Should I hold my August born kid back a year for reception?

I didn’t even think about doing it for my autistic son (July). Academically he was fine however it was more social skills and independence that he struggled with however it was beneficial him starting then as we needed evidence for funding and an EHCP.
My daughter is December however started school pre verbal and it made a massive difference her starting school and although she was in nursery the transition was easier for her. We were also able to access more Speech therapy with her being in school. Despite this academically she’s on track.

Does she attend nursery/preschool now? If so I’d discuss with them what their views are and how they think she will cope
If she’s hitting milestones and you’re not overly concerned I’d send her

Yes she may be the youngest, yes she may struggle to begin with, yes statistically summer born babies struggle more but that doesn’t mean your summer born baby will!

When I worked in a preschool, we always advised that children should start school in the following September after their 4th birthday regardless of them being younger than their peers. This is because if you decide to hold them back a year, the school then has a choice whether they start in reception or go straight into year 1 when finally start the next year.

My July born son is on the autism pathway and I'll admit im worried about him starting school this September. We're pushing for an ehcp plan as he already has the funding for 1to1 at nursery and a sen plan but I get what you mean. Some of the children in their classes will be close to a year older than them 😭

We're also not potty trained yet as he has absolutely no interest, it's stressing me out trying to get him trained before school starts

I think with that it really depends on the school. We found reception easy in comparison to year1. My youngest went into nuture class in reception as well as she had a severe speech disorder. We only just potty trained my son but it took months for him to get it encouraged by nursery. I know sometimes intimate care is part of the ehcp. We were unlucky that we had to appeal the ehcp twice but thankfully school paid for a full time 1-1.

To add to what said; even if primary choose to admit them to reception out of their cohort
Secondary school may not and may have them join year 8 when they start and back to their ‘cohort’ which may be harder for a child to take at just 12 and trying to form friendships when everyone already has them etc than starting reception at just 4 and having the time to adapt x

not being potty trained when on the pathway and pursuing an ehcp shouldn’t be an issue for most schools who should work with you for what’s best for him

School will also support and ehcp if his needs are that high so being in the setting may be useful but also if you’re considering a send school having the school backing you that they can’t meet his needs is really helpful

You have many options as well due to his SEND needs and if he’s a summer born in your shoes I’d absolutely consider keeping him back a year but also remember he doesn’t have to start full time straight off in September he can do half days and gradually increase or not for what suits him x

Just be careful if you do, as sometimes when you hit secondary age they get moved into the correct year group. I’ve taught several children now that as they leave me at the end of year 6 have been placed into year 8.