Anyone here homeschooling? UK

[LilMiss_91]

My son is only 2 & 1/2yrs at the minute but I'm already thinking about schooling options. He will attend a Montesorri nursery from 3-5 regardless as he's a Summer born.
There are really only 2 schools in our catchment area that I will be able to get to (I don't drive and OH works too early to take DS to school) and I'm not convinced about either of them. I was homeschooled along with my 3 older siblings. My OH on the other hand, went to school (so he might take a bit of convincing, but the way I look at it, I would be the one doing the educating or alternatively the school runs).
Just looking for any insights? When did you start? How did you start? How do you decide what to focus on? Do you use book learning like a school would or a more hands on approach? Pros and cons you've found?
Thanks in advance

 

[misspriss]

I am not in the UK so I can't offer thr specifics, but I will be home schooling my kids. I also have a 2.5 year old.

I was home schooled along with my two siblings, DH went to public and private school and we both agree homeschool is the way to go. We both feel that I gained a lot of critical thinking skills that were not taught in the public school setting.

I have researched it a bit, I plan to start him when he is 6 turning seven, maybe do a relaxed kindergarten year, I plan right now to use a planned program that uses a classical approach, the Mother of Devine Grace I think it is called (I am Catholic). Feel it out from there. I think I just have to submit a form before the start of school the year he is 6?

My mom used a totally different approach (at least when we were older) and it was a bit mitch and match, pretty good.

 

[Tacey]

We take an autonomous approach so never really 'started' as such. We just carried on going to the places we liked going to and following the children's interests. Our home ed community is fantastic, so our biggest issue is not being too busy! I'd really recommend getting to know other home educators in your area as it helps once your child are of legal school age. It's lovely that your son might be a second generation home educated child

 

[kittylady]

Are you on facebook? There are local groups that may be able to give you more information. We are going to be home educating but will be following a child led approach and tailoring their education around their interests. We already go to groups, I have a 3.5 year old, a 15 month old and I'm now 9 weeks pregnant. My eldest would normally start school this september (though there is no legal requirement to provide an education till the term after a childs 5th birthday) but she is staying home.

We have so many friends already and there's something on every day, they are more socialised than their friends that go to school. There is a thriving community here in the west midlands.

 

[kittylady]

Try educationotherwise.net to start you off

 

[SarahBear]

I'm in the USA, so I can't speak to country specifics, but I will be homeschooling. I don't believe standard schools are ideal learning environments for the majority of students. I will also be sending my kids to preschool because there is a preschool in my area that is in line with my educational philosophy. We can't afford their school age prices, so home schooling it is! We are going with an un-schooling philosophy which means that we will be providing materials and exposure, but teaching and learning will be child-led. If Violet decides she really likes reading and butterflies but doesn't want to touch math, then that's what we'll focus on. If she decides that math is really cool and she wants to do algebra at 10 but still can't read, then algebra is what we'll focus on. We will use real life as well as books and online and community resources. When Violet is a bit older, I'd like to get some work books to just to have around. Right now we have a subscription to Starfall.com. With this style of "home schooling," there's really no adjustment from pre-school to school age because it's just an extension of the learning that happens in the early years of life. If, however, my kids want to go to regular school, I'm fine with that too.