We will be moving to ZH canton early next year. Our twins are starting Year 1 in September here in the UK. They will be midway through Year 1 when we move there. My question is: do they join Year 1 halfway in ZH? Or do they have to start Y1 again in August? Also, are twins separated in two different classes like here?
A bit more information: They are 6 years (May borns) and do not speak any german. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Kids start in grade 1 in August, if they are 6 years old by July 31. So they will likely be placed in Grade 1 according to their age. The school may suggest placing them in the 2nd year of Kindergarten in order to learn German, and then entering grade 1 in August 2020. This may not be a bad idea. There is no stigma attached to being a year older here. Twins sometimes get separated but not always, you may have some say in that, it also depends on the size of the school and available space in classes.
The thing is, we moved once before and they repeated nursery twice here. And they were made fun of for being the oldest kids in class. I am wary of making the same mistake twice (they will be 7 years in August 2020). I am not very bothered about their age vs education and ok with it if it isn't an issue in schools in ZH though. Are there are other 7 year olds in grade 1? Do we have a say in the matter in which grade they are placed?
It's not uncommon for kids to repeat years here so there isn't really the stigma you might find in the UK. My son's class had 2 kids repeating 2nd Kindergarten and no-one batted an eye.
I know I'm just one mum but it really doesn't seem to be "a thing" whoever you talk to.
Works the other way round too. Kids who are advancing much quicker than their classmates are sometimes pushed up a grade if they are also mature enough.
By the time my son got to the final year of school there were probably about 30% of the class who had repeated a year (or even 2) at some stage and were a year ( or more) older than they would normally have been.
It’s really not a big deal here and there is no stigma attached to it.
Yes, you do normally have a say as well. If they are generally bright kids, outgoing, social, and can already read and write in English and do basic math operations up to 20 it may make sense to just let them finish out 1st grade here. If they are shy, quiet and a little immature, KG may make more sense. Be prepared to explain the reason behind your wishes when you register them.