May be starting a year later - should I inform schools?

hollymartins

My son is 2.5 years old and when I was on maternity leave I put his name down for a number of schools for the year he would be 4.5 years old (I know I applied early but we're in Dublin and friends told me I needed to be early!). I expected him to start primary school when he was that age but following changes to the ECCE scheme and chats with other parents I have realised that he may not actually start until he's 5.5 years old.

Should I contact each school and ask them to put him on the list for a year later? Or should I just wait to see if he gets offered a place and then inform them he's not ready. Would he go to the back of the queue for the following year?

I live in Dublin (though not originally from here) and I'm already hearing horror stories from parents who struggled to get their child into any school. I don't want to start him a year later if it jeopardises getting a place.

byhookorbycrook

Please talk to the schools when they re-open after the holidays - don’t wait to get a place you are going to refuse .

hollymartins

But I may not refuse if he is ready, he's only 2 now so it's difficult to predict as he may be fine to start when he's 4.5 years. I certainly wouldn't refuse a place if I thought he would be at the back of the queue the following year!

byhookorbycrook

As a hugely broad generalization , boys are slower to mature , so I’d hold him the extra year.