http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/247119/Can-I-hold-back-my-girl-for-kindergarten-in-NYC- My daughter was born at the end of Nov 2003, so according to the NYC age guidelines, she should start kindergarten this Sep of 2008. I want to hold her back one year, because she's only 4 1/2 and I don't think she's mature enough for kindergarten. The public school for which I'm zoned told me when I called them at the beginning of the year that I could hold her back, so I didn't put her in kindergarten, but now when I called them again to ask about registration for kindergarten for next year, they told me that I cannot do that, if I bring her in next Sep they'll put her straight to first grade. I don't want her to start first grade at 5 1/2, I don't know what to do, as they are not giving me any choice and the classes have already started. They told me that kindergarten is not mandatory, but is recommended, so I don't understand why is mandatory to put her in at 4 1/2. I've heard some public schools let you do it, but this school doesn't want to. Do you know what kind of lawyerI cn ask GreatSchools en-us jolagrodzka No, in NY you can not hold her back. I wanted that for my son, but he will have to go with kids that were bornthat same year, for him ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/247119/Can-I-hold-back-my-girl-for-kindergarten-in-NYC-?cpage=1#comment_384149 5100.384149 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 06:20:41 -0700 cherryxtc My daughter turned 5 during kindergarten and didn't have a hard time at all. It is usually us parents who have anxiety about giving our children some independence. The teachers ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/247119/Can-I-hold-back-my-girl-for-kindergarten-in-NYC-?cpage=1#comment_350324 5100.350324 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:40:40 -0800 mesoto18720 Technically a child should be registered in school when they are 6 years old - kindergarten is not mandatory. Please refer to Dept of Education website www.schools.nyc.gov http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/247119/Can-I-hold-back-my-girl-for-kindergarten-in-NYC-?cpage=1#comment_301900 5100.301900 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:51:10 -0800 zsgirls I could tell you that would be a bad idea to keep her out. why don't you try first than take it from their. My daughter was in pre-k at ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/247119/Can-I-hold-back-my-girl-for-kindergarten-in-NYC-?cpage=1#comment_248084 5100.248084 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:07:25 -0700 ivonneinc I dont know too much about how schools work with this but I didnt go to kindergarden.. I went directly to 1st grade, I think my mother wanted it this ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/247119/Can-I-hold-back-my-girl-for-kindergarten-in-NYC-?cpage=1#comment_247246 5100.247246 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:55:09 -0700