HE for early years

[jollydo]

Has anyone home educated for the first few years of school, then started school later? I am considering HE, but I'm particularly keen on the idea for the first few years as I worry that children are just too young at 4 or 5 for school. My ds has never wanted to stay at pre-school without me, so I have decided not to send him, but think he might still not be ready in Sept when the time comes for school.
Do you think that children settle into school if they start later, at 6 or 7 or older? Or do people generally stick with HE once they start? (I can see why that might happen, the points in favour of it are very convincing!! I'm just not sure whether I would want to until I start, and it would depend on whether my ds decided he wanted to go to school.)

[knat]

i dont have any answeres jolly but i'm considering the same. dd goes to preschool 5 mornings a week and isn't overly keen - she doesnt cling to me but isnt very happy when shes there. This is further complicated as she is being reviewed by Ed Psych and Paed in teh near future (i dont know but may be some Aspergers there). She's just started to toilet train after 2 years of trying and it does seem that her development in that regard is 2 yrs behind. Intelligence wise is is about 12!!! She can read practically anything (at Xmas she sat at he dinner table reading the jokes out of the crackers to everyone!!!). I think with her social/emotional development being 2 yrs behind that will make her only 3 in that regard when she starts school. Depending on what the experts say at the moment we think we will put her in and see how she goes for 6 mnths and if not working for her take her out and HE for a while!! Will watch this thread with interest but I do agree with you that 4 or 5 does seem young.

[ilove8pm]

hi jollydo. I have no personal experience of HE, but am very interested in it . not sure if people can HE for early years and start later but thats a very interesting idea. A good friend who is scandinavian often points out that were she living at home her two kids wouldnt be in school yet as they do not start school at all until 7 years. Interestingly, in recent national press Finland was mentioned as having some of the best academic results in the world. In the top three countries, I believe. I do wonder if there is a link? not sure what anyone elses view is? I can believe that children would respond well in an environment where there is less pressure on them at a young age.

[Runnerbean]

"not sure if people can HE for early years and start later"

Of course you can!!

Whether you HE or got to school nothing is permanent.

That's the joy!

I really wish the government would give parents more information about the fact that School is not CompulsoryEducation is

Knat you say your dd can read already and may have Aspergers.
If you want my honest blunt opinion, if you really have the option ie. you don't have to return to work.

Don't bother sending her to school

Find your local HE group. talk to lots of other HE parents.
You can find this by joining

[[www.education-otherwise.co.uk}}

Read through the other HE threads and Julienoshoes has listed special needs HE support groups (her posts are fanatstic to read alone, very inspiring!) and there is the early years HE website.

muddlepuddle.co.uk

See the light and join the evangelical converted!!

[Julienoshoes]

Special needs HE support groups here;
www.he-special.org.uk/index.php
I highly recommend that you join the email support list that is linked there, if you are considering HEing a child with SEN.
The posters on that support list are a fantastic support and they have all been where you are now.

there is a book about it too;
Home Educating Our Autistic Spectrum Children: Paths are made by walking: Paths Are Made by Walking
By Terri Dowty

Synopsis;
Mainstream educational provision for children on the autistic spectrum can be inadequate or inappropriate. An increasing number of parents dissatisfied with the education system are looking elsewhere for an approach that will suit their children's needs. In "Home Educating Our Autistic Spectrum Children", parents who have chosen to home educate their children with autism or Asperger's syndrome candidly relate their experiences: how they reached the decision to educate at home, how they set about the task, and how it has affected their lives. Following these personal accounts, the final chapters offer practical advice on getting started with home education, legal advice from an expert in education law, and contact details of support organisations

Thank you for the compliment Runnerbean

hth
Julie
Home Educating in Worcestershire
www.worcestershire-home-educators.co.uk/

[jollydo]

I am very tempted the more I hear and read about school, esp for very young ones, to keep mine at home for now at least. But am a bit worried that people he is getting to know locally might start leaving him out of things if he doesn't start school with all his peers. I know he can make friends elsewhere, but would like him to feel like part of the village we live in too, and not 'different' to everyone else. What is anyone else's experience of this?