go to school and it may take time for them to adjust it may not. Every child is different. Good luck

I am in the same situation as you are with my daughter. Our school districts cutoff is Sept 30 and my daughters birthday is Sept 10th. I am starting her in preschool this year. I am going to play it by ear for her. If she has two yrs of preschool and I feel at that time (along with the Kindergarten assessment) that she is ready to start Kindergarten, I will be glad for her to go. The requirements for Kindergarten readiness are somewhat simple, as my son just took it. Follow directions, recognize some upper and lowercase letter, shapes, colors, counting to 11, recognize numerals, etc.
If a child completes two yrs of preschool with no problems, usually (not always) they are ready for Kindergarten. Just because a child is a little younger than the rest doesn't mean that he/she are not as ready as their older counterparts. With a little parent guidance in addition to preschool, your child should be as ready as any other for Kindergarten.
Also, since your school district has such a late cutoff date, they may (like my school) have a Junior Kindergarten for younger children to attend. It is something like a 3rd yr of preschool for free or Pre-K. They then repeat Kindergarten for a full day the second year. This may be an option if you feel at the time of Kindergarten that he may not be as ready as you had hoped. Good Luck, I hope this helped.

In our school disctrict the cut-off is Oct 15, my daughters B-day is Oct 12. We decided to wait to enter her in Kindergarten until next year. After speaking with the several parents and teachers, it became clear that it will only benefit her to wait. She is more than ready for Kindergarten, socially and academically, but having graduated high school myself soon after I turned 17, I know that it is not a benefit to be so young entering college and the "adult" world.