Jojo -
very glad to hear about the reading coming together! Also glad that your daughter is having fun now.
First question - the 'learn your letters' kindy - how many hours a day? This seems to make a huge difference. Kids seem to be able to tolerate the half days and bug out with the full day programs of 'b' says 'buuu'.
Too bad you can't keep her in 'play-based' pre-kindy until she is ready for the 1-2 year combined program. Or 3 days in the 1-2 class, and the other 2 homeschooled. Or half days in the 1-2 program. Get the idea? Try to think of the school's offerings as a menu, and put together a plan based on her needs.
As for the handwriting - I would try 'hothousing' a bit at home with the 'handwriting without tears' materials. They are quite good, and you can pretend to be working with Miss 7, and let DD4 'demand' a turn. If you want to spend a bit more money, there is a cool 'print tool' that breaks down the elements of good handwriting in a simple, clear way that made a huge difference to my DS12, getting an overview of the goal that was more 'how the page looks' than 'how the letters look.' Your insurance may even cover visits with an occupational therapist to help with handwriting if it's beyond what you can do. (not sure how this works in Australia - or if you can find a therapist who would see things your way - but it doesn't hurt to ask)
On the plus side, one approach for HG and beyond kids is to take ANY offered skip, even knowing that there will be rough spots, just to try and get near your child's readiness level. Early skips have the advantage of giving kids the best chance of having long, strong friendships. Afterall, a 4 year old playing with an 7 year old is a lot less scary than an 11 year old playing wtih a 14 year old - so you might want to make the most of the years that are 'easy' to age mix.
Another advantage is that the teacher have 'permission' to attribute her differences to giftedness rather than to 'bossiness' 'spoiled' or 'ADHD.'
My best advice ever is - "Go Sit in the planned target classroom" sit in the classroom 1 year older as well. Sit and observe and imagine. You know much more about your daughter than you can put into words. Observing the activities in the target classroom and mentally adding a year of development isn't a perfect plan, but it is the best you have. Also you might get a feeling of the teacher - how flexable, how much of a sence of humor, how self-confident - all important for our kids! The teacher matters much more than the number on the door.
I would plan the visit now, order the HWT books, and if you can defer the decision for a month, then get started hothousing handwriting before you open your mouth.
I was early enteranced with terrible handwriting, and I think it would have gone better if folks had been very upfront with me about - handwriting is a motor skill that will come in time - this classroom has the most to teach your mind - there is no perfect classroom for you, but this is the best we could do, and that will be ok.
Love and More Love,
Grinity
