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what's the age cutoff for kindergarten?

I'm sure it's different for different areas/schools...  But, what's your experience with kindergarten and age cutoffs?  Thanks!

Re: what's the age cutoff for kindergarten?

  • I think that it is pretty standard in RI's public schools... Child has to be 5 before Sept 1st.
  • Is there any kind of flexibility with that?  I'm just thinking Cassidy may be really bored if she's older than many of the kids.  I obviously don't need to make this decision any time soon, but she's always been incredibly verbal and has hit just about every milestone super early...

    This question arises out of some budget planning of having two kids in daycare versus having a nanny and the possibility of private school on the horizon.  I felt I needed to explain so you don't all think I'm super crazy for thinking about kindergarten already!

  • When is her birthday, spring, right?

    I found an article on ProJo that in 2009 they were talking about allowing kids into Kindergarten if they turned 5 even between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 of that year, but not sure if that passed.

    But no, there's no flexibility to send them sooner, and you don't want to really. Not to sound snotty, but I was way advanced and still didn't skip ahead a grade until 4th grade - it's not just her learning/intelligence but the social skills that go with it in their early years. And she'll feel equally out of place if she's younger than everyone as she goes on too.

    You could always do a more structured preschool with her for that last year before kindergarten instead of "just" daycare (you know what I mean!). My kids go to a Goddard School and have their own levels, it's wonderful for their development because Ben will have preschool, pre-K, and can even attend Kindergarten there.

    Maddy is a May birthday and while I have no idea how she'll develop by then, I wouldn't send her until that September after she turns 5. 

    Wife, mom, attorney, blogger, runner - trying to learn to love all the good things in life!!
    "It's not a sprint, it's a marathon." - Alex & Ani bracelet
    My blog: Dodging Acorns
  • Amy - When is her birthday? They are generally not very flexible about it...Esp. public schools...I 'think' you can have her tested to get into private kindergarten though...But that probably doesn't change the money situation...
  • December 10th.  Socially too, she only wants to play with older kids...
  • Hi Amy - I ran into the same thing with Peter - his birthday is Dec. 29th and I was wondering the same thing.  I called NP schools and they told me that we have to register him for kindergarten, and then if he seems bored, they'll test him and if need be, move him up a grade.  Also, at least in the school where he's going, he can do some subjects with the older kids.  So there are at least some options, you know?
  • I am only cautioning it as someone who was the same way - I was reading at 3. But it was still really good for me to have a year or two in school, then let the teachers decide when I was ready to move up completely. There was talk of it in 1st and 2nd grade but my parents held off until 4th when there was less difference in development. 

    I was able to take subjects in the higher grades as I advanced, and once I tipped past like 60% of higher level classes I skipped a grade. 

    Wife, mom, attorney, blogger, runner - trying to learn to love all the good things in life!!
    "It's not a sprint, it's a marathon." - Alex & Ani bracelet
    My blog: Dodging Acorns
  • Amy - I don't mean to sound discouraging about it at all.You definitely don't want her bored and want to encourage that awesome little girl to do everything she can!!!

    I'll have this same problem with Ben - his birthday is Sept. 10 and he's just about read to start reading already and he's not even 3! But I still don't want to rush it. Enough of their lives is rushed...

    I just know how hard it was to be "that" kid in school, especially high school, who was younger b/c I had skipped a grade. The "nerd" label didn't leave until law school.... and I fought and rebelled against it in bad ways at times too b/c I was sick of being the "smart one" or the "nerd" among friends.

    Finding the balance between fostering their amazing intellect and the social development can be very difficult. I think my parents made the right choice for me and at the right time.

