I need advice on Young 5's versus Kindergarten

Help! I thought I had it made, my son has a January birthday and automatically was excluded from Kindergarten last year. I sent him to a preschool 4 program instead. Due to my family's move and my husband's new job, we have the opportunity to send both of our older kids to Catholic School (they were in a Lutheran School previously). Now the Kindergarten teacher who screened him has strongly advised him going to their "Junior Kindergarten" as Kindergarten is all day and very academic, even though he will be turning 6 this year. That would put him turning 7 in Kindergarten if I take her advice! Do I go with my gut and send him elsewhere for Kindergarten and let my daughter attend (she's in fourth grade), and if I do that, will he be able to catch up to their academics by the following year? (They alluded to the fact that even if I send him elsewhere, he would still be behind for their first grade curriculum the following year.) What to do!

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Hi! We had the same experience with the private school that we first went into for my child's education. I have a 4-year old son and he's turning 5 in September. When we went to a private school last summer, the director had to put him into preschool. As per Virginia law, any child who is turning 5 on or before September should be in kindergarten. We asked this director if we could send our child to kindergarten but she tends to hold him. She said that normally the boys comprehend slower than the girls...I cant remember the exact words but something to that effect. They said that they usually send the boys to kindergarten a year later than the girls. Believing on what she said, we enrolled him. But it has always been an issue between my husband and I after leaving that school. We, as his parents, know the abilities of our child. If he would be repeating preschool, we're afraid that he might get bored in the class....which may result to a different attitude, he might not listen to his teacher anymore. What we did was we went to the nearest public school and have him assessed by the principal to know if he's ready or not. I remember, our child was not even assessed in the private school! The principal was so amazed as my child knows everything that he could learn in kindergarten. He can write his name, can recognize colors and shapes, can count up to 20 and he could read 3-5 letter words. The most important thing is he listens to everything the principal asks. The principal didn't have a second thought in accepting our application! She said she think our child is ready. Now he is enrolled in kindergarten, and we're waiting for our 2-month advance payment REFUND from the private school. Last Thursday, we attended the Open House and our child is more than excited to attend the kindergarten class. He actually doesn't want to leave his classroom on that day! Sorry but I have to tell that the facilities in this public school is a lot better to what we have seen in the private school. In my child's classroom, they have their own bathroom, computer area (they have around 6 computers), their own pantry (where the sink and drinking fountain are located), writing area, reading area....everything....you would'nt look for more.

To sum it all, we, as parents, know better the capabilities of our kids....if you are having second thought, go with your gut and try to seek for a second opinion or maybe third.

Dont focus on one school...just like what I did before....

I wish you the best!

you need to have the teacher explain why she feel your boy needs to stay in jr k or pre k. is it because the academic or for the long hours. Or because they are full in k but not in jr k.
My girl is born in january too, on the 4th, 02. She is going to turn 7 and she is in first grade starting tuesday. I know that sometimes they tend to hold boys back ...so they would be more mature but I think this is to much unless he has learning disability.
I would definitely have a second opinion before making any decision, and you need to make what is the best for your child without thinking how convenient would
be to have both kids in the same school.

I know testing isn't always accurrate, but I'll tell you most of my late 4's and early 5's struggled with the whole concept of school when compared with their older peers in the same class. I just think by and large a readiness test is a better indicator of possible readiness then and age since kindergarten is much faster paced. A childs before school experiences play a huge role in their success in school. Do they play with play dough, or build with blocks, can they sit still while being read to, etc.... Many kids start kindergarten and never hold a crayon, scissors or a pencil. They've never seen paper and they've never been read to. For most of us it's hard to imagine, but I see it EVERY year.

Brettsmom- Thanks for the response. I will definately check that out once he turns 5. I really thought it was a shame when I read the districts website! I also dont want to continue to invest in private school rates if he can get good free education in the public schools. I live in Houston and the school districts are great in my area. It really seemed like a waste when I was told he couldnt be in kinder yet. I will definately look into mid semester. Thanks again

Those 4 year olds made the bday cut offs by attending preschools that included a kindergarten or private/parochial elementary schools that have a pre-school or pre-k attached.

The private to public four year old transition is a common tactic used here to move kids along in to kindergarten. Sometimes it seems to be good for the child sometimes not. It definitely works if entering your child earlier is what you want to do.

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