School closures/delays?

Need some intel from anyone who’s dealt with school deferrals before.

So, we actually got the extension. My kid is 6.5 right now—he would've started school at 6.10, which is why we pushed for the delay. Even the local elementary school agreed he's just not ready yet. Anyway, I'm wondering if any of you got a call from Child Protective Services asking for a statement? If so, what was that actually about?

I can't help feeling like they're out to get us. But hey, if this is just standard procedure and everyone goes through it, then whatever. It's just that every time I hear "CPS," I have a total panic attack thinking they're gonna come after us or try to take my kids. I know, sounds totally paranoid, but I can't help it. 😢

So we just got hit with another delay, and honestly, none of those social security measures were even on the table. I don't even get why they're bothering with this stuff in the first place.

I don't see how social services even come into this. What does that have to do with a school deferral?

In our case, we just got the deferral approved. The school called us in to pick up the paperwork, we dropped it off at the preschool, and that was the end of it.

Social services can barely handle their basic workload as it is, so you really think they’re gonna be tracking who got a school deferment or whatever...

You'll get a notification when the time comes, so just chill out...

Andrew Wright2 said:Need some intel from anyone who’s dealt with school deferrals before.

So, we actually got the extension. My kid is 6.5 right now—he would've started school at 6.10, which is why we pushed for the delay. Even the local elementary school agreed he's just not ready yet. Anyway, I'm wondering if any of you got a call from Child Protective Services asking for a statement? If so, what was that actually about?

I can't help feeling like they're out to get us. But hey, if this is just standard procedure and everyone goes through it, then whatever. It's just that every time I hear "CPS," I have a total panic attack thinking they're gonna come after us or try to take my kids. I know, sounds totally paranoid, but I can't help it. 😢

If you've been summoned by CPS, it usually means someone filed a report. It doesn't necessarily have to be linked to the enrollment delay, but it's possible the information came up during the processing of the delay request or things just coincided.
Was he attending preschool this year?
Is his vaccination record up to date?
Did your child mention or show something during an interview that required the caseworker to file an official report (which they are legally obligated to do)?

There is usually a reason for it.
But don't worry, they aren't just going to take your children for no reason.🤣

It could also be related to something positive. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how the rules regarding government assistance work these days since they change so often. Some types of parental care seem to go through Social Security, so if your child has a diagnosed disability or medical condition—which is likely why you got the enrollment delay, and something you might be eligible for benefits for—they might just be calling you regarding those specific services.
Make sure you respond to them as soon as possible.

So, I got summoned by Social Services because we requested an enrollment delay for school. According to the paperwork, the notice went out to us, Social Services, the local elementary school, the Department of Health, and the county records office.

Basically, my son doesn't have any disabilities or anything. We just asked for the delay because it's our legal right. He did preschool, which is mandatory anyway. He wasn't in daycare before this. Now that the delay was approved, we enrolled him in a part-time regular daycare program. Kid's fully vaccinated—all the standard stuff plus three extra shots that aren't covered. We actually had to pay for one ourselves, about $1167. Since he was born in 2010, the combo shots weren't free back then, plus we had to cover Rotavirus, Prevenar, and chickenpox.

Why the trip to Social Services? Because they need an explanation from the special education teacher at the elementary school. I actually know her—we were neighbors growing up—and she went through this exact same thing when she requested an enrollment delay for her oldest son. Totally normal kid, zero developmental issues. It’s just how it works; the official enrollment delay paperwork doesn't actually list the reason, it just says "approved."

So yeah, I have to go in and swear under oath that my kid doesn't have a disability, because if he did, we'd be eligible for certain assistance and all that...

It's a total circus just because the paperwork doesn't specify why the delay was requested or whether there are any developmental issues or disabilities involved.

Classic government. They have these massive interconnected computer systems and everyone is walking around with giant smartphones, yet instead of making life easier, they just find new ways to overcomplicate everything.

Now I have to drag both kids down to the Social Services office just to sign a statement. His medical records were already on hand, the school nurse checked him, and even the psychologist said he's fine. But nope!

We've got an appointment this Friday at 9 AM.