    Wife, mom, attorney, blogger, runner - trying to learn to love all the good things in life!!
    "It's not a sprint, it's a marathon." - Alex & Ani bracelet
    My blog: Dodging Acorns
  • Thanks, guys!  I had seen somewhere online that it was September 1st through December 31st and wasn't quite sure what that meant.
  • Yup, 5 by September 1 with no exceptions.  Nolan was September 5 and it wasn't happening.  Academically he is somewhere around 3rd grade right now.  Reading, writing, Spanish, math, the whole nine yards.  But he has to wait until this fall to start K.  We are planning on letting him go through K, and then 1 and reevaluating if possible to skip a grade in there somewhere.
  • Sept 1 is the cut-off ...there are some districts that will test readiness (I know Lincoln does this or used to) if the birthday is within 7 days of the cut-offs and it is at the departments discretion to enroll. 
  • I'm so glad I asked!  Very interesting stuff!  And Michele, I'm not discouraged whatsoever!  I just couldn't find anything substantial online...  And as a teacher, I've seen how boredom can manifest itself which worries me.
  • Def interested in this post because I have the same worries for Gabrielle; her birthday is Sept 27th....

    I am also a Sept birthday and where/when I grew up it was up to the parents for Sept babies.  My parents decided I was ready and I started K when I was 4.  Academically, I was fine (actually better then fine, mostly advanced placement/honors type classes).  Socically also really wasn't a problem.  The only thing I regret is athletic wise in HS.  I played a ton of sports and because of being younger/smaller, I didn't do as well in sports as I would have liked (still varsity and such but not as good as I would have liked).  I think this would be more for boys though.

    All that being said, it seems that if you go to public schools in RI it is not an option.  If not 5 by Sept 1st, then no K for you!  Right now were on the waiting list for URI's pre-school and hoping that will give her an outlet more then just daycare.  Who knows though ... she might not be ready at all for K or pre-K

  • Wow, all of you ladies have super smart children, all so advanced! 
  • Personally, I say don't rush it.  I don't see much of an advantage sending your child to school 1 year earlier than the guidelines say.  If she goes, and by chance they feel she's too advanced, they can bump her up then.

    Ty could have easily started kindergarten at 4 (he's an October baby) but the guideline was by Sept. 1.  I don't feel that he's suffered any at all having started when he did.

    I was 4 when I started, the guidelines back then were 5 by 12/31 (I'm also an October baby).  I didn't suffer any for it.  But those were the age guidelines, it wasn't requested, ya know?

    So yeah, she may do well starting K at 4, but she's got 13 years of school ahead of her.  I say let it happen naturally!   

    Pam - Mom to Tyler David 10/23/94, Tristan Hal 3/11/06, Melinda Rose 7/22/07 imageimageimageimageimage
  • 5 by sept 1st :)
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  • imageartsake:

    Is there any kind of flexibility with that?  I'm just thinking Cassidy may be really bored if she's older than many of the kids.  I obviously don't need to make this decision any time soon, but she's always been incredibly verbal and has hit just about every milestone super early...

    This question arises out of some budget planning of having two kids in daycare versus having a nanny and the possibility of private school on the horizon.  I felt I needed to explain so you don't all think I'm super crazy for thinking about kindergarten already!

    I was able to promote younger kids from prek to 1st grade. I taught kindergarten in a private prek/k school and I would often have older preschoolers in my class that would end u following my k curric and I was able to send them straight to 1st grade. I'm not sure how it would work from prek to K, but I am sure there is some kind of way to do it. 

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  • BUT I have to agree with the other. Kindergarten shouldn't be rushed! There are ways to challenge kids in all areas. I've had a few super smart kiddos, but there was always something I could challenge them on and any good teacher (prek too)should pick up on this quickly and adapt their expectations so that no one gets too bored. 
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  • I completely agree with not rushing it.  Maddie is an Oc 13th baby, so she will be almost 6 with two years of preschool going into K.  It was also the reason we didn't send her to a formal preschool until this year.  I teach elementary (and have done most grades) and have even with these children who are incredibly advanced academically, I find a lot lacking in the social areas.  I would send her to K on time and if they need to make changes, they will suggest them later on.  I do understand you on the cost thought.... that was the most painful part of the law change.
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