School

I’m really anxious about this and I’m still pregnant! I do think kids need kids though so still going to send them in, but I’m already researching the best options in our area and absolutely interrogated nursery staff when we visited x

I’m exactly the same my lg is 2 and she’s doesn’t do any nursery anything like that my mum has her while I work I don’t want to send her to school either I want to home school my partner doesn’t so it’s really tough conversation at the moment as he seems to think it’s not fair to home school as she won’t learn as well and won’t socialise but I’ve done so much research into home schooling and it’s so much better so I just need to get him on my side Honestly your not on your own the more people I talk to the more say the same xx

@Paige I’m glad I’m not the only one my mum mentioned her homeschooling my little girl for me and that’s stuck with me! I know they still need to communicate with others and get their social skills and I’d make sure she does, my main concern is these schools and people. I’d rather know she’s safe and taught well than not. I wish you the best and hope it works out for you!x

My 3 kiddies all absolutely love going to school. I think it depends on the child. Home schooling sounds like a lovely thought but how do you prepare them for the big wide world and to deal with people and situations that they will face later in life. That would be my fear x

Just curious what part of going to school is scary? For many especially during Covid it’s their safe place. My daughter was preverbal when she started and wouldn’t have had the intense speech therapy and support without being in school.

@Charlotte I don’t think any child is prepared for what this life offers in situations like that going to school or not😕x

@Karen the generations of today. The teachers . The way they are taught. The people. I have over 6 friends who have ALL taken their kids out of school to home school because of the way they are taught and treated. It’s not the same as how it used to be back then it’s just getting worse. I am not worried about speech or support because I will make sure my LO gets the absolute BEST and MORE. Home schooling isn’t for everyone and that’s ok we all look after our babies different.

I was homeschooled my whole life and there were home school groups and classes that I went to and was around other kids. I had a gym class, a science class, art class, dance class. There were other classes offered. Mostly at churches and YMCA’s. You didn’t have to attend the church for religion to be involved in the classes. I would research the home schooling community in your area if you want to home school and see what is available. I think kids learn differently and for some kids homeschooling might not be the best but others would do better homeschooling. The world can be a scary place but I would try and not let fear drive your decision because fear can take over your life.

@E unfortunately I live in Suffolk which had a two year waiting period so I only had the option of going private. She needed weekly speech therapy which she now gets through an EHCP. I’ve also had the joy of trying to homeschool my oldest while taking the council to court to get a school place. It just felt really isolating. My youngest loves school. May change once she’s a teenager. Seems more relaxed than when I was a kid but then I went to a catholic school years ago. I remember I was told to stop crying after I’d fallen over a tree branch on the way to go swimming and I’d actually broken my thumb or how another decided to tell us at 8 what swear words meant. They don’t even get homework anymore.

I understand you , now children are quiet cruel and you don't know what to expect...even from teachers..I am also worried

I've gone through the same exact thought process when I gave birth to my son. I felt so much fear and anxiety constantly until I learned that we can home educate our children in the UK. I was a really good student and I would want my children to have the opportunity to go to uni etc later on as I've found that very valuable and that was the main thing putting me off of jumping straight into the idea without researching thoroughly first. HEFA have a podcast on Spotify and multiple Facebook groups (including one for parents of pre-compulsory school age children) and hearing the results of the children who have already been home educated and finished GSCEs etc, that blew my mind and sold me completely. Home education is now definitely a way forward for my family. We're already saving up for when my son and our new arrival get a bit older so that we can afford all the extra curricular activities that I'll want for them in order to give them the chance to develop their social skills to the best of their abilities

@Karen bullying from both teachers and other children. I remember 5 or 6 years ago a 15/16year old London girl was murdered by a group of other girls, over a boy. I witnessed with my own eyes a teenage girl being ganged up on waiting for the after school bus. She was scared to leave the bus station. 1 girl wanted to fight her and there were 10 other teens just gathered around smiling and waiting to see some action. A teacher was fired for separating children fighting on the school grounds because "he had no right to physically touch the children" and that was big news (I think he was rehired after the backlash). I read on here how an autistic boy was bullied by a group of girls and the teachers were made aware and then did whatever they could to dismiss the worried mother and not do anything about the girls. Stabbings happening everywhere now with gangs using children and teenagers as drug and knife mules. How is that not scary? 😅

@Stella absolutely disgusting what kids have to go thru in this day and age. Exactly why I don’t want to take my LO to school! Not even to go through that but to witness anything. It’s horrid!

