How Does the Age Requirement Work and Does It Work for Everyone?

Updated on February 28, 2008
J.C. asks from Norristown, PA
12 answers

Hi, my daughter was born at the end of December and she will be 3 at the end of this year. I am looking into schools that she can attend when she turns 3 and I see that they require her to be age of 3 by Aug 31st. Does that mean she can't enroll until Sept of next year?? She has been to classes and schools and the teachers thinks that she's already 3 by what she's capable of and I feel like if I have to wait until next year when she's alost 4 to put her in 3 year old classes, it would be too late for her.
I'm hoping that I'm juts not understanding it right and maybe someone can explain this to me, especially the parents who have kids that are born after Aug 31.
Thank you so much!

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Thank all of you so much!! I've learned so much and realized things that I was not thinking about before and I'm so glad that you guys are out there to help.
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H.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I am a preschool/kindergarten teacher and I have a little one with a Sept 11 birthday - so I can answer from teacher and parent perspective....

The age requirements are set by each school district and most in this area are Aug 31st/Sept 1st. That means children need to be 5 before that date to begin kindergarten. The preschools typically work back from that so many programs follow that same deadline for children entering 3 or 4 year old preschool programs. There are some programs that either follow different cut-offs or have additional classes to catch those kids that just miss the traditional cut-off. These programs often have 3's, 4's and pre-k classes. Should your child begin preschool when she is still 2, she will end up having 3 years of preschool/pre-k unless your school district has a late deadline or is extremely lenient to let her begin kindergarten early.

My daughter is in her second year at St Paul's Preschool in the North Hills. It's a wonderful program and does allow for those late birthday kids by having a class for younger and older students and also a pre-k class for those 4 year olds that are not eligible for kindergarten. It is a nationally accreditted program. They do have a 2 day (half-day) program for young 3 year olds. If this is in your area, I'd be happy to pass along any info to you.

As a parent, it may seem pretty silly to have to make your child wait another whole year before beginning school. Often girls can seem more mature or a child might be reading early or have strong academic skills and a couple months doesn't seem like a lot. The reality is that it is my experience from having taught children that were past the opfficial cut-off or were late summer birthdays, there is a difference when in a group with the older kids. In so many ways tehy end up standing out as the babies in the class. Sometimes they stand out academically other times it is social development where they lag behind. They just don't tend to be as well rounded as the older children. As a parent of a child with one of those late birthdays, I try to remind myself that it is a gift because I get to have her at home with me that much longer before having to start into the many many years of school. She will be the first one getting her driver's license and will get to be a leader because she had more time to grow in confidence than if I had pushed her ahead. While teaching I never saw an incidence where waiting and following the age guidelines put the child at a disadvantage. There were plenty of children that had various problems because they were pushed along too early though.

The curriculum is getting pushed lower and lower so more and more is expected at a younger age. By letting your daughter be an older child in the class, she'll still be challenged. Also, many parents of summer kids either elect to have their child wait to have extra growing time or preschool teachers suggest it. So, your daughter would not be the youngest in her class.

If you have other questions or concerns, please feel free to ask. Or if you want any preschool info...

2 moms found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Pennsylvania law states that a child must be 5 years old by the start of the school season. (The exact date depends on when that particular school district starts) The law also states that a child must be 6 years old before the start of the school season. (Also depends on the district start date) My oldest daughter has a September 14 birthday and my son has a September 5 birthday. They both missed the cut off date. Putting your child in preschool early will not help boost her ahead whether she is ready or not. Enjoy the precious time you have with your child, they grow too fast. Don't rush her off to school if you don't have too. If you want her to be interactive with other children and she's not already enrolled, enroll her in daycare part-time, or get her together with a playgroup in your area. My oldest child is no worse off because she started Kindergarten and then turned 6 soon afterward. I don't expect my son to be any worse off either. I actually believe he will be ahead of the rest of his class.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

Depending on where you live, there are usually preschools with a 2 year-old program. Basically what this means is that your child will start pre-school while she is still 2. During that school year she will turn 3 as will all or most of her classmates. My oldest child also has a Dec. b'day and he went into the 2 class knowing lots of basic things. The program was still very appropriate for him. My second child has a summer b'day and is one of the youngest in his 2 program. Many pre-schools have websites, and you can always visit to find the right pre-school match for your child. Good Luck