So, when was the little guy actually born?
I suppose if none of the specialists saw any real reason to suggest an enrollment delay, then maybe that's why you're thinking that way.
It isn't exactly the standard procedure, I guess, but hey, apparently things like that do happen sometimes, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

urbantinker8 said:So, when was the little guy actually born?
I suppose if none of the specialists saw any real reason to suggest an enrollment delay, then maybe that's why you're thinking that way.
It isn't exactly the standard procedure, I guess, but hey, apparently things like that do happen sometimes, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

But if that happens, you don't even get the delay, right? 🤷 I know a few families from this year who asked for an enrollment delay, but the school specialists didn't see a need for it. In those cases, the parents' input was ignored, and the kids just started elementary school on schedule.

Robert Rodriguez9 said:But if that happens, you don't even get the delay, right? 🤷 I know a few families from this year who asked for an enrollment delay, but the school specialists didn't see a need for it. In those cases, the parents' input was ignored, and the kids just started elementary school on schedule.

I wouldn't say that's true.
if a parent keeps pushing the whole "they're too playful" or "they aren't mature enough yet" angle, you can pretty much make anything happen, I guess.
you can see that even Lady mentioned she only asked because she had the legal right to, and her acquaintance did the exact same thing, regardless of the fact that both children were developing perfectly fine and showing no signs of struggle at all.🤷

Born Nov 18, 2010, so he’d be 6 and 10 months by the time he hits elementary school.

I told everyone the second he was born that I’d be pushing for an enrollment delay, and that's exactly what happened. Honestly? I started elementary school at 6 and it was a total nightmare for me. I don't want him going through that same struggle. At 7 and 10 months, he’ll actually have a clue what's going on and things will just be easier.

I was just checking the preschool rosters from when they were born, and there are kids up to 7 months older than him still in daycare. We're definitely not the only ones doing this.

urbantinker8 said:I wouldn't say that's true.
if a parent keeps pushing the whole "they're too playful" or "they aren't mature enough yet" angle, you can pretty much make anything happen, I guess.
you can see that even Lady mentioned she only asked because she had the legal right to, and her acquaintance did the exact same thing, regardless of the fact that both children were developing perfectly fine and showing no signs of struggle at all.🤷

Exactly. In a perfect world, you wouldn't see an enrollment delay because of stuff like that, but our reality is a little different.
I honestly don't get how these delays even happen or who is actually asking for them, but unfortunately, they're definitely out there.🙄
It’s one thing when a parent asks for an enrollment delay because they feel the child is emotionally immature or something similar, and then experts actually back that up. But if there isn't a solid reason provided, it seems like it's just a parent's subjective feeling or whatever they want, and sadly, some people actually manage to make it happen.☕

Andrew Wright2 said:Born Nov 18, 2010, so he’d be 6 and 10 months by the time he hits elementary school.

I told everyone the second he was born that I’d be pushing for an enrollment delay, and that's exactly what happened. Honestly? I started elementary school at 6 and it was a total nightmare for me. I don't want him going through that same struggle. At 7 and 10 months, he’ll actually have a clue what's going on and things will just be easier.

I was just checking the preschool rosters from when they were born, and there are kids up to 7 months older than him still in daycare. We're definitely not the only ones doing this.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound rude, but this all seems so irrational and unprofessional to me that I don't even know what else to say.
Decisions regarding enrollment delays really should be evaluated by professionals on a case-by-case basis, for specific reasons.
It doesn't surprise me at all that they're referring you to the Department of Social Services; I actually hope that becomes standard practice for situations like this.

Under which specific statute and section is this supposed right to an enrollment delay actually codified?
Securing an enrollment delay is a fundamental right granted to any child whose developmental progress does not align with their chronological age.
As for your claim that certain children were enrolled without issue despite their needs—well, appearances can be incredibly deceiving, can't they? It is quite common for parents of children with subtle developmental challenges to bypass these formal processes simply to avoid the stigma of a label being placed on their child.

The real headache here isn't just the requests themselves, it's the specialists who approve them—the ones who basically just write down whatever the parent dictates instead of actually looking at the kid. I mean, you’re always going to have parents with these super fixed ideas about how things should work, and then you've got others who genuinely worry their child won't be able to keep up, which is totally valid. Both groups have every right to ask for an enrollment delay, but that’s exactly why we have professionals on staff whose entire job is to step in and say, "Yeah, this makes sense," or, "Sorry, but no, this isn't necessary or even possible."
"Having the right to request an enrollment delay for my child" doesn't exactly mean the same thing as "having the right to be granted an enrollment delay."

