Hi,
can anyone in Canada now, tell me when the cut off time for schools is. Here in UK it is first week in september, I was told it may be end of October there. In that my son who is now 4, will be 5 on 26 october, he would be able to start school in 2005. He would be one of the youngest, but has been at pre-school in Uk since he was 2.

Hi Wendy

It's probably best to check directly with the Halifax Regional School Board - www.hrsb.ns.ca - although probably some of the regulars from NS will know anyway. The site isn't all that user friendly, but they do have a 'contact us' section.

The school cut-off date varies throughout Canada. It is the end of December for Ontario and, I think, February, for Alberta. I would imagine your son will be able to start school in September 2005 and, as you say, will probably be one of the youngest.

We are in Ontario and my son just made it in as he was born at the very end of December so he is the youngest in his class. I was worried about him being the youngest, but he has coped really well - he had been in pre-school in the UK since he was 3.

Sorry I couldn't have been more helpful!

Chris

The issue we found is that you can't start early ( 5 by Dec 31 in MB) but once your in the program the rules change, we have 2 kids a year up for their age (Aug ), a friend's Dec 27th boy didn't do well in grade 5 so he is repeating the year. Does great now feels more comfortable.

If you're looking at Alberta, you also have the option to hold kids back a year ... most grades have a two year age span ... with double grade combined classes, that gives a three year age span.

In Ontario it runs for the full year, Jan 1-Dec. 31.

If your child turned 5 in October 2004, they should've been going into senior kindergarten in September 04.

Born January 1-Dec. 31 2000 kids would have started school Sept. 2004 in Ontario. Some would be 4, some would be 3(if born after Sept).

We have Junior Kindergarten (born 2000) start in 2004, Senior Kindergarten(born 1999) start in 2004, then Grade 1 etc (born in 1998) start in 2004.

Hi Wendy, he will start school next September. The cut off date is the end of October so if they are 5 before then, then they will start that September.

Hope you had a good Christmas and I will get around to mailing you soon (once we are bug free here!!!lol)

Hi Jo,

thanks for that info, that is good news for me, so he will just get in within 4 days. Don't mind him being the youngest as he has been at pre-school since age of 2 so he a bright spark, i think anyway.

Hi Jo,
just been talking to hubby and he has confused me, he thinks i have it wrong. If Samuel is 5 on October 26 2005, he will still be 4 years old in the September 2005, so will he start full time school being 4 years old.

Hi Jo,
Could you please contact me too once you are bug free? Have sent you a few pms but no reply. Maybe you have IT probs.
All the best for the New Year, speak to you soon

Sue

Hi Wendy

I'm pretty certain the cut off date at the schools in Fall River is 1st Oct. My daughter just scrapes in (D.O.B 26th Sept) and I'm sure we looked into this and asked the question when we visited. If I'm right, your little boy won't start until Sept 06. Hope that helps.

Suzanne.

Hi Sue and Wendy,

Yes Wendy that is correct he will be 4 when he starts. In the Uk the cut off date is the 31st August but here it is the 31st October. If there is any child born between September/October (not too sure about the starting date) 1999 and October 31st 2000 then they will start Grade Primary this coming September. Sam will be fine as in the Uk they learn quite a lot before they even start school so it makes no difference him being one of the youngest. Danny is a July baby and was very slow in the Uk at school but here has been the making of him and he is excelling in everything (including how to be the class joker I think!!lol)

Sue I did get your pm's but we've all been hit by a terrible bug which just about everyone in NS has gone down with over Christmas. Danny ended up in hospital the week before Christmas with a cricked neck but school sent him home like he had full blown meningitis which was a bit worrying. I shall get over the intial clearing up after Christmas and drop you a line. As for the dates in January, thats not a problem so beers it is!!!

Got side tracked mid message so didnt see your reply until afterwards. Is Fall River in the HRM? Sorry but Im way over the other side of town so im not sure. It could be that they come under a different category maybe but thinking about it it could well be the 1st October. Like someone said before Wendy, check with the Halifax school board website. When the kids go back to school next week I'll email their principal and see what he says about it for you.

Hi all,

I have just had email back from halifax school board and they say it is October 1st cut off, so have emailed back and asked if there are any circumstances where a school will except my son as he has been at pre-school since 2 years old. It is a shame if he can't go in september, but will have to wait another year. Jo are you sure your info is right? By the way when you have got over your illness Stella said give her a call she needs a haircut. Do you still have her number?

Suzanne, thanks for that so good news your child gets in. What school are they going to?

Hi wendy, I think the infomation I was told was wrong and it is 1st Oct rather than the 31st Oct. Sorry my mistake. No I dont have Stella's number so I will pm you mine and pass it onto her so she can call me.

Cheers Jo.

Sorry to hear you've all been under the weather. We've had similar trouble over here. Glad to hear you're on the mend. Enjoy you're New Year and speak to you soon.
Sorry everyone for completely going off the subject, I'll let you get on with the subject in hand, all the best for 2005 to you all,
Sue