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from York on

hi jin. my sister is a pre school teacher at 4th united methodist church on market street in york. this topic is constantly causing confusion for parents only more so with the 2 year old class, which she teaches. im not sure about all pre schools... but how this one works.... my daughter will be 2 in november. even though she wont be 2 yet, she would be allowed to attend the 2 year old class and enroll this coming sept. however, you MUST be 3 in order to be in the 3 year old class. it doesnt make sense to me?? so according to my sister... some kids take the 2 year old class 2 years in a row in the parents are just looking to get them interacted and in some sort of pre school. so if i were to enroll my daughter this sept when she is only 20 months old... she can go, but the following year when she is almost 3, she will have to stay behind in the 2 year old class and wait until she is almost 4 to go to the 3 year old class. its so strange. i understand they want to be fair and have a more compatable age appropriate group... but according to my sister, her 2 year old class has such a wide variety and range of kids and their abilities. the older ones who are not quite 3 obviously can do more mostly than those who arent quite 2. my personal feeling on my situation, is to have my daughter in any age group they allow her in. as long as she is interacting and learning to be with other children, i think it will be beneficial to her. but as far as your pre-school, if they dont offer a 2 year old class? and you really want her to be enrolled, maybe look for a preschool that has classes for younger children. i hope this was helpful for you and let me know how it turns out! congrats on having such a smart, advanced daughter! she sounds like she deserves to be in the higher class too if you ask me! :o)

1 mom found this helpful
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C.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi Jin,

I don't know anything except my own experience - I was a November baby, and because of testing, was placed into Kindergarden at age 4. I started college at 17. Nothing major, seems like that is what you want for your child.

I spent my school years as the youngest in my class, and looking back, can say that stigma and the lack of maturity on my part were a detriment. I had very few friends, and those I did also were the young ones in the class - no friend whose birthday was before September. Would I have done things differently, if i could have? Probably not, because I am where I am and it's done. I am definitely going to place my children in an age-appropriate level, whatever the determining factors are, and if they are way way beyond intellectually, have them enrolled in the Gifted classes and enrichment extra-curriculars.
I felt a large pressure during high school to be better than I was because I was younger than everyone but supposedly at "their level' in my brain. It was unecessary, if you ask me.
It's still with me today.

but that's me.

good luck
C.

1 mom found this helpful

T.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

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1 mom found this helpful
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A.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

I also have a daughter born in December 05! You're right...the 3 year old programs will require her to be 3 by Sept. 1 (depending on where you live). But, I know of a bunch of great 2-year old programs. You can look into those and see if they will keep up with your daughter. The preschool where I send my kids separates the classes by age as much as possible, so that the kids born from Sept-Dec are kept together, and the kids that are born later are in the next class. Maybe you could find something like that? I'm in Bala Cynwyd--just email me if you want more info on local preschools.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

Are you talking about kindergarden at age 5? If not I ahve no clue what you are talking about.

I know for kindergarden it all depends on where you live and what the school requires. My oldest's birthday is Dec 15 and she had to wait until the next year to go to kindergarden. Our local school would not make an execption. I personally think soemtiems they do better when you wiat becasue of maturity levels.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Harrisburg on

look for schools that offer a 2.5 yo class my preschool does. it worked great for my son

S. w

1 mom found this helpful
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C.K.

answers from Philadelphia on

Jin, I am a teacher and those requirements are going to apply not only to a 3 year old class but also when your child starts Kindergarten! My son was born in October and I am going to run into the same problem. Just think how much more advanced they are going to be in the classroom! Good Luck

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H.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Unfortunately you are understanding 100% correctly. The best thing that you can do is continue to search for a school that will accept her prior to age 3. My son's birthday is September 7th and I was told that he would not be able to start kindergarten until a year later because his birthday was 7 days too late. I searched and searched until I found a school that was going to accept him. I was VERY lucky.

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M.N.

answers from Philadelphia on

Schools differ in the way they treat the age requirement. I am the director of Creation Corner, a preschool & kindergarten in Broomall. We have programs for children aged 18 months to 6, and can accomodate anyone within that age span. We accept children into our Toddler Learning Center, Preschool, and Kindergarten first based on age, and then on developmental issues. Children who are 3 and potty-trained are welcome in our preschool program at any time of the year. Check us out in the Mamasource ads!

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