@E I couldn't agree more with everything in your comment 💯

I’m thinking to home school at least for first years. The material is not too complicated for me to teach my kids and they are too vulnerable at that age to understand what’s wrong and what’s right so I think the home environment is safer. In USA homeschooling system is very advanced there are plenty of opportunities to socialize with other kids

The longer I've been on maternity leave the mote anxious I've gotten. When she was little I was like yeah go to nursery, you'll love it. Now I am like you'll love it but ahhhh!!! Bugs! Ahhh! We had such a horrible time last time she was unwell I'm now anxious about her getting sick

My little one is almost 2. I was a teacher. Left teaching last year. I'm thinking of homeschooling my little one and just having them be part of sports/activities during elementary age.

my 3 year old has a severe speech delay, so I’m worried about making sure he goes to the right school to support him with his needs should his speech not improve, aside from that not worried thankfully! Probably helps that I work within a good school!

Girl yes a post for 5 mins ago just said a man who worked at the cafeteria put his semen inside of kids school lunches … I CANT

@DeJah WHAT!😱😤 oh ffs. No words at all! SMH

@DeJah oh absolutely disgusting what on earth is going on with this world! It’s just getting worse🤯🤯

If I lived in the US I would be, what with all the school shootings! Whereas in the UK I'm fine with it, my kids have thrived in school

Don't let your own fears, insecurities, judgements etc. affect your child.

Don’t worry @Grace it won’t. I’m helping my child at the end of the day. Thank you for your concern 😊

@E how is stopping your child from going to school helping them?

@RebeccaI’m not stopping ? My child will still have all the teaching needed. Just not at school. If anything with how the teaching is going nowadays my kid will be better off taught at home than how they teach now. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but if you are not here to understand my thoughts on my child’s future then don’t comment

And what about sexual education in primary school ? Someone told me they teach kids in the UK...I found it disgusting 🫣

@Nastia you are taught about the human body, puberty, changes to your body, periods etc. you do then learn about sex which I have no issue of, it gives children a chance to learn about their changing bodies and what may happen

My son started nursery when he was 8 months old he did go to a Montessori and it was one of the best decisions I made because he was able to grow up with the other kids in his class (who he now goes to school with) also during the nursery/pre school he experience my son caught chicken poxs, flus etc so he’s immune system had built up considerably a lot, so he’s was able to fight back on germs etc.. He started reception this year and his thriving, he loves it..

@E honest join home schooling groups in your area Facebook page ages it’s amazing how homeschooled children are socialised just as much as any other child that attends a school Definitely and don’t let anyone telll you your wrong or it’s not fair on them or anything like that it’s your child and the world isn’t the nicest place and it’s only getting worse we just want what’s best there a lady on TikTok called thriving with Hannah honestly watch her videos she helps you understand home schooling she has 3 children she home schools and she works ! It’s definitely the direction I’m going to go xx

@E honestly I wouldn’t listen to comments like that my cousins in Australia were taken out of school were home schooled and traveled and they both have gone on picked to study in unis in Canada and New Zealand gone on to amazing careers they are the most life experienced and cleverest people I know ! And it’s all through not being at school ! You do what’s right for your child x

My step son is 4 and goes to nursery two full days a week and absolutely LOVES it. He's neuro divergent and they've been amazing with him and incredibly supportive of all of us as a family. Now he's got a baby sister at home too, it very much is his safe space that is for him. He's had so many experiences there and his language and social skills flourished hugely. Granted I have a baby girl and I am incredibly apprehensive about leaving her but through his experience I know she will do so well there and have a great time.

@Nastia They begin in the final year of Primary. It's not regular but like maybe once twice a year I believe. They learn about puberty, their hormones, the changes their body is due to go through. At age 16 (legal age for consent here) we got the education on contraception etc.

@Paige thank you for that! I couldn’t agree more well said 😊 x

We homeschool & while what goes on in schools isn't the main reason it's definitely becoming a factor, especially as things continue to decline in public schools. My boys are 9, 6, & 2 and homeschooling has been one of the best sacrifices & decisions we've made.