Did anyone opt out of kindergarten?

We did for my oldest! We did not to JK and it was great for him! He jumped right into SK and didn’t miss a beat! He’s in grade one and I will say I’m glad he got one year of kindergarten in only for the sake of the adjustment to change ins schedule was a lot and it was nice he had a year of simple fun before starting into more of the actual school work in grade 1

My oldest will be going into grade 1 instead of Kindergarten. Technically she could have started Kindergarten last year but i felt she was not quite ready for it.

My kid will be going to nursery in September. But that's because grandma babysits her all day and I feel she needs to socialize outside of family members. She's with her sister all day too, so they need some time apart for her to learn how to play with other kids.

I work in a preschool room, and there are always a handful of parents (maybe less than a handful actually) that opt out of either jk or both. Definitely opting out, jk tho is the main option. I'd say it really depends on the child 100% Since parents are supposed to know their children's strengths and needs, then they know if their child would benefit from picking up bonus skills that are helping with the transition to grade one. I will say that social-emotional skills are something that must not be taken lightly. I see too many children struggling either because they are socializing with kids/adults younger themselves or older. Play dates are cool, but structured settings do support optimal development.

@Nikeisha thanks for your insight. What skills do they need for grade 1? I would think that unstructured, play-driven setting would be best for development at this young age.

Unstructured play is beneficial, but let's be honest, are u leaving ur child to do whatever. It will be guided. At some point, an adult is offering some sort of structure. Unless you have a genius/ super organized and responsible 2 5 year old on your hands... Stuff that prepare you for grade one that is done in preschool/ kindergarten are writing simple sentences, reading books with familiar sight words, gotta have some level of emotional regulation, and active listening and critical thinking( beginning level).

I never realized it was optional! Following to learn from others 😊

Personally would not opt out. Even daycare has been beneficial for my son. My son is extremely intelligent but needs support for some of the social emotional skills needed for elementary school. I wish I could provide that structure, socialization, and level of activity at home but I simply cannot do all the activities with him that he does at daycare. My sister tried to convince me to put him in kindergarten a year early because he’s likely bored sometimes in his current setting but I think he’s still not there yet socially or with active listening and emotional regulation.

This is actually the first time that I’m hearing this. Do all provinces do this?

We have a 3 year old, we will be homeschooling so he will do kindergarten at home just as he is currently doing preschool at home. I prefer this as he has so much more time to be play driven and only spend 30 minutes doing preschool then kindergarten we move up to 45 minutes of structured learning a day. He still will have time to play outside, do sensory play, independent play, read, and do his activities which I feel is more balanced at that age. If you are capable to provide structure and some support to learn basic age appropriate skills you can keep them home. Depending where you are if you classify it as homeschooling you can get funding for supplies and field trips for you guys. If you still want the socializing but just feel your child isn't ready you could potentially hold back a year I believe

My daughter didn’t do kindergarten. She’s 7now and in grade 2 homeschool

I have been on both sides of this fence, kinder, not kinder, parent and also preschool/JK carer. Age seems to be a big factor in my experience. I feel as you do that 4yrs old is to young. Through experience I've seen how putting them in a structured situation before the age of 5 or 6 curbs their imagination, and also sometimes ability to play independently outside of structured settings. If those are things you value and would like your child to have as stronger skills, then I would wait to enroll. I will now be homeschooling my last kiddo😅