I find it pretty ridiculous too. Then again, you can't really talk about a six-year-old when they're practically seven by the time school actually starts.
Andrew Wright2, my kid is just a little bit older than yours. Even with a few minor issues, the idea of asking for a delay never even crossed my mind. Honestly, I was already bracing myself for the possibility that the school district might be the ones suggesting a delay.

Ryan Stewart8 said:The real headache here isn't just the requests themselves, it's the specialists who approve them—the ones who basically just write down whatever the parent dictates instead of actually looking at the kid. I mean, you’re always going to have parents with these super fixed ideas about how things should work, and then you've got others who genuinely worry their child won't be able to keep up, which is totally valid. Both groups have every right to ask for an enrollment delay, but that’s exactly why we have professionals on staff whose entire job is to step in and say, "Yeah, this makes sense," or, "Sorry, but no, this isn't necessary or even possible."
"Having the right to request an enrollment delay for my child" doesn't exactly mean the same thing as "having the right to be granted an enrollment delay."

I think I completely agree with that.
But, I guess that's why they reached out to the NCAA in this specific instance. And honestly, let them.☕
Maybe some people will actually start questioning their own rigid assumptions before they start digging their heels in with the experts.

It’s totally insane, no matter how you look at it.

If I have the legal right to push back because I know my kid isn't ready—since I’m with him 24/7 and actually see what he can handle—then why should some school doctor decide for me? This guy, who hadn't even seen my child before today, expects him to draw a perfect circle, touch his toes, and tell him where he lives. I heard and saw this myself. That’s NOT an assessment of whether a kid is ready for kindergarten or not. IT ISN'T!

And this "doctor" should be setting an example by actually talking to kids—asking what they like, how they play, maybe having them draw their mom or dad... instead of rushing through a five-minute checkup. And we aren't the only ones dealing with this kind of nonsense.

To make things worse, when you walk into the office, the doctor just tosses his civilian clothes on the floor instead of using the damn hanger right in front of him.

So these are the "experts" deciding if someone is ready for school based on three random things? Give me a break. It’s pure, old-school bureaucratic garbage. Just everyone lumped together in one giant, mindless pile. Then they act shocked when kids don't learn at the exact same pace. People are born individuals; you have to treat every kid uniquely. We aren't clones—if we were, we'd all look the same and there wouldn't be any men or women. Even siblings have totally different personalities, let alone a bunch of random kids being tested. Kids are different, people are different... But these guys just follow a rigid checklist without any actual questions. They’re just going through the motions to get the job done so they can go home early.

Honestly, nothing has changed since my childhood. Nothing at all!

Total systemic failure.

Look, you have a legal right to free healthcare, right? But if you're never sick, why would you ever use it? Hypothetically speaking... Or do you think the health insurance premiums taken out of your paycheck actually cover the cost of seeing a doctor every month? Let's be real... they don't come close.

It is my legal right to use those services, and that's exactly what I did. Because tell me, if my kid starts school and struggles to keep up or follow lessons... are YOU going to pay for his private tutors? Are YOU going to take responsibility for the trauma caused to a child because they were pushed too hard? Are YOU going to sit with him every night and stress him out just because he "has" to learn?

The answer is no. I will. Because I'm the parent. If I can make things easier for my kid and save him from a year of misery, and I have the legal right to do so, then I'm doing it. The government gives me the green light.

Clearly, the procedure exists, it just isn't applied consistently across the US because people in offices just do whatever they want and answer to nobody. Look at what happened recently in San Francisco—kids getting caught up in legal mess and stuff like that...

If the NCAA and these doctors actually did their jobs properly, this kind of crap wouldn't happen so easily, and people wouldn't be getting screwed over. Nobody is innocent here...

I've seen plenty of these "quasi-experts"—psychologists, sociologists, whatever. Some were practically neighbors. For instance, there was this psychologist whose husband used to hunt her down through the neighborhood, yelling at her to just go home and be with her kids instead of wandering around. She worked at a school and even taught me psychology once. Total nutcase.

