What's your question about parenting for our life coach Joanne Mallon? Send it in to this address and say if you'd like your name changed.

Sue asks:

I have a 27-month-old daughter and we have been looking at pre-schools and primary schools in our area. Only one of them has received a good OFSTED report, the others only achieved satisfactory. With the education system appearing to be failing I have no confidence in enrolling her in our local schools.

I am also horrified at the governments plans to bring in compulsory sex education for 5-year-olds. I am fully aware children need to be taught these things but not at 5 years old.

I have been investigating the possibility of home educating as I am fortunate enough to be a stay at home mum and can put the time an effort into her education. We can obtain a curriculum-based study pack so she will be learning in line with other children but we can also add in important lessons (such as history, etc), which appear to be disappearing from schools. We can also arrange for private tutorials with other home ed children. She will attend a local after school club for 2 hours 3 days a week and a drama and music club on a Saturday along with P.E and Gym club so will get plenty of socialisation with other children.

What are your views?

Here's life coach Joanne's reply:

Dear Sue

I have spoken to several mothers who considered home schooling when they started looking at the options for their first child. But on closer examination, this was prompted by fears about letting go, the education system and how their child would cope. I think the issue to get clear in your own mind is whether you're backing into home educating because you don't like the other options, or whether you're moving towards it because it genuinely seems like the best path for your child.

Personally, in your situation I would keep your options open. Your daughter is only two, so she won't be starting school for at least two years. Perhaps you'll move to another area in that time. Perhaps you'll move to another country - in some areas of Europe children don't start school until they're seven. Perhaps you'll have another child. Perhaps you'll win the lottery and opt to go private.

Ofsted reports can be useful, but they don't tell the whole story. Talk to as many parents as you can about the local schools to get an insider's point of view. If you don't know any yet, be brave and stop a parent in the street. I've had several strangers stop me with a "Is this school any good?" question when we've been walking home, so people do do this.

With regards to sex education, the government has stated that parents will be allowed to withdraw their child from these lessons if they choose (more information on that on the government website). They have also stated that five-year-olds will be taught about different kinds of relationships, managing their emotions and physical changes to their bodies in childhood. Personally, I feel this is fine, and I trust my child's school to teach this in an age appropriate way. It's not like they'll be given an adult mag and left to get on with it.

There's a longer feature here which explains home schooling in more detail. Or take a look at Deborah Durbin's book Teach Yourself Home Education. By all means make plans for home school, but perhaps also apply to the best local school so that you have that option should you wish to take it.

Good luck with whatever you decide

Joanne

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