Enrolling my child in Pre-K...?

Question

I went to a local elementary school in my area to enroll my son for Pre-K this coming school year. The schools say that b/c my son was not born on or before September 9, 2003, he will not be able to enroll. Why is that? He was born in October of 2003 and will be 4 years old then. So what difference does it make, honestly?

Answer 1

That is your enrollment cut off date and the schools will not make any exceptions.What you can do is enroll him in a head start program or a private pre-k program until you can enroll him in kindergarten.There is always a chance they can promote him to the next grade if he excels in reading and math in 1st or 2nd grade.I know plenty of parents this has happened to.

Answer 2

It may not make any difference for your son, but the school system had to make a cut-off date, and that is what they decided. You can usually have your son independently tested or evaluated if you feel he is really ready. But as a former educator, if it were my child, I would wait and let him have the extra time. There are many other things to consider, not just the child's age. He will always be one of the youngest ones in every class, he may be smaller than the others, and socially and emotionally, he may not be ready. On the other hand, if you wait, he will be older, more confident, and be more ready emotionally and socially for the heavy responsibilities that are placed on these little ones so early in life!

Answer 3

Its the law.   Generally boys are even less mature than girls of the same age.   He probably isn't ready for even pre-k.   He will be there for next year.

Answer 4

There has to be a cut off date- or else you would get three year olds in the program, It sounds like they want the children to be able to attend kindergarten the next year. So the elementary school cut off date for kindergarten is probably the same( Sept 9)

Try looking for a four year old program for this year, then send him to the pre K next year. The advantage for your son is that he will be an older child among the other students. This is really good. Not just for now but when he is in high school , he will have a maturity advantage that the others won't have- hence he might make better decisions at a time when it is important.

Also think about if you send your child to school early and he graduates at 17 years old from high school, would you want him moving a way and going to college at 17 years old with kids that are 18 -21 years old? All that preparation for college and the chances are he won't really be mature enough for moving away.

Answer 5

School districts have to set a date as to how old/young children need to be to begin school.  What my parents did with me, and what you may want to consider, is enrolling your child in a private preschool.  Some daycare centers that I have observed with have a two preschool classes, one for younger children and one for older.  You could send your child to a private preschool for a year and then to the elementary school for a second year of preschool.  That way you know your child will be prepared for kindergarten.