Undecided

Hi Lucy You have probably worked this out already, but it's always nice to get a reply. I have been in a similar situation very recently and looking at what years my children would go into in Jan 2016. My 9 year old, in UK year 5 now and who will not be 10 until after April 2016, would start the new school year 2016/17 in SA in year 4 My 8 year old, in UK year 3 now and who will not be 9 until after April 2016, would start the new school year 2016/17 in year 3 This just reflects the later age at reception intake and the different school year start. My 4 year old, currently in reception in the UK and in her second year at her school having been to nursery there, would only be going into Kindergarten in SA in January. It seems a big jump in years from the UK but actually, if we lived in Scotland rather than England the reception intake age is along similar lines in that children should be min 4yrs 6 months. In SA from what i have understood it is 4 yrs 9 months. In England it is 4yrs 1 day. From what i can gather this means that they move onto secondary education a couple of years later and for a shorter time, but that sounds like a positive to me...rather than a little one off to high school the day after their 11th birthday Hope that if i am mistaken, that someone with more knowledge jumps in. Loads of luck with your move

Thanks for taking the time to give such a detailed reply Snifter...and for deciphering my typos! As i understand it, the job offer is permanent but the move is made on a temp sponsored visa initially, then would sponsor transition to pr after 2 years. I am not sure of the details as not read over all the documents yet but presume that a direct entry pr visa has longer processing times i.e delayed start dates. I do understand that approaching it with an open mind will work out best and for both my children who are among the youngest in their classes i hope it could be of huge benefit, my biggest concern would be if we had to return to the UK when my eldest would be in high school and he found it a harder transition. But then who knows the impact or benefits that living in another country may offer him too...oh to have a crystal ball Thanks again for the quick response. Sarah

Hi folks My husband has been offered a job in Adelaide and we are considering a move over from the north-west with our 4 children. They will be 9,8,4 & 2. At the moment the oldest 3 are all in school full time as my 4 year old is in reception (birthday end of July). As i understand it, when we move she would be looking at going into kindergarten not pre-primary. I wondered if any parents or teachers could give me a bit of advice on the curriculum/early years education at this stage? This year she will cover basic phonics up to diagraphs/triagraphs, letter formation and today i have a meeting at school about how they teach reading. I have an image of kindergarten being more set up like nursery..which im sure is likely to be a bit off track but i'd be really grateful if anyone could set me straight? I suppose i have a few concerns, about all 3, that as they will be moving down years, if the move does not become permanent, will it have a big impact their on return to the UK? I dont want to cause any offence, and realise that there is always a leap if faith element to big decisions..I just want to be armed with as much info as i can to make a well informed decision. Thanks for taking the time to read. Sarah