My daughter is going to 'Unschool' her DD

Don't despair - there is more than one way of getting an education and there is a lot of evidence that small children don't need to be getting into reading as early as we do in this country.

Once the child is 5 your DD will have to register the fact that she is going to home school her (which is what this amounts to) and she will be monitored.

It is unfortunate that she has set up a negative expectation about bullying if she goes to school, but that cannot be undone now.

The school of which I am a governor does allow for children to be part educated in school and part home schooled, so there may be other options as time goes by.

Your DD has her own views on life and it is hard to stand back I know but getting too heavy about it at this stage might lead to a rift that might inhibit you staying in there to provide other valuable influences.

I would not worry about the lack of routine as long as the child is happy - I have seen lots of children brought up in different ways and it all comes out in the wash - certainly don't worry about the bedtime and sleeping with Mum. Once upon a time we all slept with our Mums.

The school environment can be great for some children and a real trial for others - it should not be seen as the only way forward. Successive governments' interference has been detrimental to schools.

I would despair too, F&C.
Life is hard enough, but to wrap them up in cotton wool will be like holding a polybag full of air under water....it will pop up somewhere, totally unprepared for real life.

Having said that, I have known some very successful home schooled children, who have benefitted from a wide range of experiences, mainly from secondary age onward. One has gone on to gain multiple degrees at Oxbridge and is now a lecturer. A well rounded young man indeed.

However, I do believe (and we are all different) that children benefit from structured routines, being set parameters within which to conform and learning friendships and sharing.

I have no solution to your dilemma, but know I'd feel the same, given the same circumstance's.

I would be upset too. The very term 'unschooled' irritates me because you can't possibly unschool someone who has never been!
I think that she will find that she can't do it on benefits- she will be expected to work. I would just bide your time - there is nothing you can do at the moment.

I think you can be comforted by the fact that the local authority will keep a close on her. T hey will make sure her education progresses satisfactorily. It isn't only schools that get inspected. She is still very young. I wouldn't worry just yet.

Could the 2 threads be united please our dear moderators- thanks.

Unfortunately, and surprisingly to me, this is not the case jinglebellsfrocks. She can refuse any visits! The LA can only insist if there are real causes for concern.

But I thought it was the law that children have to receive an education, whether at home or at school. How can a parent refuse visits to show that the law is being adhered to?

A good question but they can.

I am not sure that is right. I know people who home school and they submit their plans to the LA. I would not say that the inspection process is faultless, but it is definitely there.

I am a long time reader of Mumsnet and I can assure you that they can refuse visits. I know people who homeschool and they always have visits and co operate, but they know others who won't even answer the door. They don't have to co operate.

Leticia is right It seems very un-regulated. Amazingly so.

It is all explained here
They are monitored more if withdrawn from school. The LEA won't even know about OP's grandchild- it is much easier for them to slip through the net.

Long time reading of Mumsnet and the fanatical types told me so. They stand upon their rights- and their right is not to have any supervision from LEA. I disagree entirely. I think the LEA should give this mother a few months and be in there- but they can only do that if invited or do done has real cause for concern for the child's welfare.

Sorry - invited or someone raises concerns for the child's welfare. A rather hippy type mother would not be a cause.

I think this is a wind-up.

There are five threads on this now.

I would have thought the best bet was not having benefits paid. As a tax payer I don't want to finance it!

Ah well- much cheaper for the State, not to have any responsibility for a child's education and welfare. I shall be blunt- but I'll call it child abuse and neglect. Every child is entitled to have a good quality education.

I don't know why there are so many threads but I can't see it as a wind up- lots home educate against grandparent's wishes.

If they don't co-operate then the LA can take them to court.

Five threads!

Are there different rules for LEA supervision depending on where in the UK home schooling takes place?

Thinking about it, I havent clicked on the links, so my question may be covered there.

School Attendance Orders
"If it appears to the local authority that a child of compulsory school age is not receiving a suitable education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise, then they must begin procedures for issuing a School Attendance Order5. The order will require the child’s parents to register their child at a named school. If they fail to comply with the order the parent can be prosecuted." Seems clear enough to me! I suppose it depends on how the LEA view it.

I am a grandmother, and I home school my grandson three days a week; his mother teaches him the other two.
Not all home schooling is against the grandparents' wishes.

When you decide to take your child out of school, you have to send a plan to the education authority. His mother had to send a couple of ideas for lesson plans. We have not had a visit yet from the authority.
He is autistic, and was statemented. The authority no longer pays anything towards his education. I pay a lot.

I keep a diary of what we do every day, but nobody has asked to look at it yet.