Then there was a school counselor who lived near me because I moved around a lot in the same city. The woman fought with her husband every single day; we had to listen to it, and she treated her two daughters so badly the little ones were terrified to even look anyone in the eye.

Now, the current school psychologist? Her dad is a complete disaster—not about me, but the whole town knows it. Her uncle tried to kill himself, her aunt is a drunk... and the people working with her at the school told me you never know which version of her you're going to get. I know plenty of people who worked at that school, including some of my former classmates.

The latest stunt was on my kid’s skin at a hospital in San Francisco. This doctor actually told me—quote, "I'm gonna screw them over enough by..."—basically saying he’ll just give them the wrong diagnosis and ignore the X-ray and MRI machines sitting right in front of him because he can't be bothered to do his actual job.

It's a total curse—well, maybe an advantage depending on how you look at it—living in a small town where everyone knows everyone's business, yet I'm supposed to trust these people? Please. I wasn't born yesterday, and I'm definitely not crazy enough to believe they can make any real assessment based on a five-minute chat.

Some of the people working with kids in my neck of the woods have pasts so dark they shouldn't even be allowed within ten feet of a child. For instance, this tennis coach—rest his soul—once admitted he slept with about 200 girls aged 12 to 17 who went through the club.

Then there's this drug addict guy from my graduating class. He runs gymnastics for kids now, supposedly because his parents did it and he thinks he's qualified. Yeah, okay.

Two guys running youth sports in my town? One of them slept with a 14-year-old. I know specifically which girl. And they both have degrees in coaching and kinesiology.

Oh, and that social worker who used to be the boss? She personally robbed people who were relying on welfare in my area. Etc., etc...

That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to these "experts" and the rest of them...

Robert Rodriguez9 said:I find it pretty ridiculous too. Then again, you can't really talk about a six-year-old when they're practically seven by the time school actually starts.
Andrew Wright2, my kid is just a little bit older than yours. Even with a few minor issues, the idea of asking for a delay never even crossed my mind. Honestly, I was already bracing myself for the possibility that the school district might be the ones suggesting a delay.

For what it's worth, mine was born in late 2010. We've been through the ringer—everything from brain hemorrhages to intensive physical therapy, plus allergies and high fevers, you name it. He survived and rehabilitated, but he still struggles a bit with speech. There is absolutely no way I would let him start school at almost eight years old.

Look, man 🤦
An assessment isn't just some three-step checklist that anyone can whip up. There are actually super detailed guidelines and specific tasks involved, and honestly, an experienced specialist can evaluate a kid even if they’re seeing them for the first time—that's literally what they get paid for. The school doctor does their part, but at the end of the day, they aren't the ones filing the request for a postponement.
I really won't even get into all the dirty laundry people throw around about every single expert who evaluates a child; I guess that's probably why they cave to these kinds of requests in the first place, since it feels like everyone thinks they know everything about everyone else. You have to love America 🤦 I mean, someone's private life is completely irrelevant as long as they're doing their job responsibly and following professional standards.
And you should probably reread what I wrote above, because you don't really have a right to get a postponement for your kid just simply because you're asking for one. You have the right to *request* it, sure, but that's pretty much where it ends.
Good luck with the NCAA and school next year, and I honestly just hope you won't end up being another example of those parents who harass teachers and professors just because their kid isn't quite there yet ☕

Every parent knows what's best for their kid—they're the ones actually living it.

Same here. My kid, my headache. Not the government's, not anyone else's. When things go south, like with health issues or whatever, nobody else is gonna jump in to save the day.

And look, this isn't some weird obsession or me just making excuses. It's straight from experience after dealing with our broken-down school system.

Latest disaster? Our local elementary school. My kid spent the whole year coasting with Cs, learning absolutely nothing and just being a total nuisance in class. Then, right at the end of the term, suddenly he's pulling Bs. The teachers basically handed him those grades just so they could be done with him.

So you've got these "experts"—yeah, right—who are supposed to be shaping kids' futures. They have all these resources like tutoring and specialized programs, yet my son didn't see a single bit of help or an adapted curriculum all year. But sure, under the watchful eye of the principal, the counselor, and the school psychologist, they just gift him passing grades to clear their desks.

"Experts"!!